welcome
Welcome to the fellowship of Gospel Center Baptist Church! We are a growing church in a rapidly growing area in coastal southeastern North Carolina. When God led our founders to name this church Gospel Center, it was for a vital reason. Through the years, the Gospel has been the central focus of a dual ministry. Lost souls are won to Christ and the saved are made disciples by the clear, consistent preaching and teaching of the inspired inerrant Word of God. That has been, and is, and will continue to be the focus of our fellowship, Gospel Center. We hope, as you explore our website, you will find answers to any questions you may have concerning your first visit. If there is a question that is not addressed, please feel free to reach out to us by email or through the form on our Connect Page. We look forward to worshipping with you!
Our History
In 1941, Miss Ethel Satterfield and Miss Virginia Pope, missionaries from a Baptist church in Altoona, Pennsylvania, were sent to Brunswick County. After settling in the Winnabow community, Miss Satterfield and Miss Pope visited the Varnamtown community where they organized a Bible Club which lead into the creation of Sunday School meetings. These meetings were first held on the front porch of one of the residents before moving into a nearby vacant house.​
Seeing a need for the growing fellowship, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Galloway donated a tract of land on January 4, 1945 upon which the first church building was erected. The building consisted of a sanctuary and one classroom, and the first service was held on Easter Sunday in 1945. In 1946, the congregation choose to name the church Gospel Center. Gospel Center was first organized as undenominational in December 1947 with Reverend Grover Vaughn as pastor. In 1950, Revered James C. Spivey was called and ordained to the ministry.
Gospel Center was organized as a Baptist Church on February 24, 1952 with 14 charter members. Reverend Weston Varnum was the first pastor called to Gospel Center Baptist Church. As the membership grew, classrooms were added, and in 1962 the wooden church building was sold to make way for a new brick building.
1952
Charter Members
Jim Galloway, Oneida Galloway, Thomas N. Galloway, Mildred Hansley, Charlie McCall, Lovie McCall, Carvin Robinson, Francis Varnam, Ennis Swain, George C. Swain, Lola Swain, Daisy Varnum, Rosa Varnum, Willard Varnam.
Rev. Varnum & wife Mary
1967
Rev. Hewett & wife Mildred
The new building was under construction from 1962 until 1966. Reverend Dennis Hewett was called to pastor in February 1968 and for the next two years Gospel Center Baptist Church saw the organization of Girls in Action, Sunbeams, Boys and Girls in Action, WMU, Baptist Women, Acteens, GA’s and Mission Friends.
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In 1975, the congregation consented to expand the building, and on November 28, 1979, the first service (prayer meeting) was held in the new sanctuary. In 1989, the building was expanded once again to add an educational wing which was completed in 1991 and serves as the church you see today.
We thank God for His many blessings upon our church and look forward to continuing to be a light in Varnamtown and the surrounding community as we diligently seek to do His will.