Our History
FORMED IN 1898
The First Baptist Church was born on Sunday, January 30, 1898 with eleven members. On February 26, 1898, they elected their first Pastor, Rev. C. C. Haymore. Meetings were held in member’s homes for the first year or two. On December 15, 1898, the first parcel of ground was acquired (where the King Outreach Ministry Thrift Shop is housed presently). The church’s first building housed the fellowship’s first assembling on March 25, 1900.
1941 FULL-TIME PASTOR IS CALLED
Even as early as 1900, the church records reflect the support of missions, both at home and abroad. The organized Sunday School was established that same year. The church grew as the town of King continued to grow. In 1941 the church called their first full-time pastor.
1956 OUR CHURCH HOME WAS ESTABLISHED
In 1956 the church purchased four acres across the railroad tracks (where the church buildings are located now). On February 5, 1967, services were held for the first time in a new worship facility constructed on the new property. In 1986, the church plant was enlarged adding classrooms, offices, and a new fellowship hall.
2004 NEW WORSHIP CENTER IS OPENED
On May 16, 2004, our first services were held in the new worship center. First Baptist King continues to expand and improve its facilities so that our mission and ministry as a church thrives.
2022 CALEB WALLER BECOMES PASTOR
Pastor Caleb has been shepherding our church since January 2022. A native of New Bern, NC, Pastor Caleb is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and a former deputy with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. He holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor Caleb is committed to a high view of God’s sovereignty, Christ-centered, expository preaching, and reaching the nations with the gospel. He is husband to Sarah, a native of Fairmont, NC, who previously served as an elementary school teacher and who now counts it a blessing to homeschool the Wallers’ four children—Hannah Kate, Benjamin, Eliza, and Nathan. The Wallers had the joy of serving as missionary/church planters in Bulgaria for 6 years with the International Mission Board (SBC).