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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <?xml-model href="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SAA-SDT/EAD3/master/ead3.rng" type="application/xml" schematypens="http://relaxng.org/ns/structure/1.0"?> <ead xmlns="http://ead3.archivists.org/schema/"> <control countryencoding="iso3166-1" dateencoding="iso8601" langencoding="iso639-2b" relatedencoding="marc" repositoryencoding="iso15511" scriptencoding="iso15924"> <recordid instanceurl="http://hdl.handle.net/10339/110070">MS605</recordid> <filedesc> <titlestmt> <titleproper>First Baptist Church (Greensboro, N.C.) Records </titleproper> <subtitle>1951-1984, 2.31 linear feet</subtitle> <author>Processed by Stephanie Bennett</author> </titlestmt> <publicationstmt> <publisher>Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives</publisher> <address> <addressline>PO Box 7777</addressline> <addressline>Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109</addressline> <addressline localtype="business">336 758-5755</addressline> <addressline> <ref href="http://zsr.wfu.edu/special/" linktitle="http://zsr.wfu.edu/special/" show="new">http://zsr.wfu.edu/special/</ref> </addressline> </address> <date>2024</date> <num>MS605</num> </publicationstmt> <notestmt> <controlnote> <p>Historical note originally read: "There were fourteen charter members, including four who were likely Black members, and the rest likely white." Could not verify these numbers / details in sources, so note changed to: "Histories indicate charter members were both Black and white."</p> </controlnote> </notestmt> </filedesc> <maintenancestatus value="derived"/> <maintenanceagency> <agencyname>Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives</agencyname> </maintenanceagency> <languagedeclaration> <language langcode="eng">English</language> <script scriptcode="Latn">Latin</script> </languagedeclaration> <conventiondeclaration> <abbr>dacs</abbr> <citation>Describing Archives: A Content Standard</citation> </conventiondeclaration> <localcontrol localtype="findaidstatus"> <term>completed</term> </localcontrol> <maintenancehistory> <maintenanceevent> <eventtype value="derived"/> <eventdatetime>2025-06-10T15:52:43-04:00</eventdatetime> <agenttype value="machine"/> <agent>ArchivesSpace v4.1.0</agent> <eventdescription>This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on Tuesday June 10, 2025 at 15:52</eventdescription> </maintenanceevent> <maintenanceevent> <eventtype value="revised"/> <eventdatetime>2024 October</eventdatetime> <agenttype value="unknown"/> <agent/> <eventdescription>Revised by Emily Houlditch; added abstract and expanded historical note</eventdescription> </maintenanceevent> <maintenanceevent> <eventtype value="revised"/> <eventdatetime>2025 April</eventdatetime> <agenttype value="unknown"/> <agent/> <eventdescription>Revised by Emily Houlditch; edited historical note and added audio recordings</eventdescription> </maintenanceevent> </maintenancehistory> </control> <archdesc level="recordgrp"> <did> <unittitle>First Baptist Church (Greensboro, N.C.) Records</unittitle> <unitid>MS605</unitid> <repository> <corpname> <part>Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives</part> </corpname> </repository> <langmaterial> <language langcode="eng">English</language> </langmaterial> <physdescstructured coverage="whole" physdescstructuredtype="spaceoccupied"> <quantity>2.31</quantity> <unittype>Linear Feet</unittype> </physdescstructured> <physdesc localtype="container_summary">5 document boxes and 1 half-document box</physdesc> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <daterange> <fromdate standarddate="1951">1951</fromdate> <todate standarddate="1984">1984</todate> </daterange> </unitdatestructured> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">1951-1984</unitdate> <abstract id="aspace_a82312f1e80fa397807519ed9bef0ebf">The church met informally as early as 1850 under the leadership of Elder Elias Dodson. In 1859, Greensboro Baptist Church was formally constituted. The church has undergone three name changes: Greensboro, 1859-1887; West Washington Street, 1887-1902; and First, 1902. This collection contains a run of <title render="italic"><part>First Baptist News</part></title> from 1951 to 1967, a small amount of other history materials, and audio recordings of sermons and talks from 1952-1974.</abstract> <origination label="Creator"> <corpname source="naf"> <part>Greensboro First Baptist Church (Greensboro, N.C.)</part> </corpname> </origination> </did> <bioghist id="aspace_b67c9084dce3eaa7aac0ae4152aade7f"> <head>Historical Note</head> <p>This church met informally as early as 1850 under the leadership of Elder Elias Dodson. Prior to its constitution, it was an arm of Madison Church and a member of Beulah Baptist Association until 1856 when it joined Liberty Baptist Association. On March 13, 1859, Greensboro Baptist Church was formally constituted under the leadership of Dr. John Mitchell and Elders Thomas E. Skinner and Levi Thorn. There were fourteen charter members. Histories indicate charter members were both Black and white. The newly constituted church returned to the Beulah Baptist Association later that year. In 1894 the church joined the Piedmont Baptist Association.</p> <p>Initially, the church worshiped in a building on South Elm Street, purchased from the Methodist Church in 1851. A new building was erected on South Elm Street around 1871 but was destroyed by fire in 1885. The church met at a temporary location until dedicating a structure on West Washington Street in 1887. In 1906, a new church was built on the corner of West Market and Eugene Streets. By 1952, the church moved into its current building on Madison Avenue, now Friendly Avenue. This building was dedicated January 1, 1956.</p> <p>Dr. J. Clyde Turner became pastor in 1910 and stayed until his retirement in 1948. Dr. Claud Bowen became pastor in 1948, a time in which the church experienced rapid growth. The church staff expanded and two new churches were established - Lawndale Baptist and Hunter Hills Baptist. Bowen retired in 1973 and Dr. Alton McEachern assumed the role of pastor from 1974 to 1987. Dr. W. Randall Lolley became pastor from 1990 to 1997. Dr. Kenneth W. Massey served as pastor from 1997 to 2011. During that time, the church voted to leave the Southern Baptist Convention in 2004 and is now aligned with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.</p> <p>Sources: <list><item>Culclasure, Scott P. <title render="italic"><part>In every good work: a history of First Baptist Church Greensboro, North Carolina</part></title> Available online at <ref actuate="onrequest" href="https://archive.org/details/ineverygoodworkh00culc" show="new">https://archive.org/details/ineverygoodworkh00culc</ref></item><item>Turner, J. Clyde (John Clyde). <title render="italic"><part>A century of service: history of First Baptist Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, 1859-1959.</part></title> Available online at <ref actuate="onrequest" href="https://archive.org/details/centuryofservice00turn/mode/2up" show="new">https://archive.org/details/centuryofservice00turn/mode/2up</ref></item></list></p> </bioghist> <scopecontent id="aspace_9a5d9222a8fa558e3f0b7422a25ff31a"> <head>Collection Overview</head> <p>This collection contains a run of <title render="italic"><part>First Baptist News</part></title> from 1951 to 1967, as well as a small amount of other history materials for the First Baptist Church of Greensboro, N.C. The collection also includes audio recordings of sermons and talks from 1952-1974. Formats include 32 reel-to-reel tapes and 38 dictation discs.</p> </scopecontent> <prefercite id="aspace_c4b529fdaef850a04b66a47de8696611"> <head>Preferred Citation</head> <p>First Baptist Church (Greensboro, N.C.) Records (MS605), Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.</p> </prefercite> <accessrestrict id="aspace_66f2bb6f576ed91e41cd7f5951b402ca"> <head>Access Restrictions</head> <p>This collection is open for use.</p> </accessrestrict> <userestrict id="aspace_a66ff3e0d286f5c6016bbd3841bb179a"> <head>Copyright Notice</head> <p>The nature of the WFU Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of ZSR Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.</p> </userestrict> <relatedmaterial id="aspace_c52ff876e0ca4864468e67940c37ef67"> <head>Related Materials</head> <p>Related materials are available in <ref actuate="onrequest" href="https://wakespace.lib.wfu.edu/handle/10339/110020" show="new">Claud B. Bowen Papers (MS509)</ref>.</p> <p>The <ref actuate="onrequest" href="https://wakespace.lib.wfu.edu/handle/10339/92812" show="new">North Carolina Baptist Church and Association Files (MS623)</ref> may also hold related records.</p> </relatedmaterial> <controlaccess> <subject source="lcsh"> <part>Baptists -- North Carolina -- Guilford County -- History -- Sources</part> </subject> <subject source="lcsh"> <part>Church records and registers -- North Carolina -- Guilford County</part> </subject> <geogname source="lcsh"> <part>Guilford County (N.C.) -- Church history -- Sources</part> </geogname> <subject source="lcsh"> <part>Church records and registers -- North Carolina -- Greensboro</part> </subject> </controlaccess> <dsc> <c id="aspace_a3e362d41a6b5f584f6195dcc5e7c1ec" level="series"> <did> <unittitle>Church materials</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <daterange> <fromdate standarddate="1951">1951</fromdate> <todate standarddate="1984">1984</todate> </daterange> </unitdatestructured> </did> <c id="aspace_df3ef64807a2343efaf4dbfcb5aeb046" level="file"> <did> <unittitle><title render="italic"><part>News</part></title> bulletins</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <daterange> <fromdate standarddate="1951-11">1951-11</fromdate> <todate standarddate="1967-06">1967-06</todate> </daterange> </unitdatestructured> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">1951 November-1967 June</unitdate> <container altrender="Document box" id="aspace_54f962d40b371b13ac30a39f167ebb88" label="Mixed Materials" localtype="box">1</container> <container id="aspace_472faffb53624fee786cf86d413ec097" localtype="folder" parent="aspace_54f962d40b371b13ac30a39f167ebb88">1-7</container> <container altrender="Document box" id="aspace_1ae28e44e5badb23df82717a022d2bad" label="Mixed Materials" localtype="box">2</container> <container id="aspace_7881707a0b9c3e5a3860ef6d918ef325" localtype="folder" parent="aspace_1ae28e44e5badb23df82717a022d2bad">1-6</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_0af5be4924f3606de42cafe78e5705d4" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Dedication programs</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1956-01-01">1956 January 1</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container altrender="Document box" id="aspace_749313aff2452f90979222325f799570" label="Mixed Materials" localtype="box">2</container> <container id="aspace_5b9fddd9db3137ea2be7b0f718291122" localtype="folder" parent="aspace_749313aff2452f90979222325f799570">7</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_8c8e097bccd9047918c07ffa9985e545" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Anniversary and pastor materials</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <daterange> <fromdate standarddate="1959">1959</fromdate> <todate standarddate="1984">1984</todate> </daterange> </unitdatestructured> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">1959, 1964, 1984</unitdate> <container altrender="Document box" id="aspace_2ad632e4f071402517fe65d8eb31cf2b" label="Mixed Materials" localtype="box">2</container> <container id="aspace_6138b90a2dd973b685d565d8433e97e4" localtype="folder" parent="aspace_2ad632e4f071402517fe65d8eb31cf2b">8</container> </did> </c> </c> <c id="aspace_fe9ea71565ef7e6f50053527a8d1726d" level="series"> <did> <unittitle>Audio recordings</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <daterange> <fromdate standarddate="1952">1952</fromdate> <todate standarddate="1975">1975</todate> </daterange> </unitdatestructured> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">1952-1974 and undated</unitdate> </did> <c id="aspace_913fc9ee2695f734a3db3eae9d6978c1" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Unmarked audio recordings</unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">undated</unitdate> <container id="aspace_10fd90755925f47a708c37e2d8f32ff9" label="Audio" localtype="box">3</container> <container id="aspace_7c41c3c1275210e53fa0847c18d9a4ea" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_10fd90755925f47a708c37e2d8f32ff9">1-3</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_a5fadd4adc41f53dba0a4a70ae631645" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Morning service, parts 1-3</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1952">1952 November 30</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_f84112ab1e9202dccee72be006cd0152" label="Audio" localtype="box">3</container> <container id="aspace_7a7e0296969eeb6d502b633fd36acbd0" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_f84112ab1e9202dccee72be006cd0152">4-6</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_0dab9767a9c384b98f64c3e9d3271375" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Evening service, parts 1-2</unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">1952 November 30</unitdate> <container id="aspace_c66eeebd022d347b7f4d5a2198579d03" label="Audio" localtype="box">3</container> <container id="aspace_a54b2b90cc3b66794ed8e7de97639a85" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_c66eeebd022d347b7f4d5a2198579d03">7-8</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_fb0227abd3bff80c962563168d9d6565" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Morning service, Dr. J. Clyde Turner</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1959">1959 March 8</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_5ccdb4f5eb60a616b5c9853fd1470720" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_641c6606e1f59805a5db4fe0a1015bd3" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_5ccdb4f5eb60a616b5c9853fd1470720">1</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_94635547435e62a836a4bd07f9988913" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Evening service, Dr. J. Clyde Turner </unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1959">1959 March 8</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_7673849be3f44ce30bd3b08d5a1bec97" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_c2b1c879e034010d717eb89c94950b1d" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_7673849be3f44ce30bd3b08d5a1bec97">2</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_71501f9fb1124a0765acdb866b7ccd5a" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Morning service</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <daterange> <fromdate standarddate="1963">1963</fromdate> </daterange> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_894523c47ea5109471053a251c9e3ce9" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_601e099d4ea33beff600993965c6ab34" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_894523c47ea5109471053a251c9e3ce9">3</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_0d9a0aa45943c1eb66927bc12555a19d" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Rabbi Joe Asher</unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">1963 October 13</unitdate> <container id="aspace_81dc9181fe725a0a02e800437c7bc824" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_f3b9044f2ce61b28362538ecbc6e546b" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_81dc9181fe725a0a02e800437c7bc824">4</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_9e6175742d3f812169d9f469bd926eb2" level="file"> <did> <unittitle> <i>Christian Science</i> </unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">1963 November 3</unitdate> <container id="aspace_a9717ce1109877587d2129bbfe8f5268" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_df06c779c5d6745cf4f7ded82c95ede9" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_a9717ce1109877587d2129bbfe8f5268">5</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_016c9a9fab0ddae4c804165a3a4b14c6" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Dr. Claud B. Bowen retirement</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1973">circa 1973</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_ca666665c9fc8759b4183f32aa1b9c1e" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_1155137c057b261aaeb174d2defc1c0f" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_ca666665c9fc8759b4183f32aa1b9c1e">6-8</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_193d0b0e94c839c51369a447426149df" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Dr. W.A. Criswell, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas T.X., "Speaking in Tongues"</unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">undated</unitdate> <container id="aspace_69ac63c69c79b09bac5bca14fb389390" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_d4b51eaa994298c60964cf834930d03c" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_69ac63c69c79b09bac5bca14fb389390">9</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_7c5d800bc6478b910d0d2d3bf04d2f03" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>"Hinduism"</unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">undated</unitdate> <container id="aspace_51b45187eac73ee5d8aed74b87ea0c60" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_c330c625a6917bd4d904585231311e6c" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_51b45187eac73ee5d8aed74b87ea0c60">10</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_0a92fce3b740f97818e5f9a5f1f68160" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Dr. Milner, Quaker</unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">undated</unitdate> <container id="aspace_f7da2c4d46862c0b7e81e67505f65c7e" label="Audio" localtype="box">4</container> <container id="aspace_d28108d43e6667ceacee38617e72af9f" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_f7da2c4d46862c0b7e81e67505f65c7e">11</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_49998b6c3bf512ba7960e454121842ca" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>New member indoctrination</unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">undated</unitdate> <container id="aspace_487828ee69c9eea63b23f2a35599cbfa" label="Audio" localtype="box">5</container> <container id="aspace_e1eb4798fd06da731cf614562b55bbbe" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_487828ee69c9eea63b23f2a35599cbfa">1</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_ec9fc778ccc98eefddf68677ea286fd4" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Installation of Dr. Alton McEachern</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1974">1974 January 27</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_fc93ab5e377a4e02357fa6cd51d620a1" label="Audio" localtype="box">5</container> <container id="aspace_04f22a43928324f81be037874fc483fe" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_fc93ab5e377a4e02357fa6cd51d620a1">2</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_fe9102258d8a975acbe8196cdbcd5470" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Dr. Alton McEachern sermons</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1974">1974 January 6 - April 14</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_01cdcdd6ba02a86d008179c16c286a66" label="Audio" localtype="box">5</container> <container id="aspace_65d07a1d4128c0dc133fa2eab9d221af" localtype="reel" parent="aspace_01cdcdd6ba02a86d008179c16c286a66">3-13</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_a432cde81d75b25e4a6285a516d6d7c6" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Sermon dictation discs</unittitle> <unitdate datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive">undated</unitdate> <container id="aspace_e2f0e59d17d941d1812d0408e284b00d" label="Audio" localtype="box">6</container> <container id="aspace_456a4ee5a2332e882b07a5d14470bf39" localtype="folder" parent="aspace_e2f0e59d17d941d1812d0408e284b00d">1</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_97b2dabc8027567c8ba299ef8a802217" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Sermon dictation discs</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1963">1963 January - December</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_72cc318664f9640393fdff9feae2363f" label="Audio" localtype="box">6</container> <container id="aspace_556c9d5f167ad7d2ff5f4df48fb023fb" localtype="folder" parent="aspace_72cc318664f9640393fdff9feae2363f">2</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_6124440ee6197775af1129c02544e1fb" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Sermon dictation discs</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1964">1964 January-March</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_c2cf69f2ab2c5e5748075b0420d14cf3" label="Audio" localtype="box">6</container> <container id="aspace_5c1bbab46c6e9f89fabb8193cb38d638" localtype="folder" parent="aspace_c2cf69f2ab2c5e5748075b0420d14cf3">3</container> </did> </c> <c id="aspace_9fe296059d75e7a5118fc6be87c0ccde" level="file"> <did> <unittitle>Sermon dictation discs</unittitle> <unitdatestructured datechar="creation" unitdatetype="inclusive"> <datesingle standarddate="1965">1965 March 28</datesingle> </unitdatestructured> <container id="aspace_aa4b534f078a0537827248ba0e21c5f3" label="Audio" localtype="box">6</container> <container id="aspace_598ae56343866a3e1279bd880c02d31d" localtype="folder" parent="aspace_aa4b534f078a0537827248ba0e21c5f3">4</container> </did> </c> </c> </dsc> </archdesc> </ead>
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