Our History
In 1872, a group of Christians from several area churches: New Bethel-Rolesville and Wakefield Baptist, met under a grape harbor to discuss the founding of a church in this community. That church became Riley Hill Baptist.
Among these early pioneers was: Reverend JJ. Words, Reverend George Perry, Gabriel Montague, Willis High, Wash High, Henry High, Tom Ellis, Gaston Hodge, Henry Hopkins, Dorsey Perry, Sr., Fegan Perry, John Tyler, Byse Robertson, Jeff Jones, S r., Andrew Young, Sr., Ruffin Ferrell, and Wesley Jones.
With the appointment of the Reverend George Harris as pastor, and the building of a wooden church structure, Riley Hill Baptist Church became the new focal point for the community. Reverend Harmon Pair succeeded Reverend Harris. Over the fifty years Reverend Harris was pastor, many accomplishments were noted, including constructing a new church facility and establishing the Hope and Sunshine Clubs.
In 1922, 19-year-old Shaw University student George Signal Stokes was chosen to become the next pastor of Riley Hill Baptist. Church. Reverend Stokes completed his education in theology and served as pastor until his death in November of 1972. Under his leadership, the church participated in numerous organizational and administrative changes bringing about continuity in the church's mode of operation. In 1974, Reverend William Grover Horton took up the mantle and served until his retirement in 1987.
Among these early pioneers was: Reverend JJ. Words, Reverend George Perry, Gabriel Montague, Willis High, Wash High, Henry High, Tom Ellis, Gaston Hodge, Henry Hopkins, Dorsey Perry, Sr., Fegan Perry, John Tyler, Byse Robertson, Jeff Jones, S r., Andrew Young, Sr., Ruffin Ferrell, and Wesley Jones.
With the appointment of the Reverend George Harris as pastor, and the building of a wooden church structure, Riley Hill Baptist Church became the new focal point for the community. Reverend Harmon Pair succeeded Reverend Harris. Over the fifty years Reverend Harris was pastor, many accomplishments were noted, including constructing a new church facility and establishing the Hope and Sunshine Clubs.
On June 11, 1988, Reverend Dr. Alfonza W. Fullwood, a native of Southport, NC, accepted the call to pastor Riley Hill Baptist Church. The appointment of Reverend Fullwood as pastor signaled the beginning of a new focus and church orientation for Riley Hill. The attendance for both Sunday school and regular worship services increased dramatically. The importance of each member accepting personal responsibility for the duties of the church and the critical inclusion of education in the church's life became part of the foundation of that new focus.
With the continued increase in attendance and expansion of church services, additional space became necessary. Plans were made and completed to construct a new facility that would include classrooms and a new fellowship hall. The construction of this facility allowed the church to move closer to achieving its primary mission of ministering to the "whole person.
Riley Hill Baptist Church has been blessed with great spirit-filled shepherds who love the Lord with their hearts, minds, and souls. Being the visionary that he is, Dr.Fullwood saw the need to expand the facilities further to accommodate the continued growth of the membership and the additional ministries he envisioned for the church's future. His study of the community supported by church officers and membership resulted in the new facility's groundbreaking in April of 2009. By the Grace of God, the first worship service was held in the new sanctuary on the third Sunday in October 2010.
To that end, Riley Hill Baptist Church is committed to reaching out to the "whosoever's" of our community with a message of love and acceptance.
Moreover, Riley Hill seeks to provide a ministry that offers a non-judgmental and non-critical message of compassionate love without compromising the Word of God.
