History | Church
Covenant
History of Files Chapel Baptist Church
Files Chapel Baptist Church originated
in 1932. It began with a few gathering with Mr. Jim Hargrave,
a principal and educator at Yarborough School located in the
Little Florida community, known today as Washington Park.
People met once during the week for Bible Class and on Sunday
mornings for Sunday Church School. The purpose of these weekly
meetings was to discuss the needs of a community-based church
in the surrounding neighborhood.
In 1932, Mr. Jim Hargrave along with other
dedicated people went on a search for a church building. While
on this search, they purchased and began having services at
the Colored Holiness Church of God, today known as Files Chapel
Baptist Church.
Mr.
Hargrave and a faithful few members then went in search for
a minister to lead this flock of people. In this prayerful
search, they called Rev. J. L. Files to pastor the Colored
Holiness Church of God, which later became known as Files
Chapel Baptist Church. Rev. Files was a native of Winston-Salem,
N C and the former pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in
Winston-Salem, N C.
Over the past years, the following have
served as Pastors:
- Rev. J. L. Files
- Rev. H. A. White
- Rev. F. D. Betts
- Rev. J. W. Cade
Rev. H. A. White, a native of Chester,
South Carolina, succeeded Rev. Files. Rev. White initially
held service every other Sunday afternoon and later went
to every Sunday morning. During his tenure, he helped organize
and build a fellowship hall. His baptisms were held in the
muddy branch down behind the church.
Following Rev. White, Rev. Frank Douglas
Betts, a native of Perdito, Alabama became the pastor in 1951.
He had visited the quaint little town on a number of occasions,
particularly for Spring and Fall Revivals. He found the people
were always hospitable and seemed hardworking and determined.
Under his leadership, membership continued to grow, church
renovations were completed inside and out and a church parsonage
was purchased.
After
the death of Rev. Betts in November 1995, Rev. John W. Cade
became the interim pastor and later pastor. Under the leadership
of Rev. Cade, the church has continued to grow to overflow
capacity. There have been more renovations inside and out,
which have created the facelift that we see today. He has
strengthened the existing auxiliaries and his creativity has
led to the creation of new ones. One of his proudest achievements
is the Cade's Youth Church, which is held every second and
fourth Sunday.
Today, we stand firm on our faith in God
that the Files Chapel Baptist Church family will continue
to progress under the leadership of Rev. John W. Cade.
History | Church
Covenant
|