Bear Creek Congregational Church
"....and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18 KJV
Pastor: Rev. John R. Rudd, Sr.
The History of Bear Creek Congregational Church
Bear Creek Church was founded on October 25, 1914, in the Bloomwood Community of Robbins, North Carolina.
The members of Bear Creek Church worshipped with the members of the Methodist in the same building for
several years. The minister at that time was Rev. A.C. Pickney. Church worship services were held in the
old school building which is now the dining hall of Bear Creek Congregational Church.
There were many changes that took place during the organizing and establishment of the Congregational Church
It was decided that they should start prayer meetings on March 12, 1916. In February 1917 the church decided to
have a board meeting every three months. Christian Endeavor was organized in June 1919 with Florence Maness
elected as president. A young girls' Missionary was formed about the same time. In November 1920, Thanksgiving
services were held and the amount of the offering raised was $2.11 which was sent to the children's orphanage at
Alfred Lawless in Atlanta, GA. The first usher board was organized on October 13, 1929, with G. Coronis as chairman
and Ms. Onnie Brower Garner became the first usher. In November 1929, Ms. Aggie Maness Dowd was added to the
board.
It was moved and second that the pastor would teach music in the afternoon in the year 1929, Rev. Matthew Neil
McRae preached his first sermon as pastor in 1922. He stated he could not come to every preaching Sunday, but had
a man he could send (except for special service, he would come himself). The church promised to pay him $70.00
for that year. Later, Rev.McRae came as pastor and helped build the rock church.
The first by-laws of the church were presented by Pastor McRae on April 8, 1922. In 1937, the Congregationalists
decided to build another church under the leadership of Rev.Matthew Neal McRae, Mr.Henry Brower ( Deacon), Mr
D.L. Maness(Trustee), Mrs. Mamie Thomas (Deaconess) and Mrs. Flossie Johnson(Church Clerk). The church was
constructed of white flint stone which was gathered from the fields and hills throughout the community. The stones were
gathered, placed on wagons, and carried to the church by the mules. The building fund project was for each person to
give a contribution of $5.00 for the construction of the new church building. Other fundraising projects included: cake
walks, box parties, and singing programs such as quartets. The young people were very excited about helping to build
the church. Under the leadership of Pastor McRae, the church grew and the churches grouped in 1938. They were Bear
Creek, Troy, Mt.Gilead, Ashsboro, Pekin(Green Lake), Salem, Strieby, Dry Creek, Collins Chapel, and Tempting.The Bear
Creek Congregational Church joined the CCNA-Congregational Christian National Association in the year 1957. In the
year of 1962, Rev. Argo Melvin came to us as pastor and we have had six ministers come out of Bear Creek Church.
They are Ezell Maness, Ronzell Maness, Eleanore Scotten, Yolanda Scotton, and Rachel Brower-----three of whom are
serving other churches. In the year of 1963, the church decided to remodel. We added a choir loft and two rooms which
were constructed with the white flint rock. Rev, Samuel Davis was the contractor and Mr. K.T. Wyatt did the rock work
which was finished in 1974. On December 13, 1975, the cornerstone was laid by Mr.Wyatt and the masons. A special
service was held on December 14, 1975, with Pastor Melvin giving the message. Then the masons took over. Remarks
were made by Grandmaster Dave Goodson, Past Master D.D.Brower, Master Carl Simmons, and Past Master D.C.
Shamberger. The prayer of dedication was given by Robert Reeves. The badge was presented to Rev. J.A.Dowd
(being the oldest living member). The cornerstone was then unveiled. We thank God for our Pastor, our Associated
Ministers, and all of our members. Our Church motto is "Through it all, we have walked by faith". To God be the
glory for all things He has done.
Bear Creek Associate Ministers
Associate Minister: Rev. J. Larry Barrett
Associate Minister: Rev. R. Viola Brower
Associate Minister: Prophet Dwayne T. Simmons
Sunday School: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sunday 9:00 a.m
Sunday Morning Worship: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Bible Study: Every Wednesday Night 6:30 p.m.
Revival: 2nd Sunday in September 7:00 p.m.
Monday-Wednesday
Online Streaming: Facebook Live 2nd,3rd, & 4th Sundays
Our Monthly Calendar of Events
February--------2nd Sunday is Unity Annual Choir anniversary at 3:00 pm
March------------2nd Sunday during morning worship service, we celebrate
Pastor Rudd's Pastoral Anniversary/That afternoon is the
male chorus anniversary at 3:00 pm
April--------------4th Sunday is the Senior Choir's Annual Choir Anniversary at 3:00 pm.
May---------------1st Sunday is the Annual Missionary Program at 3:00 pm
June--------------4th Sunday is the youth choir's Annual Choir Anniversary at 3:00 pm
July---------------2ndSunday is the Annual Men and Women's Day Program at 3:00 pm
September------2ndSunday is the Annual Revival service at 3:00 pm, 3rd Saturday and
3rd Sunday is the BC Ensemble's Annual Choir Anniversary (Saturday
at 6:00 p.m./Sunday at 3:00 p.m.)
November-------2nd Sunday is the Church Anniversary/Founder's Day Program at 3:00 pm
Directions to the Church:
From Greensboro: Take 220 South to the Robbins /Seagrove Exit. At the stop sign turn left. At the the stoplight. Continue straight
across onto Hwy 705 South, At the stoplight in Robbins turn right. At the next stoplight go straight across. Travel approximately 1/4 miles. Turn right onto the first paved right (Spies Road). Go approximately 1.1 miles. After you cross the railroad tracks.go around the curve and turn right onto Bear Creek Church Road. Church straight ahead.
From Sanford: Take Hwy 15/501/US 1 South to Hwy 24/27 West. Travel through Carthage for approximately 12 miles to Hwy 705 North. At the stoplight, turn right, onto Hwy 705 North. Go approximatelty 2 miles to the stoplight in Robbins. Turn left, Travel
approximatelty 1.4 miles. Turn right onto the first paved right(Spies Road). Go approximatelty 1.1 miles. After crossing the railroad tracks go around the curve and turn right onto Bear Creek Church Road, Church straight ahead.
Church email: bearcreekchurch@nccongregation.org
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