Our History

Like a beacon of light, the white spire rises above the houses and stands amid the treetops, speaking its silent message to all who pass by.  Night and day it can be seen from highways, fields, and forests – a compelling force to all who view it.  Historic Reedy Branch Original Free Will Baptist Church is a sentinel, a legend, a landmark rich in history.

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In 1854, a fire destroyed the Pitt County Courthouse, along with all of its records.  This makes it impossible to determine the exact date of origin of Reedy Branch Church.  The History of Reedy Branch has since been passed down from church elders.

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With the ink hardly dry on the Declaration of Independence, hardy souls began holding religious services outside at a location of Reedy Branch in Winterville.  Around 1800 a group of local citizens organized a Free Will Baptist church in a single room log building taking the name of Reedy Branch, since on the north side of the church there was a branch or stream of water overgrown by reeds.  A church built by a reedy branch!  The original building was made of logs and heated by a large fireplace.  Wooden slabs held up by wooden pegs fashioned for seating.  There were blocks placed in the yard to assist women in mounting their horses.

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The branch, as a result of modern drainage methods, has long since disappeared, but, Reedy Branch OFWB Church still lives and flourishes.  It has served as “mother church” to other churches in the area.

After the Civil War,as members grew more prosperous, a new frame building was erected in 1880.Additions were made in 1900, 1924, and 1949. In 1976, the Willis Wilson Fellowship Hall was added.  More renovations were completed in 1981, 1984, 1985, and 1994. As the Church continued to prosper & grow, the left wing annex was connected to the Willis Wilson Fellowship Hall in 2002, and in 2004 the Fellowship Hall was completely renovated.  Media equipment was installed in 2005.  In 2006, a new steeple replaced the original steeple and in 2007, a new organ and piano were added and a new church bus was purchased. New playground equipment was purchased and installed in 2011.

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The members of Reedy Branch OFWB Church invite you to come and join us and become a part of the rich history of our church.