The Christian Church was established in 1900. While much of the early history is unknown, it is believed many members of the church started at Genesis Branch–A place for rural Black families to worship and attend school. Genesis Branch was located near what was known as Wakefield Farms, off Falls of Neuse Road. This same area is now Wake County’s largest residential development—Wakefield Plantation.
Services were held on the second Sunday of each month in a building located next to the “Cotton Mills” on White Street. The first remembered pastor is Rev. Cross and some of the first families migrating from Genesis Branch were John Davis, Payton Hinton, William Mangum, Rhoda Whitfield, Dorothy Whitfield and Ed Barham. After many years the Church was rebuilt on land donated by William Mangum and family.
The Church was renamed Spring Street Christian Church. The tradition of ringing the bell was established and carried on by Ed Barham until his passing. Rev. Burrell served as pastor and other families were welcomed: Saul and Ophelia Smith, Sr., Lee Mitchell, Bruce and Annie Lucas, John Henry and Mary Winston, Buddy Braswell, the Clark family, the Smith-Kearney family, Lonnie Jones family, the Daye-Jeffreys family, Novella Young, Laura Lewis family, Mary Peppers, Fred Baker, Lizzie Rumsey family, James Robert Smith, Annie Bell Rumsey-Williams, and Cornelia Dunston family.
With the building in need of repairs Rev. Carlyle Williams came aboard as pastor and was to make the needed repairs. However, with a hole in the roof left unattended, the building was not able to withstand the elements and caved in—making it unsafe for members to continue with worship services. The Church building was condemned by the Town of Wake Forest and subsequently burned. Olive Branch Baptist Church and Spring Street Presbyterian Church opened its doors and service was temporarily held at these community churches. Rev. Leola Debham temporarily served as pastor when Rev. Williams was asked to step-down.
A congregation that was once flourishing now found itself floundering. During this transition many members moved their membership to local churches and some moved to other neighboring cities. But there were a faithful few warriors who pressed on. These pioneers were Cornelia Dunston, Mary Wiggins, Annie Lucas, and Sherri Kearney-Jones who held on to the mustard-seed faith and trusted God to led them.
With such few members it was suggested that Spring Street close its doors and merge membership with Corinth Christian Church in Youngsville, NC. But these faithful few were not ready to throw in the towel. Rev. W. H. Thomas joined the fight and stood firm asking that these few members be allowed to continue worshipping as Spring Street Christian Church despite low membership. God is awesome! They were granted that right and Rev. Leon White bought the Church under the United Church of Christ umbrella and began plans for the construction of a new building on the original property. Rev. Thomas and Rev. William W. Moore assisted. During this time “The little red church” across the street was rented from Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church while the new building was being built.
“Ain’t God Good” may have been the cries from the members on May 12, 1985 when the morning worship service was held in the newly constructed building which remains as our current location. It was a Mother’s Day to be remembered.
If you would like to know more of our history, what’s happened since that glorious day in 1985, check-in weekly for more.
We invite you to come and hear the preached Word of God on 1st and 2nd (Communion) Sunday with Pastor Monroe, 3rd Sunday with Overseer Bullock and 4th Sunday with Elder Burton. We are blessed to have Cheryl Richardson onboard as our minister-in-training. Psalm 9:9 “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
Spring Street Christian Church is still here, still preaching the Word of God. If you are looking for a Church home–a Church Family–or if you are new in the community and haven’t found a church, we invite you to Come and Grow With Us! See you next Sunday!
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Spring Street Christian Church 