OUR CHURCH
Church History | Articles of Faith | What We Believe
CHURCH HISTORY
Williams Grove Baptist has a long and distinguished history of service to the Lord. The church was organized in 1899 and given its name by the Williams Family. The late Sister Ada Hayes was the granddaughter of the founder, who was married to Deacon Virgil M. Hicks, Sr. The church ordained Brother Virgil M. Hicks, Sr. in 1921. Deacon Hicks served sixty-two years in that capacity.
The first location of Williams Grove Baptist Church was on Blue Ridge Road and across the street from the church was its cemetery. At that time, services were only held on the first Sunday of every month at 2:00PM.
In 1958, the church moved to Southeast Raleigh. The Pastor at that time was Reverend B. H. Closs. The old church was then sold to acquire five building lots that now make up the current location. Prior to the construction of the current building, the Church set up a tent in the middle of Malta St. (approximately one-half block from the current location) and held services.
Since February 2001 the church has been under the care of its’ current Pastor – Reverend Kirby Jones. In May 2006, the Lord blessed Williams Grove to complete its first fellowship and classroom facility. God further blessed the church in January 2007 with the purchase of over one acre of adjoining land. Additionally, in the spring of 2010, Williams Grove became the home of The Daniel Center of Math and Science, a non-profit organization that seeks to narrow the education gap for at-risk youth, in math, science, and technology.
In early 2019, Williams Grove reached another great milestone: the completion of a new Sanctuary, including additional classrooms and offices.
Sine 1899, God has kept this ministry. Through the Reconstruction Era, the Great Depression, countless recessions, two global pandemics, a myriad of pestilences and plagues, the discrimination of Jim Crow laws, two world wars, many other wars, social unrest, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods - God has used Williams Grove Baptist Church to encourage the heavy laden, to strengthen the feeble of heart, and to bring souls to Him. We believe, God's great work for this church is not complete. There is yet more history to be made!
ARTICLES OF FAITH
The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. ascribes to these Articles of Faith which should be adopted by Baptist churches at the time of organization:
I. THE SCRIPTURES.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
II. THE TRUE GOD.
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
III. THE FALL OF MAN.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
IV. THE WAY OF SALVATION.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
SALVATION - We believe that the only means of Salvation is by Grace through a trusting faith in the substitutionary and sufficient death of Jesus Christ for the inherent sin of all mankind; and that through His bodily resurrection victory over death and hell is available to all that would believe.
TRINITY - We believe there is one God that is eternally existent in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
THE BIBLE - We believe the Bible to be the inerrant, infallible word of God; written by Holy men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
HOLY SPIRIT - We believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers; through Whom the Christian is empowered and equipped to live a Holy and separated life unto God.
THE RAPTURE - We believe in the blessed hope that is the Rapture of the Church; whereby at Christ’s appearing the dead in Christ and those yet alive in Christ, will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.
ORDINANCES - We believe in the keeping of Water Baptism and Holy Communion as they were commanded by Jesus Christ as a testimony of our relationship with Him.