A Brief History of Vaughan Baptist Church
On October 31, 1897, deacons and pastors from neighboring Littleton, Reedy Creek, Enterprise, and Sharon, now Wise, Baptist churches met with local charter members to worship and glorify God and to celebrate, and dedicate the organization of a Baptist church to serve God and the people in the Vaughan community.
Until the turn of the century old John Vaughan Store served as the meeting place for the members. Dedicated charter members generously gave land, lumber, and a pay-as-you-can loan for the completion of a sanctuary. In the early 1920s, the membership raised money to build Sunday school rooms and make necessary repairs to the existing building.
Around 1902 the church membership made application to build a wider fellowship with the Tar River Baptist Association. Vaughan Baptist Church remained a member of Tar River Association until, in 1959, it became a charter member of the newly formed Cullom Baptist Association in which it has been an active member for over fifty years.
Around 1902 the church membership made application to build a wider fellowship with the Tar River Baptist Association. Vaughan Baptist Church remained a member of Tar River Association until, in 1959, it became a charter member of the newly formed Cullom Baptist Association in which it has been an active member for over fifty years.
Fifty years after the building of the first sanctuary, the church membership held its first homecoming celebration with offering designated as a building fund for a new house of worship. The fund grew through the fifties, a member developed a blue print, and the foundation for our current building was laid on July 18, 1959. The membership and supporters provided funds on a pay-as-you-go basis, and by July 31, 1960, the building was complete enough for its first service. Formal dedication of the building and furnishings was held on September 29, 1963.
Other improvements and additions over the years include air conditioning, the steeple, a fellowship hall, kitchen, pew cushions, and windows. More recent additions and changes include recreational equipment for youth, a nursery, a pastor’s study, remodeled classrooms and bathrooms, a history display, and additional lighting and seating in the fellowship hall.
Other improvements and additions over the years include air conditioning, the steeple, a fellowship hall, kitchen, pew cushions, and windows. More recent additions and changes include recreational equipment for youth, a nursery, a pastor’s study, remodeled classrooms and bathrooms, a history display, and additional lighting and seating in the fellowship hall.
Over the last three years, the church supported activities at Vaughan Elementary School as a mission project. Outreach to the surrounding community has included four Family Fun Days with numerous activities and a Saturday Bible School in 1915.
Around the church are various visual tributes to individuals who have served the Lord and the church well. A photograph display in the hallway to the right of the sanctuary honors most former pastors. The quilt hanging in the sanctuary honors pastors, charter members, and members at the time of the 1997 centennial. A photograph display near the front entrance further honors the charter members.
As we move forward, let our history and all the unnamed individuals, including charter members, one called into the ministry, pastors, dedicated Christian supporters, and all members, former, deceased and current, who have played roles in it be a reminder that all that we do and all that we are is due to the grace of God. Today and all our tomorrows, let all of us strive to make Vaughan Baptist Church a believing people who serve God in word and deed in accordance with His will- nothing more, nothing less- and whose church membership is not confined within the walls of the church building.
Around the church are various visual tributes to individuals who have served the Lord and the church well. A photograph display in the hallway to the right of the sanctuary honors most former pastors. The quilt hanging in the sanctuary honors pastors, charter members, and members at the time of the 1997 centennial. A photograph display near the front entrance further honors the charter members.
As we move forward, let our history and all the unnamed individuals, including charter members, one called into the ministry, pastors, dedicated Christian supporters, and all members, former, deceased and current, who have played roles in it be a reminder that all that we do and all that we are is due to the grace of God. Today and all our tomorrows, let all of us strive to make Vaughan Baptist Church a believing people who serve God in word and deed in accordance with His will- nothing more, nothing less- and whose church membership is not confined within the walls of the church building.
