How it all started...
In the year 1845 or 1846, the Holy Spirit spoke to the hearts of a group of gentlemen to organize a Baptist Church (PBC) in Pittsboro. Land was procured on Salisbury Street and in 1847 a Meeting House was built by local contractors, Wesley Hanks and Martin Hanks, for the sum of $1200. The congregation grew slowly. At some point thereafter, a severe windstorm destroyed the roof as well as damaged other buildings in Pittsboro. Little is known about this dark time, but for a while the congregation was disbanded. In 1878, the church was reorganized and the building remodeled. Progress was made and membership grew.
The wooden Meeting House was used until 1948, when the structure was torn down. A groundbreaking ceremony for a sanctuary and Education Building was held June 1, 1948. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held March 13, 1949. An additional three-story Educational Building was completed in 1967.
The Great Commission to Go ye therefore to spread the good news through service and word has long been heeded at PBC. Individuals and teams have traveled the world to share their faith in countries including Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba, China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Honduras, Mexico, and Greece, among others.
Pearle Johnson was the first foreign missionary to come from Pittsboro Baptist Church, teaching at the Eliza Yates School of Shanghai, China from 1915- 1949. Foreign mission service will continue in 2026, when Josh and Cari Jurius and their five children move to Athens, Greece to serve with Hellenic Ministries.
Over the years, church members have traveled all over North Carolina and the United States serving through relief efforts for disaster impacted areas, providing Vacation Bible Schools, helping homeless people and more. There have been PBC members who have traveled to South Carolina, Georgia, Vermont, New York, Alaska and other states.
Sharing the love of Jesus with our neighbors has always been a priority. Baptist Men building ramps, food drives for the Salvation Army and CORA, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, GriefShare, Prayer Quilt Ministry, Vacation Bible School, and providing Thanksgiving meal fixings to needy families are among the many ways Pittsboro Baptist members reach out and serve our community.
With God’s perfect timing of using the gifts and talents of His people, thousands learned about Jesus through the walk-through drama, Judgement House presented by PBC with Emmaus Baptist Church from 2009-2017. Thousands were uplifted when they attended PBC’s Passion Play from 2009-2016. With PBC at the helm, people from over 20 area churches were involved in the production.
In 2001, the church approved the formation of a preschool to minister to children. Beginning as Parents Morning Out, it met two days a week, from 9:00a.m. to noon, with around 20 children enrolled. Later renamed Pittsboro Baptist Preschool, it now has ??? children attending, meeting Monday through Friday, ministering to children from age one to four. The preschool is an on-going outreach ministry that has changed the lives of children and their families.
With the booming population growth of the area in recent years, it became evident in early 2024 of the need to intentionally focus even more on our community with the purpose to share God’s love. During the years 2024 and 2025, with the theme, For God So Loved Pittsboro, PBC members shared the love of God through a variety of community-wide events including providing food for East Chatham Little League Opening Day; Block Parties providing games and food; Impact Pittsboro (with Lenexa Baptist Church, Kansas), providing a food pantry, clothing, healthcare and wellness checks; and The Table Community Love Meals inviting all for fellowship and food.
The wooden Meeting House was used until 1948, when the structure was torn down. A groundbreaking ceremony for a sanctuary and Education Building was held June 1, 1948. The first worship service in the new sanctuary was held March 13, 1949. An additional three-story Educational Building was completed in 1967.
The Great Commission to Go ye therefore to spread the good news through service and word has long been heeded at PBC. Individuals and teams have traveled the world to share their faith in countries including Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba, China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Honduras, Mexico, and Greece, among others.
Pearle Johnson was the first foreign missionary to come from Pittsboro Baptist Church, teaching at the Eliza Yates School of Shanghai, China from 1915- 1949. Foreign mission service will continue in 2026, when Josh and Cari Jurius and their five children move to Athens, Greece to serve with Hellenic Ministries.
Over the years, church members have traveled all over North Carolina and the United States serving through relief efforts for disaster impacted areas, providing Vacation Bible Schools, helping homeless people and more. There have been PBC members who have traveled to South Carolina, Georgia, Vermont, New York, Alaska and other states.
Sharing the love of Jesus with our neighbors has always been a priority. Baptist Men building ramps, food drives for the Salvation Army and CORA, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, GriefShare, Prayer Quilt Ministry, Vacation Bible School, and providing Thanksgiving meal fixings to needy families are among the many ways Pittsboro Baptist members reach out and serve our community.
With God’s perfect timing of using the gifts and talents of His people, thousands learned about Jesus through the walk-through drama, Judgement House presented by PBC with Emmaus Baptist Church from 2009-2017. Thousands were uplifted when they attended PBC’s Passion Play from 2009-2016. With PBC at the helm, people from over 20 area churches were involved in the production.
In 2001, the church approved the formation of a preschool to minister to children. Beginning as Parents Morning Out, it met two days a week, from 9:00a.m. to noon, with around 20 children enrolled. Later renamed Pittsboro Baptist Preschool, it now has ??? children attending, meeting Monday through Friday, ministering to children from age one to four. The preschool is an on-going outreach ministry that has changed the lives of children and their families.
With the booming population growth of the area in recent years, it became evident in early 2024 of the need to intentionally focus even more on our community with the purpose to share God’s love. During the years 2024 and 2025, with the theme, For God So Loved Pittsboro, PBC members shared the love of God through a variety of community-wide events including providing food for East Chatham Little League Opening Day; Block Parties providing games and food; Impact Pittsboro (with Lenexa Baptist Church, Kansas), providing a food pantry, clothing, healthcare and wellness checks; and The Table Community Love Meals inviting all for fellowship and food.
Expanding the vision...
Each winter around Christmas, we go caroling along the main street, visiting local businesses and spreading cheer. This tradition brings us closer to our community and embodies the spirit of togetherness.
Where we are headed...
Throughout the years, PBC has provided numerous opportunities for believers to grow in their faith through Sunday School, Bible studies, retreats, youth camps, Baptist Training Union and more. Back in the 1950s, our history mentions cottage prayer groups for specific needs such as up-coming revivals. Bible Studies were taught in homes for a specific course and specified time. In 2005, fourteen homes committed to host the 40 Days of Purpose study for approximately two months. Several groups continued to meet afterwards. In 2010, the church encouraged all members to participate in a small group. Since then, small groups have continued to meet in homes, forming and closing as the Holy Spirit led. In 2015, the Small Group Ministry became LIFE Group- Loving People Investigating God’s Word, Fellowship Together, Evangelizing Others. In 2024, the Disciple Council was formed to provide support and guidance to leaders for Sunday School classes, LIFE Groups, and other ministries.
In 2022, Pittsboro Baptist Church spent the year celebrating its 175th Anniversary. With the theme, Building our future on a history of faith, it was a time to honor and celebrate the 175 years of Pittsboro Baptist Church’s history, to appreciate where we are today, to ignite excitement for the future and strengthen our church. It was a turning point year. In October 2021, after years of prayer, the Lord sent the Reverend Peter McDonald to be our pastor, who has since been leading us with vision, wisdom and passion to share the gospel. With the foundation of the saints that came before us, Pittsboro Baptist Church continues to be God’s People for God’s Purpose.
In 2022, Pittsboro Baptist Church spent the year celebrating its 175th Anniversary. With the theme, Building our future on a history of faith, it was a time to honor and celebrate the 175 years of Pittsboro Baptist Church’s history, to appreciate where we are today, to ignite excitement for the future and strengthen our church. It was a turning point year. In October 2021, after years of prayer, the Lord sent the Reverend Peter McDonald to be our pastor, who has since been leading us with vision, wisdom and passion to share the gospel. With the foundation of the saints that came before us, Pittsboro Baptist Church continues to be God’s People for God’s Purpose.
