1873
The First Missionary Baptist Church of Morehead City was organized on July 10, 1873. Ten members, eight women, and two men, made up her original membership. The charter members were Mrs. Eliza Webb, Mrs. Rachel Arthur, Mrs. Susan Davis, Mrs. Frances Piver, Mrs. Sarah M. Willis, Mrs. Nancy Bennett, Mrs. Susan Styron, Mrs. Sarah A. Wade, Rev. Jacob Utley, and Mr. Asa Piver. Meetings were held in the public school building on the corner of 9th street. The records tell us that brother Ivey preached an able sermon from Luke 5:5, which reads as follows: “And Simon answering said unto Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.’”
The little band, constituting the new church, that day let down the net and launched into the deep.
1895
In 1895 a parsonage was built on the lot adjoining the church. It was first occupied by the Rev. J. T. Jenkins, 1895-1897. This picture was taken before the extension of the east side of the church.
1979
Sanctuary window donated by Webb family descendants in memory of Eliza Webb and Silas Webb.
1995
First Baptist took a leap of faith by expanding its facilities to include what is now known as the Family Life Center. This space has made it possible for our church family to gather as one body for One Service, Wednesday night meals, and the Upward Basketball Ministry. It also serves as a disaster response headquarters for Baptists on Mission, featuring an industrial kitchen to support relief efforts.
Present
On January 7, 2018, our church family gathered for a meaningful and memorable moment—the final service held in our original sanctuary. This sacred space had been the setting for countless worship services, prayers, and life-changing moments, making this day both a bittersweet farewell and a hopeful step forward.
Following this service, a season of restoration and renewal began. The cherished elements of our sanctuary, including the stained glass windows, pews, and chancel furniture, were carefully preserved and underwent thoughtful restoration. At the same time, plans were set in motion to reorient the sanctuary by 180 degrees. This redesign would allow worshipers to enter without walking past the pulpit, minimizing distractions and creating a more welcoming and reverent flow into worship.
This transformation, expected to take approximately 14 months, reflected our commitment to honoring our past while preparing for the future—preserving the beauty of tradition while enhancing the worship experience for generations to come.
