In the Beginning...

The First Baptist Church was the first church built in the community. In the year 1839, Rev. John Robertson and Rev. Elias Dodson, with only 11 members, organized the First Baptist Church. As the months passed, the membership grew and on Sunday December 5, 1939, the Leaksville Baptist Church of Christ was constituted. A presbytery of Elders presided at the constitution of the church. The Elders came from the Roanoke Association in Virginia, the Beulah Association from North Carolina and North Carolina State Convention.

There was only one place in Leaksville that could accommodate this large number of members, guests, and visiting Elders. That place was the Leaksville Male Academy. This occasion might have been the first time the group had assembled here, but it would not be the last. From this day until they had their own meeting house, the Church worshipped here on the First Sunday of each month. The records of the Register of Deeds in Rockingham County disclose that there is a recorded deed from Alexander Lemons to the Trustees of the Baptist Church of Christ in Leaksville. The deed was dated August 5, 1841, and it was proven in open court, November term 1844. It was sworn by oath and examination of Ezra Hinshaw, witness, and it was properly recorded.

Rev. John Robertson was the first pastor, and he received a salary of $25.00 each month for his service. The meetings were held at the old brick academy on n Henry Street, but this small group was determined to build their own church house in which to worship. Through prayer and a desire to follow God’s will, Mr. John Gauldin, a wealthy farmer in the area, offered
to financially assist this small group. He helped by building a typical one-room frame house with two doors in the front. This first church house was located at the intersection of Hamilton and Jay Streets.