ANSON COUNTY — In July 2026 Americans will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of our country. On Sunday, July 26, at Rocky River Baptist Church, there will also be a celebration of the church’s very special birthday.
In 1776, Rocky River Baptist was the first church organized in Anson County. The current church on Rocky River Church Road was built in 1882 atop a sloping hill on what is now Rocky River Church Road. Beginning in the 1760’s, early Anson County Baptists worshipped in two log meeting houses on the south side of Rocky River where many of them had settled. Around 1845, they began worshipping in a plank sided meeting house referred to as Rocky River Missionary Church of Christ. It was built on land located across the road from the current church.
In the 1760’s, Baptists along Rocky River were strongly influenced by Sandy Creek Baptists who built log meeting houses in what is now the town of Liberty in Randolph County. Sandy Creek became a great evangelistic center and is known as the mother of Southern Baptists. Traveling preachers were sent out from Sandy Creek to spread the good news to struggling worshippers in the surrounding counties including Anson. From its birth, Rocky River Baptist had devout, prominent preachers who nurtured the young church Among the earliest were Elder Edmund Lilly; Rev. John Culpeper Sr.; Rev. Ralph Freeman, who was enslaved but freed to preach; Rev. Samuel Morton; and Rev. G.O. Wilhoit under whose leadership the current church was built. Since that time, thirty-seven pastors have served Rocky River Baptist including the current pastor, Rev. Dennis Stegall who has been the pastor since 1992.
All are invited to attend this exciting celebration and are encouraged to wear period clothing. Sunday School will be held at 9:30. Rev. Donald Thompson, who grew up in the church and whose family has been lifelong members, will preach the 10:30 service. A covered dish luncheon will follow the service.
Before the current church was built, many outstanding preachers drew great crowds to revivals held in the brush arbor which stood on top of the hill where the present church is located. It was much loved and in use for about 100 years before it was torn down so the current church could be built. Members of the church have replicated the brush arbor, and at 1:30 there will be gospel singing and other special events under the new arbor. The fourth History of River Baptist Church, a comprehensive history recently published by Harriet M. Forbis, will be available for sale with all proceeds going to the church.