Our History
“O for strength to work, for faith to pray and for patience to wait for the blessings.”
Rev. Cashwell, 1882
It all began with revival meetings held in late January of 1882 led by the Reverend Charles Simeon Cashwell who later became the first pastor of the newly organized Pollocksville Baptist Church.
According to an article printed in the Biblical Recorder on March 22, 1882,”We learn that at Pollocksville, the spirit of progress prevails, a Baptist church is soon to be erected…”
Land was donated for the newly organized Baptist Church at Pollocksville and the actual transfer took place on May 6, 1882. Construction started in late April or early May and was completed by late October of 1882.
The church began with ten charter members. When Reverend Cashwell left the pastorate at Pollocksville in 1888 the membership stood at thirty-one. Continuing into the early 1900s, the church grew in membership under a list of strong pastors who each brought unique gifts of service and leadership. The pastors were shared with churches in Maysville, Trenton and Spring Garden and Fort Barnwell.
In September of 1949 Pollocksville Baptist called Reverend D.E. Hill as pastor and the membership began holding worship services each Sunday. By 1951 the church membership was recorded as 126. We were quickly outgrowing the current church building and in January of 1956 the church membership voted to construct a new church.
The Reverend Charles Midkiff was called in May of 1962 as the church’s first full-time pastor. A final service was held in the original building on July 7, 1963. The new church building was dedicated on September 15, 1963 and continues to be the site of worship and discipleship, prayer and fellowship today.
God had a plan for Pollocksville Baptist church in 1882 and He is still at work guiding His people to do His work in this community. Our history is like all history. It is simply a story being told.
Reverend Ray Howell put it this way, ”Here is the story. It is filled with people, places, events and dates. But most of all it is the story of an unhindered Gospel moving us all closer home.”
May we never forget our history, our story, and most of all our purpose.It began with a revival – with strength to work, a faith to pray, and patience to wait for the blessings!
A Celebration of History
Carolyn Lane
Pollocksville Baptist Church has been on a spiritual journey
Since 1882
Traveling in many directions searching and asking what would God have us do.
Our Founding Fathers took a leap of faith and tackled the job at hand.
In October of 1882,
the first church completed, there was a revival in the land.
They had seen the Lord working and now they were eager to follow His will,
Obtaining property and relocating to another church,
God’s purpose they did fulfill.
God kept His people steadfast and gave them encouragement along the way
Preparing them for yet another expansion,
Strengthening them day by day.
A visualization of many exciting adventures in the church’s rich history.
A story of faith, commitment, sacrifice
and above all victory.
As members of Pollocksville Baptist Church,
we must stop and reflect
To determine what our heritage shows,
And ask ourselves—
How will we carry this legacy into the future?
Where will we go?
What are our dreams and visions
and how will we assure they come true?
Setting our minds on things above and doing what God would have us do.
Are each of us willing, as our forefathers,
to continue this spiritual journey that will lead us all,
To God’s purpose, prophesy, vision and His undying call?