Our History - Centerview Baptist Church

Church History

This information was taken from a piece written by Mr. E.Y. Beatty and other publications.

Inception

By 1921, four companies had been incorporated for the purpose of building and operating mills in the North Belmont area. The Acme Mill was already built and provided employment for many people. As a result of mission work of the First Baptist Church in Belmont, interest arose in getting a Baptist church started in North Belmont.

The Executive Committee of the Association appointed three men to furnish guidance and leadership in this endeavor. They were Rev. George H Johnson, Rev. R.G. Mace and Mr. W.J. Francis. A Sunday School was organized in one of the mill houses in the spring of 1921 and J.J. Duncan was elected as director of the Sunday School. In June 1921, open air services were begun by Rev. G.H. Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Belmont. In August of the same year, Rev. Johnson and Rev. Mace held meetings in a tent furnished by Gaston County Baptist Association. At the close of these meetings a number of converts decided to organize a Baptist church.

The organizational committee consisted of Rev. G.H. Johnson, Rev. D.W. Thompson, Rev. R.G. Mace, Rev. C.L. Taylor and Rev. A.E. Teague, with deacons from the First Baptist and East Baptist churches of Belmont participating. Deacons who assisted with this were R.B. Scruggs, and W.J. Francis, D.P. Stowe, W.S. Chapman, J.J. Duncan and C.E. Hauser. They called a meeting on August 14th, 1921, and organized the church. Thirty three members from other churches brought their letters and became members of Centerview Baptist Church. Articles of faith were adopted. Deacons elected were J.J. Duncan, E.S. Auten, R.L. Long and W.H. Murphy.

The church was received into the Association on October 18th, 1921, with a membership of 40. Rev. A.E. Teague was called as pastor in August 1921.