With God as their guiding spirit and source of strength, dreams of a place
for worship became a reality when a small group of dedicated families started
Andrew Chapel Baptist Church in 1889. Sharing a deep abiding faith in God
manifested through worshipful gatherings beneath the shelter of what was called
a "Bush Harbor," prayers of thanks and songs of praise gave birth to the first
edifice.
An existing record shows that early leaders came up with the idea for
starting Andrew Chapel, including Deacon Andrew Hasben who donated the land
on which the "Bush Harbor" was located. As the faithful families continued to
gather for worship, God continued to bless Andrew Chapel and growth in
membership prompted the need to purchase land to build a church.
After 37 years of worship beneath the "Bush Harbor," the congregants'
desire for a church structure became a reality when their first framed structure
was built on Big Buck Boulevard in 1926. The previous house of worship was
built in 1971 under the leadership of the late Pastor Leroy Taylor. As God's
blessings continued to be evidenced by constant growth in membership and
resources, that mortgage was burned eight years later, on September 15, 1979.
From its modest and very humble beginnings in 1889 through July 1995,
Andrew Chapel had eleven pastors. They were the late Pastors Ancrum, N. C.
Nix, H. D. Sharperson, W. K. Rickenbacker, Thomas Owens, Eddie Davis, Jethro
Toomer, J. J. Abney, H. W. White, L. M. Tyler, and Leroy Taylor. We remember
these men with enormous appreciation for their hard work and commitment laid
the foundation for the church's longevity and rich legacy that continue today
well into the 21st Century.
As it is written in Jeremiah 3:15, ". . . I will give you pastors according to
mine heart, which shall feed you knowledge and understanding," Andrew
Chapel was blessed with its twelfth pastor in July 1995 when God sent Pastor
Donald E. Greene, Jr. Pastor Greene not only came with an anointing from God
but also with his vision and a goal-oriented plan which encompassed mission
and work that would span his first ten years at Andrew Chapel. As the number of
worshipers continued to blossom, the need for a larger church to accommodate
a growing membership became an urgent priority on Pastor Greene's action
plan. Prayers for a new site were answered in 1999 when 33 acres of land were
purchased on Highway 301 North, Five Chop Road.
Under Pastor Greene's leadership, plans for a new building commenced.
The 33-acre property includes a five-acre pond, a two-story house that serves as
the Andrew Chapel House of Ministries, and the present modern edifice. The
edifice is an 18,000 square-foot building that includes a seating capacity of 700
for the congregation, 5 spacious aisles, an 80-seat choir stand, a spacious
vestibule, a nursery, a reception area in a three-office suite, and a design
conducive to the addition of balcony seating.
(Click here to for more)
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