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Lakes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Inc.
An Illustrious History

History

  • Lakes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church was originally founded in 1865 (during the Civil War) by a small group of spirited, religious, and community minded neighbors, some of whom were former slaves, and others the children of slave.

  • The first church was made of logs

  • The church takes its name from its earliest location which was beside a fisherman’s lake.

  • The earliest history of the church dates back to 1880, when a white farmer, John T. Bland, out of respect for the initiative and effect the small group of neighbors demonstrated in helping themselves, deeded three-quarters of an acre of land for the sum of one dollar.

  • The second church was built on a beautiful hill at Piney Road and Point Caswell Road.
    The Ervin J. Herring Memorial bell and steeple was mounted on the church in 1977, given by Mr. & Mrs. F. Davis Hawes.

  • The dedications or mortgage burning for the current location at 9525 Point Caswell took place in 1980 under leadership of Clarence W. Pate.

  • Lakes Chapel Missionary Church was flooded in Hurricane Fran September 5, 1996, this event destroyed many history documents and membership records which were irreplaceable.

  • Lakes Chapel Missionary Church was flooded in Hurricane Floyd in September 16, 1999

  • On August 19, 2008, Lakes Chapel became incorporated and membership was at one-hundred fifty souls at that time.

  • In 2009, the church purchased 15 acres of land on Point Caswell Road which is the construction site and the new Home of Lakes Chapel Missionary Baptist church.

  • Lakes Chapel Missionary Church was flooded in Hurricane Florence September 14, 2018, which dropped 40 inches of Rain in Pender County.   

  • The construction of the new building broke ground spring 2021 and is current under construction.

  • The certificate of occupancy for the new church was received March 14, 2023.

  • The Grand Opening of the new church was held on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

  • The New Church was dedicated on Sunday, May 2, 2023. Moderator Dr. Reginald A. Wells was the guest speaker.

Leadership

  • The first pastor Reverend Richard Keaton in 1865

  • The second pastor was Reverend Ransome Royals

  • Lakes Chapel Missionary Church gets to 1962 pastured by Reverend Robert P. Farrior

  • The next church was Pastor Reverend Hays Peterson

  • The first service in bigger church in the current location in 1962 by Reverend Robert P. Farrior

  • Lakes Chapel Missionary Church continues to grow in 1980 under leadership of Clarence W. Pate.

  • 1st Pastor Richard Keaton

  • 2nd Pastor Ransome Royal

  • 8th Pastor Hayes Peterson

  • Reverend Tim Newkirk

  • Reverend W.H. Moore

  • Reverend Andres Carr

  • Reverend E.L. Matthew

  • Reverend John Fennell

  • Reverend L. Ben Boykins

  • Reverend Robert P. Farrior

  • Reverend Clarence W. Pate

  • Reverend Levy Moore

  • Reverend Richard T. Hooker (2002-2005)

  • Reverend Carl D. Moore (2007-2021)

  • Reverend Terrell Bryant (2021 - Present)

Deacons

  • Deacon Jim Jacobs                                   

  • Deacon Williams Holmes

  • Deacon Owen Hayes                               

  • Deacon Daniel Murphy

  • Deacon Ervin H. Herring                         

  • Deacon Willie Herring

  • Deacon George Herring                           

  • Deacon A.C. Herring

  • Deacon James O. Newton Sr.               

  • Deacon Johnnie Herring

  • Deacon Charles Costin                             

  • Deacon Linwood McAllister

  • Deacon Ezra Murphy                               

  • Deacon Lure Munn

  • Deacon P.H. Hayes                                   

  • Deacon Jimmer Henry

  • Deacon Raymond Coston

  • Deacon Joe Henry                                     

  • Deacon James C. Williams

  • Deacon Melvin Bush Sr.                         

  • Deacon Jesse McDuffie

  • Deacon Robert Newton Sr.                     

  • Deacon James T. Costin

  • Deacon Winslor Murray                           

  • Deacon Corey Devane Sr.

  • Deacon Richard Murphy                         

  • Deacon James R. Henry

Trustees

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The recorded deed is in the name of two of the church’s trustees, Brother William Holmes and Brother James Ennis:

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  • Thomas Edward Murphy                         

  • William Thomas Murphy

  • Lloyd Newkirk                                           

  • Jerry Milton

  • James T. Herring Sr.                                 

  • John D. Hayes

  • J.C. Hayes                                                   

  • Harvey Gurganious

  • Travis Newkirk                                           

  • Della Herring

  • Harvey Costin                                               

  • Thurmon Eakins

  • Laford Henry                                             

  • Lambert Hayes

  • Maurice Hayes Sr.                                     

  • John Taylor

  • Marion Moore Ingram                             

  • Patricia Henry – Smith

  • Gerald McDuffie                                       

  • Alice Munn Graham

  • Willie Pearl Black                                       

  • Alfred Murphy

  • Jessie McDuffie

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