Beaufort Co., NC Churches

BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST ON BLOUNTS CREEK
LATER KNOWN AS GER(R)ARD CHAPEL PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH
[Contributed by Jean Gurkin]

This photograph was taken in May 2013.  A Heritage Day held in the Blounts Creek community and this building was included in the tour that was given.  It is believed to be the oldest church on the south side of the Pamlico River except for Trinity Church located in Chocowinity.  The church has not been active since the 1980’s.

The church known as Ger(r)ard Chapel Primitive Baptist Church today on Core Point Road was begun as a Branch of the Baptist Church of Christ on Swift Creek on the 28th day of May 1808.  The Articles of the Baptist Church and the Covenant were written and is included in the first pages of the first ledger of the church containing the minutes of this church.  (The original ledger is in the possession of Mary Frances Ger(r)ard Jefferson.)  The Covenant was signed by the mutual consent of the members whose names are underneath Subscribed Pastor (All spelling is as it appears in the ledger from the church.)

MALE MEMBERS

Leadock W. Baker John Wilcokes
Benjamin Ross Briton Edwards
Elexunder Reddit Peter Dowtey Sr
Robert Roe Peter Douty Jr
William Moore Lodewick Douty
Thomas Evett Teagle Douty
Lamuell Ross John Ross
John Jones Henerey McCabe
John Naron Levi Stilley
Fredrick Dixson Thomas Robason
David Bennett Abesulem Tuten
Jesse Caton Joshua Hill
John Tommsin Joseph Trip
Kinshen Otterey William G Gerrard
William Hudnell Benjamin Keel
Elisha Dowtey Martin Ross
Obediah Nobles John Fillpot
Solomon Caton William Tooten
Robert Tripp Joseph Lewis
Thomas Tooten John Jones

FEMALE MEMBERS NAMES

Grace McCabe Fancies Evett
Prudence Ross Nancy Martin
Tabitha Peed Prudence Dixson
Elizabeth Lewis Drussilla Douty
Elizabeth Moore Sidney Robason
Sarah Roe Elizabeth Moore
Sarah Reddet Elizabeth Reddet
Sarah Evett Nancy Hill
Penny Bennett Rowena Gerrard
Sarah Tuten Lewah Keel
Clarisa Tuten Nancy Ross Jr
Sussanna Merrideth Sarah Hill
Sarah Nairn Nancy Hill Sr
Sussanna Ottry Sarah Tripp
Lucy Messecks Clarsisy Tripp
Nancy Adams Nancy Edwards
Charrity Caten Lewindy Edwards
Catherian Giddens Marey Caten
Anna Tetterton Rachel Stilley
Polly Douty Mary Reddet
Francies Douty Fanney Tooten
Hanner Douty Anna Buck
Lucvitia Douty Nancy Runels

MEMBERS OF COLLAR NAMES

William Moore
Peggey Moore
Saser
Mingo
Siss
Cane
Aron
Hester
Ruben

There are two markers behind the church and several unmarked graves.

JOSHUA HILL
 PVT
REGT  NC  MILITIA
REV. WAR
1757       1833

DEZEWAY  U. GERRARD
Wife of W. B. GERRARD
Sept. 29, 1866
Oct. 20, 1945


Taken about 2008 before I boarded up the windows to help preserve the floor.


Inside of the church - 2013


Corner of wall and ceiling - 2013


Floor of the church - 2013  (It's still solid!)


Pulpit of the church - 2013

 

 

 

 

The “Out House” behind the church

It was standing until Hurricane Irene blew it down in 2011.  The remains of the building are still there.

Go to USGenWeb

Go to NCGenWeb

© 2014 Kay Midgett Sheppard