Rocky Mount COB : History

    The First Church of the Brethren in Rocky Mount was built in 1957.The Church was the realization of a dream that had been in the minds of many people for several years.On October 1,1955, Ora DeLaughter, Rufus King, Zion Mitchell, N.M.Bowman, Carson Keys and Eugene Lenker met to discuss the possibility of a church site in the Town of Rocky Mount.

    One year later the Ministry and Missions of the District met at Antioch Church of the Brethren with a delegation of Brethren from Rocky Mount to further consider the possibility of a new congregation.After consulting representatives of the Brotherhood and the region,the group looked with favor on a new fellowship and a committee was appointed to carry these plans forward.

    The first meeting was held February 3.1957, in the home of Hilda and Posey Altice. Fifty three individuals from twenty one families were present during the worship service conducted by the Rev.Eugene Lenker; who would be called as Pastor July 1, 1957.

    A building committee was appointed and after viewing several sites,the present church location was selected and purchased.Construction was carried out in the late summer and early fall of 1957 by Fred Adams and other men of the group.The original building consists of the fellowship hall (used as the sanctuary), kitchen, Pastor's study and several Sunday school rooms. The first meeting in the new building was held on March 2,1958. Charter membership was closed on April 6,1958 with fifty six persons as Charter members,representing twenty nine families. The building was dedicated on June 8,1958.

    The first wedding held in our church was for Wayne and Jeanette Adkins on August 29.1958

    The construction for the new sanctuary was started on June 14,1987 and used for worship service for the first time on April 17,1988. The dedication ceremony was held on June 19, 1988.

    The first couple to join the church and be Baptized in the new Baptistry were A.C. and Paulette Law. The first marriage held in the new sanctuary was for Leon and Denise Prillaman.

Former Pastors

       REV.EUGENE LENKER               1957-1960
       REV.CLARENCE MOYERS             1960-1966
       REV. WILLIAM SWITZER(INTERM)    1966-1967
       REV.DERWOOD TROXELL             1967-1969
       REV.MIKE HALL(SUMMER)           1969
       REV.MAURICE E.WRIGHT            1969-1973
       REV.PAUL ELLER                  1973-1977
       REV.EARL STOVALL                1977-1983
       REV.CHRIS BENNETT               1983-1984
       DR.GERALD MANNING               1984-1991
       REV.WILLIAM M.PUGH              1991-1998
       REV.HARRY SHELTON               1998-2007
       REV. JOHN W. COLLINS            2007-PRESENT