History

Wells Chapel Missionary Baptist Church located on Hwy 41 west of Wallace, NC was organized in 1756. It was the 22nd Baptist church organized in North Carolina. Originally it was called Bull Tail Meeting House. Samuel Newton was called to serve as the first pastor of the church and continued in that capacity until his death during the Revolutionary War.

In 1835 the church voted to change its name to Wells Chapel Baptist Church. Between 1865 and 1867 a new building was erected. The original building was given to the colored people who attended Wells Chapel Church so they could form their own church. It was moved to Harrells, NC and today is known as Keithern Chapel.

Records show that women were given their rights to work in the church in 1869. A missionary society was formed in 1825.

Wells Chapel has been instrumental in constituting several other churches including the First Baptist in Wilmington, a church a Moores Creek and Siloam Baptist Church in Harrells.

1756	Originally called Bull Tail Meeting House, Wells Chapel Baptist Church was established in 1756, the 22nd Baptist Church organized in North Carolina.
1802	Elder William Wells Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1802
1822	Jesse Rogers Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1822.
1823	George Fennell, Hiram Stalling, Enoch Herring, G.W. Hutman, Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1823
1825	A Women's missionary society was formed in 1825.
1826	David Rogers Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1826
1834	William Finley Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1834
1835	In 1835 the church voted to change its name to Wells Chapel Baptist Church
1843	David Wells Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1843.
1865	Between 1865 and 1867 a new building was erected. The original building was given to the African Americans who attended Wells Chapel Church so they could form their own church. It was moved to Harrells, NC and today is known as Keithern Chapel.
1869	Records show that women were given their rights to work in the church in 1869
1874	William Bland Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1874
	Enoch Alderman Ordained to Gospel Ministry
1885	Harrells Store Parsonage 1885
1919	R.J. Hall & R.F. Hall Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1919
1923	Ralph Herring Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1923
1926	Sunbeams Teachers Mrs. Mary Wells Johnson and Miss. Mary Lou Powers
1927	Sunday School Rooms were Built 1927
1930	Girls In Action established approximately 1930-1950.
1954	Parsonage $10,000 & $200 for land 1954
1962	Wing was built, auditorium brick veneered and built additional rooms 1962
1964	Installed Baptistery, renovated auditorium, and brick veneered the wing. Installed new furniture in auditorium and installed carpet on the floor 1964
1964	Rev. & Mrs. M.S. McLean donated the painting over the baptistery 1964.
1965	Harvest Day Established as 2nd Sunday in October 1965.
1968	Carl Johnson Ordained to Gospel Ministry 1968
1973	Present parsonage 1973
1974	Purchased an additional acre of land for expansion 1974
1977	Baptist Young Women organized 1977 with the encouragement of Mrs. Ruth Carr. The first president was Patricia Gazaleh.
1981	225th anniversary with 10 preachers present 1981.
1983	The Crusaders, a group for young boys was organized in 1983-1984. Kathy Newkirk was the first leader of The Crusaders.
1984	Began Senior Adult Ministry 1984.
1988	Participated in World Mission Conference 1988
1990	1990 Paved Parking lot, Built carport, installed handrails, carpeted sanctuary and prepared historical room.
2002	Carport catches fire and is rebuilt within the week 2002
2004	Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall Refurbished
2005	Historical Marker erected in front of the Church. Recognizing Wells Chapel Baptist Church as one of the first churches established in Sampson County.
2006	Wells Chapel celebrated it's 250th Anniversary. The Church Steeple was erected in memory of Mr. John Johnson.