First Waughtown Baptist Church Celebrates 160 Years of Heritage and Community Engagement
The First Waughtown Baptist Church, a significant institution in Winston-Salem, is set to celebrate its 160th anniversary with a homecoming event this weekend. This milestone marks a journey that began shortly after the Civil War, when freedom was proclaimed in Salem on May 21, 1865.
Established in 1866, the church initially held services in the modest cabin of John and Mary Linebach Fries. Historian Spencer McCall highlights its role as the first Black-owned and operated institution in the area, a remarkable achievement in the post-emancipation era. McCall notes, “That was an amazing effort for people of color at that time, just one year beyond freedom. And also to have marriages performed and have funerals performed under their own guise, their own leadership, sanctioned by a minister who looked like them.”
The congregation later moved to the community’s Freedmen’s School before a permanent chapel was constructed in 1913. Over the years, the church has remained a pillar of the community, thanks to its focus on youth and education. Dennis Bishop, who has served as senior pastor since 1983 and joined the church in 1975, attributes its longevity to these efforts and its strong community ties.
Bishop reflects on the church’s enduring presence, stating, “Us still going out into the community, just walking and exercising, and speaking to people, and us looking out for each other. We have dinners that we just give to people that need meals. I think that interaction is what has kept us as a staple of this community.”
This weekend’s celebrations will include a 160th Anniversary Gala on Saturday night in Clemmons, followed by the Homecoming Worship Service on Sunday at the First Waughtown Baptist Church in Winston-Salem.
