Church History

The Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1911.  Though we were unable to locate older written records of the beginning years, we were blessed to have record recollections from many of Bethlehem’s elder members. We are thankful for the late Sister Pearl Lofton Williams (1905-2004), who was a member of Bethlehem at its inception and faithful member until her transition in July 2004 at the age of 99. We thank the late Deacon James Augustus Jinwright, Mother Gerthel Pridgen and Sister Vivian Denkins McRae for their valuable historic records and accounts.  

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church was established in the rural Lee Buck area of Brunswick County. Bethlehem’s inception started in the minds of a group of Christian soldiers who had a desire to have a place of worship. As they sought to fulfill their spiritual needs, the Lord blessed them through a gentleman named Dan Ward, who donated the land to be used for a place of worship.  According to Mother Pearl, worship was held weekly, first under nature's lofty shade of the oaks. Mother Pearl told us of the difficulty involved in reaching the church after a hard rain. She recalled having to remove their shoes and wade through high water to reach their place of worship. They were not discouraged but held to their faith. God provided for the establishment of a wood framed building. Through hard trials and tribulations, the early church moved from the dilapidated wooden building to a cinder block sanctuary in 1951. Though Bethlehem constructed a new sanctuary to accommodate growth, there were no improvements made to the long, unpaved roads that led through pot holes. Travel to and from the church remained a difficult task. 

The church was blessed through the service of the following ministers:  Reverend Willie Johnson, Reverend Sheppard Newkirk and Reverend Joseph Williams all of Wilmington, NC; Reverend Castela Goodman, Southport, NC, and Reverend Willie Yeoman of Winnabow, NC. With the passing of Rev. Goodman in February 1946, Rev. Yeoman became pastor of Bethlehem. It was through Rev. Yeoman’s leadership, love for God, and passion for God’s people that the church began to flourish spiritually, physically, and financially. 

Reverend Yeoman led God’s people to places beyond their wildest imagination. Because of his enthusiasm and zeal, he inspired the church to follow his leadership. The late Deacon James Jinwright reflected on the poor physical condition of a wooden building, held up by posts propped on leaning side. Mother Gerthel Pridgen recalls how the community cut wood for the wood stove to heat the church for morning worship service. She also remembers the wooden benches that they sat on and the church bell with a long rope that they rang every Sunday of worship. 

No previous efforts had been made to reconcile Bethlehem’s conditions until Reverend Yeoman’s tenure. On July 15, 1961, Bethlehem purchased a bus for the amount of $300.00, paid $100.00 to have the bus painted, and paid $50.63 for gas and parts. This bus was used to transport members to and from the church for 4 years. Reverend Yeoman was not at ease until he inspired the church to locate property and move the church to higher ground. On December 16, 1967, the church voted to investigate and make all necessary arrangements to conduct a potential move. 

Bethlehem’s trustees located the property at 9374 Southern Blvd SE Winnabow, North Carolina, where the church currently stands, and made a report to the church in a Call Meeting on October 19, 1969. The church granted permission for the trustees to follow through with the purchase. The building process was started on August 16, 1970. The trustees reported they had Blake Builders’ consent to complete the church for $15,000.00. The initial payment was $3,000.00, with $12,000.00 financed. A motion to borrow the money was approved on September 19, 1970.  After Blake Builders completed the new building, Reverend Willie Yeoman led his flock in a march from the home of the late Sister Sarah Kelly to the new church down Highway 133 to Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church on October 18, 1970. In an effort to ensure the solvency of the church and reduce financial overhead, Reverend Yeoman relinquished his salary while the building project was being completed. 

Over the years, following members were elected to serve as Deacons at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church: Deacon J. Brock Donaldson (Sister Etta Donaldson) Deacon Jackson Jinwright (Sis. Virginia Jinwright) Deacon Frank Green (Sis. Mary Green) Deacon C. C. Reaves Deacon James A Jinwright (Sister Ernestine Jinwright) Deacon Thomas Porter Denkins, Jr. (Sis.Viola Denkins) Deacon Belton Mathews (Siser Lula Matthews) Deacon George Denkins (Sister Vivian Denkins) Deacon Charles Jones (Sis. Everlena Jones) Deacon Van Jinwright (Sister Marie Jinwright) Deacon Clifton Beatty (Sister Ruth Beatty) Deacon Henry Joyner Deacon Okey Palmore Deacon William Swann.  

Because of illness, Pastor Yeoman resigned as pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church on March 5, 1975. Pastor Yeoman was succeeded by the late Reverence Ervin Pelham who served until his resignation on June 27, 1983. The resignation was accepted on September 6, 1983. Pastor Pelhem was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Andre’ Carr, Sr. of Rocky Point, NC. Rev. Carr was elected on December 15, 1983 and installed on March 18, 1984. Like Rev. Yeoman, Reverend Carr led Bethlehem to higher heights. More than 150 new members come to Christ and the list of physical improvements continued. 

God has richly blessed the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church throughout the years. On September 16, 1961, Deaconess Vivian Denkins McRae was elected to serve as pianist, an assignment she has faithful held for 57 consecutive years. Sunday School Department was once led by Bro. Charles Warnett and is currently under the leadership of Mother Mattie Lampkins, Superintendent, and Rev. Edith Blanks, Asst. Superintendent and Christian Education Department Leader.  

Pastoral History at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church (Based on records and oral history)

PASTOR                                       PASTORATE

Rev. John H. Bryant                   Circa 191,

Rev. Sargent Smith                    Circa 1921  

Rev. Sam Flowers                      Circa 1924

Rev. Willie Perkins Yeoman     1946? - 1975  

Rev. Otis Ervin Pelham             1975 - ???? 

Rev. Dr. Andre Carr        

Rev. Eric A. Joyner, Sr.  

Rev. Rodney Gore 

Rev. Latonio Thomas 

Rev. David L. Smith                   2017 – Present  

Currently, Bethlehem is under the divinely inspired leadership of Rev. David L. Smith. He and First Lady Natalie B. Smith and their two talented and gifted sons, Philip and David came to us on Sunday, November 26, 2017 during a time when we were without a pastor. Rev. Smith has consistently and continually preached, taught Bible Study (from abroad and in person) and is all that we could ask for/of a pastor. On Saturday, August 25, 2018 at scheduled conference, the membership unanimously voted to officially install Rev. Smith as Pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, September 16, 2018. 

As nature would have it, Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina on September 13, 2018. The storm toppled the church steeple and causing significant damage to the sanctuary and fellowship hall. Damage to the church prompted the membership to postpone the installation service. Not to be hindered, Rev. Smith has continued to press towards the mark and efforts are being made to repair and restore the church due to damage caused by Hurricane Florence. His concern is for the people and is not concerned with the “official” installation date. 

Others have given of themselves and their means for the improvement of the church. While it is impossible to mention the names of everyone who contributed above and beyond the call of duty, we would be remiss not to say THANK YOU to the entire church family for your faith in God, your love of God, and your love for each other.