Ordained Ministers

William Wells

1802

WILLIAM WELLS (ref. J.T. Albriton’s Centenniel Address at Island Creek Baptist Church June 5, 1903.  And a part was received from other reliable sources) was born about the middle of the eighteenth century on the west side of the W & W Railroad not far from the highway leading from Magnolia to Concord Baptist Church.  The first years of his ministry were spent with the Methodist denomination.  There is a tradition, as has been learned from Mrs. James Heath, his granddaughter several years ago, that while Bro. Wells was a Methodist minister, he and one of the Coopers, William or Fleet, Agreed to have a public debate on Baptist, at this church, then Bull Tail, Bro. Wells, to fortify himself, began a different and prayerful search of the scriptures.  On the day appointed for the debate, Bro. Wells came but stopped at the Church spring and sent for Elder Cooper to come out.  He asked for an extension of time, as he was not fully prepared.  Another date was set and Elder Cooper went back to the crowded Church of anxious friends of both ministers and told them to come back on another date.  At the arrival of the second appointed day, Bro. Wells braved the host of friends and spectators, went directly to the front, took Bro. Cooper by the hand and offered himself for baptism into the Baptist Faith.

Elder William Wells continued the mission work of this Church in organizing Churches in the neighboring communities, and also by training young men into the service of the Lord.  During the last thirteen years of his service here, there were six men ordained to the Gospel Ministry.  According to the only records that we have, this is about half of the entire number ordained in this church during its one hundred and ninety-five years of existence.

“Conference held at Bull Tail Meeting House Saturday before the second Sabbath in Jan 1825… Art. 5 – Bro. Swinson applied for a dismission of that branch of this Church at Concord in order to become a constituted Church at Concord.  The church agreed to dismiss the members that compose that branch of the Church except Elder William Wells who is to continue pastor of the church at Bull Tail”

Eight years later, in July 1833 there were 93 members dismissed in order to become a constituted Church at Moores Creek.

One peculiarity of Bro Wells was his refusal to accept compensation for any ministerial and pastoral labor.  On one occasion Bro. Wells, after having preached and before leaving the house, was tendered a purse of about $20.00.  He reluctantly took it and then passed it to a poor widow near him.  The brethren were aggrieved, “why” he said “after you gave it to me, was it not mine to dispose of as I pleased?”  “Yes,” said they.  “Besides” he continued, “you will readily admit that this poor widow needs the money worse than I do”.  Thus he silenced them.

Saturday before the second Sunday in July 1835 it voted unanimously to change the name of this church from Bull Tail to Wells Chapel.  Two months later September 17, 1835 our beloved William Wells departed from this life.

George Finnell

1823

The Reverend George Fennell, a pioneer Baptist minister, born 1790, married Elizabeth Bryan, a daughter of Kedar Bryan and they lived on a plantation (3,422 acres) west of Harrell’s. Reverend Fennell was a deacon of the Baptist Church in Lisbon for several years. 1823 George Fennell was ordained to Gospel Ministry.  In 1824 he was ordained for the pastoral care of Lisbon. On the Saturday before the first Sunday in October 1835, Fennell was unanimously called to take the pastoral care of Bull Tail Baptist Church which is now known as Wells Chapel Baptist Church. The most of the records for the period that Bro. Fennell served this Church are lost, however we pick them up again in 1853 and he is still pastor and continued until Dec. 1853

• George Fennell was in the legislature from 1812-15 and 1819-20

David Wells

1843

DAVID WELLS was a native of Duplin County.  He married a daughter of Enoch Newton, who evidently was a grandson of one of the three brothers of Rev. Samuel Newton, the founder of this church.  Bro. David Wells moved his membership to Bull Tail by letter from Concord February 1827.

We notice in early days a convert was baptized immediately upon confession of faith.  But when a man was given a responsible position, he was first tried and proven.  Bro. Wells was elected assistant deacon July 1830, he was ordained and given the charge as deacon July 1833.

Jan. 1825 – The evangelistic note was sounded at every resended meeting…. The Church hath unanimously agreed that between sunset and dark on every day they will petition the throne of grace for a revival of religion; and Saturday before the second Sunday in every month a day of fasting and prayer.

Sept. 1831 – A footnote, “The alarm of the negro arising is great.” Oct. 1831 – Resolved unanimously that we retire to some secret place every Sunday PM and try with the assistance of the Lord to pray for a revival of religion among us for the conversion of sinners and that the Lord will send fourth laborers into his vineyard, as the harvest is great and the laborers are few.”

Bro. David Wells was ordained to the Ministry some time between 1837 and 1853.  Jan. 1854 Elder G.W. Wallace was called as pastor by a majority of the conference.  He declined the call.  Elder David Wells agreed to preach for us until we obtain a pastor.  Although he served as pastor only two years, he was a great religious leader all his life.  He helped in every revival from 1853 until his death Nov. 20, 1863.

During the latter years of Bro. Wells an imposter came to Moores Creek Church as an evangelist.  He came with such power and enthusiasm that 52 names were added to the church roll.  After the meeting ended he went to some church in Bladen County and changed his name to Elder David Wells.  This was a great boost for him until some one who knew Bro. Wells came up and ended his racket… Moores Creek Church dropped the entire 52 from the church roll and mailed each one a letter asking them that if they were sincere in their action, to come back and they would be reinstated.  Of the 52 only two came back.

In July 1861 an offering was made to procure Bibles and Testaments for the soldiers.  In April 1862 another offering was made for testaments and tracts.

August 1863 Elder Kennedy pastor, assisted by Elder David Wells held a nine day revival resulting in 75 baptisms.  Among them were J.E. Page long a faithful deacon.   A.T. Herring father of Rev. Carey Herring and L.R. Highsmith Sunday School Superintendent, Church Clerk, Deacon and finally Senior Deacon Elder David Wells who departed from this life three months later, Nov. 20, 1863.

Ralph Herring

1923

Dr. Ralph Alderman Herring Was Ordained At Wells Chapel Baptist Church And Was The Pastor Their 1922-1923. During The 11 Months That Dr. Herring Was Pastor At Wells Chapel Baptist Church, There Were 32 New Members Added To The Membership. He Was The Son Of Rev. David Wells Herring, Former Member Of Wells Chapel Baptist Church. David Wells Herring Was A Missionary To China For 42 Years