Our History
Serving God and Our Community for over a Century
The building pictured here left was our home from 1903-1926
Humble Beginnings
Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church was organized on October 23, 1902. The organizational name was Fuquay Springs Missionary Baptist Church reflecting the Baptist belief that evangelism was a major mission. The list of fourteen charter members was compiled in 1930 by Wiley Perry Howard with seven other names who joined January 25, 1903. Dr. James A. Sexton gave the congregation a lot at the corner of Main and Academy. These hardy souls called a pastor and held their “first service in the new church” on June 27, 1903. Seven pastors later, the membership dedicated their completed wooden building on the first Sunday of December 1912.
New Location
With further expansion deemed impossible on Main Street, Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church purchased land on Woodrow Street in 1966. Here the congregation constructed a new building, moving to the present site on Sunday, May 14, 1972. In 2002, the present fellowship hall and new education facility were dedicated. Refurbishing of the sanctuary for a second time was completed in 2020.
Growth
In 1924 a first brick building was begun behind the wooden structure. Sunday School rooms and services were held in the basement on May 1, 1926 with the auditorium finally completed on the first Sunday of July, 1930. The third sanctuary was constructed directly in front of the second building in 1947. Thoroughly remodeling the older structure, the building comprised thirty-eight rooms, a kitchen, library, and other facilities by 1951.
The building pictured here was our home from 1926-1947.
The building pictured here was our home from 1947-1972.
Our Services
To date, a total of 21 men have served as pastor. From the first interim in 1903, a total of 8 men have served in interim positions. In March of 2022, FVBC called Pastor Ben Pearce to serve as our Senior Pastor. He is currently serving in that role today.
Sunday School predated the actual organization as a church and continues to the present for all age groups. Vacation Bible Schools have been conducted in the summer since 1925. A kindergarten, organized by Doris Weathers in 1963, continues today as Wee Care.
Fuquay-Varina Baptist En Espanol under Dr. Leo Guerrero began in 2007. This congregation has grown under his leadership and still endures today.
Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church joined the Raleigh Baptist Association when one month old and is active in the North Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.
Contributions annually support the Cooperative Program, The Annie Armstrong and the Lottie Moon Mission Offerings, North Carolina Baptist Men, Samaritan’s Purse Shoeboxes, and other mission opportunities.
Our Logo
MEANING
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:37-38.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Long before Fuquay-Varina was known by its current name, the town was called “Fuquay Springs,” due to a mineral spring that was discovered around 1858. People all around would flock to the water for its supposed healing properties. When tobacco farmers migrated into the area in the early 1900’s, the industry stimulated a large market for the crop that enhanced growth for not only Fuquay Springs but also for the neighboring town of Varina. In due time, the two communities would merge, forming the town of Fuquay-Varina in 1963.
While the healing waters of the spring initially brought people to the community, one might say that it was the agriculture that would keep them here to foster its growth and development. Those two elements—water and agriculture—that were so pivotal to the growth of this town are also elements that are vital to a believer’s development as well.
LIVING WATER
We need it to live. We need it to thrive. And without it, we perish. Is it any wonder then, that Jesus would compare the new life He brings to our beleaguered sinful bodies as “living water” (John 4:10; 7:38)? When we trust Jesus Christ with our lives, the Holy Spirit comes and transforms us from the inside out! Just like water, the Spirit comes and cleanses us from our sin and gives us a brand new start with God. Spiritually, the Bible says, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yet, that is only the beginning—because it’s at that point that the Holy Spirit starts to work on our growth and development as believers; a journey that will take our lifetime to complete!
THE LEAF – GROW WITH JESUS
If a plant or animal ceases to grow or develop, one might question the health of the organism. After all, growth is a natural progression for any living creature. Of course, what’s true for God’s creation is also true for His new creations as well (Ephesians 4: 14-15)! As believers in Christ, we need to develop into spiritual maturity in order to reach our full, God-given potential; and we do just that—as we engage in prayer, worship, Bible study, and community with fellow believers on a regular basis. Jesus says it best in John 15:5, when He states, I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
It is our joy at Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church to not only introduce people to the living water that Christ offers, but also to walk alongside them on this amazing life-changing journey as they grow as Christians. This is the meaning behind the water and the leaf in our logo: it symbolizes our history as a community and our journey as Christians.
It’s all about new life and growth! However, don’t just take our word for it. Come and experience it yourself! We’d love for you to come and join us. Are you interested?