Church History

Maple Grove Baptist Church, for years, has stood as a beacon point pointing men, women, boys and girls towards the Heavenly way. In the midst of a world of turmoil, war, and at times when the ideals of the world are crumbling, this church has held the banner of Christ who said, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” 

Maple Grove Baptist Church was organized June 1927 by a committee of Baptist ministers and the leadership of Rev. J.E. Borkins who was Pastor of the First Baptist Church Apple St., Burlington, NC. The founding members include S.T. Wagstaff, John Wilson, William Tappscott, Rev. A. R. Faucette, Minnie Wagstaff Riggins, Leroy Wagstaff, John W. Faucette, Norman Faucette, Maggie Torain, James Wagstaff, Ella Wagstaff Morton, Otis Wagstaff, Stephen S. Wagstaff, Lenora Wagstaff and Addie Faucette.

The founding of this church grew from the need for a building to conduct worship services. The Della Plane School Board gave the members permission to conduct services in their school until the beginning of the school year. When the school year began, our neighboring church Clinton Memorial United Church of Christ invited us to hold services on their vacant Sundays and the church body gratefully excepted the invitation. 

In 1929 Maple Grove Baptist Church members purchased a small lot on Florence Street and erected ace very small church. At this time some of the members began losing faith and assumed that the task of building a church was to great. The faithful members, however continue to pray and God continue to pour out more blessings. The church was completed and began to grow spiritually and financially. By the year of 1952, we had outgrown the church. Maple Grove Baptist Church purchased another lot adjoining the property from Mr. Green Baynes and built another church facility which still stands on Florence Street and is used by Welcome Chapel Holiness Church. 

Later years brought additional progress and expansion by the grace of God. We were fortunate to purchase the present tract of land containing 2 9/10 acres from the Elder Floyd Haith who had already donated a tremendous amount toward the purchase of the land. In 1979, work begin on the present edifice and with the help of the Lord and faithful church members, we were blessed to move into the building in March 1980.

God had not only blessed us in the past, He has continued to even bless us more today. Dr. G.H. Badgett was our leader until 1980. Dr. Badgett’s pastoral position was vacant until April 1981 when Reverend MacArthur Pettiford began his pastoral duties. Rev. Jerry W. Raleigh, Sr. was installed on July 17, 1994 following Reverend Pettiford’s departure. God allowed and blessed our fellowship to construct a new wing consisting of board rooms, a choir room, fellowship hall, five classrooms, four restrooms and the remodeling of the Pastor’s study. 

We were blessed to have the following Pastors to serve the membership of Maple Grove Baptist Church over the years.  Namely they have been: Reverend Ira Wiley, Reverend Pender Love, Reverend Sam Warren, Reverend W. M. Chambers, Reverend Linwood T. Daye, Reverend P.W. Green, Reverend Dr. G. H. Badgett, Reverend David Warren, Reverend McArthur Pettiford and Reverend Jerry W. Raleigh, Sr. 

Our congregation has been blessed to have the following men serve as Deacons and spiritual leaders in association with the various Pastors.  Namely they have been: Deacon S. T. Wagstaff, Deacon James Watson, Deacon James Reid, Deacon Renald Jeffries, Deacon Almon Mapp, Deacon Joseph Mapp, Deacon Ed Wiley, Deacon Augustus Allison, Deacon Arthur Tinnin, Deacon Joe Harris, Deacon James Robinson, Deacon James Wagstaff, Deacon Sam Woods, Deacon William Talley, Deacon Eugene Crompton, Deacon Billy Graves and Deacon Barry Mapp.