The NC Baptist Historical Collection includes:

• over 16,000 books, periodicals, association annuals and other printed materials
• church records
• association minutes
• church vertical files
• 1000 biographical folders containing information on and photographs of Baptist pastors and Wake Forest alumni

In addition, a complete set of the print version of the Biblical Recorder, the official journal of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, published biweekly and in existence since 1833, is available in the NC Baptist Historical Collection. Access to the recently digitized and completely searchable Biblical Recorder is also available. The Biblical Recorder office also publishes an online version of the journal which varies slightly from the print version. To access the online version, or for more information about the history, subscription information, or staff information, you may visit biblicalrecorder.org.

The North Carolina Baptist Historical Collection’s church records collection is composed of original records (some dating back to the 1700s), photocopies of records, and microfilmed records. We have digitized our paper finding aids and lists to assist researchers interested in our Baptist church records.

In some cases, we may have one of each of these types of records and in other cases may only have a vertical file. In addition, some published church histories have been cataloged and can be found in the library’s online catalog.

Church history committees and individual researchers are welcome to visit the collection and view these church records. Visiting researchers are asked to make an appointment at least three business days in advance of a proposed visit.

Although the NCBHC no longer does in-house microfilming of church records, we purchase copies of all North Carolina church records microfilmed by the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives in Nashville, Tennessee. Churches are strongly encouraged to have their records microfilmed by the SBHLA. For information on the microfilming program, call 1-615-244-0344.

If you have questions or need help, see our FAQs or contact Special Collections & Archives at 336-758-6175.