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Broughton Baptist Church

Corner Dawes And First Street

History:

A Missionary Baptist Church was organized on March 13, 1880, and was called the First Baptist Church of Broughton.

The members were brothers: Samson Reeves, J. T. LeMay, Thomas A. Grimm and Aaron Saunders. The sisters were Matilda A. Reeves, Sarilda Jones and Nancy M. Davis.

Worship services were held at the Union Church building where all faiths met together and took turns at having charge of the service. The location was later the Presbyterian Church and it was one block north of the orginal and present building which w as established about the year of 1891.

In 1892 the first building was erected on a lot donated by Mrs. Sarah Thompson. Later a one-half lot was purchased from Mrs. Thompson to enlarge the building site.

There was a very tall steeple on this first church until the year 1960, when it had to be removed due to age and damage. The present cupola was built.

James Anderson Porter gave all the rough lumber for the building from his saw mill located north of the village of Broughton. The labor in constructing the building was donated by members and others.

In 1940, Mrs. Josie McNail at her death left $1,000.00 to the church and a basement was added and it is used for classrooms, kitchen and recreation.

The recent improvements have added to the auditorium a hardwood floor, lowered ceiling, flourescent lighting, wall paneling, carpeting, all new church furniture and pews, piano, central heating and air-conditioning, hot and cold running water, aluminum siding, new colored windows, storm windows and doors.

The first pastor called was brother George Henson and the present pastor (1971) is Rev. Delmar Feazel.

Two early members, Mrs. Eva Reeves Vantrease having joined by baptism in 1894, and Mrs. Nella Porter Dawes, a member since about 1896, are residents of Broughton. Mrs. Dawes was the pianist for over forty years and still attends services.