The UAFWBC Story

The Free Will Baptist Church is not a movement which has sprung up within the past few years. History accords a place for this movement as far back as the early seventeenth century. An entire church, consisting of pastor and congregation, came from Wales and settled on the Delaware River on what was known as Welsh Tract. From this group came several men who preached the Arminian doctrine in contrast to the prevailing Cavinistic doctrine of the day.

One of these men, Paul Palmer, is credited with organizing the first Free Will Baptist Church in 1727 in Perquimans County, N. C. The work in the northeast was instituted under the leadership of Benjamin Randall, who organized the first Free Will Baptist Church in the area in New Durham, N. H., in June 30, 1780. The General Conference of Free Will Baptist was organized in 1827.
Upon the emancipation of the Negro slaves, many churches were organized having all black memberships and ministers. In the year 1898, the first Negro General Conference grew into the United American Free Will Baptist Conference, Incorporated in the year 1968.

CHURCH HISTORY (recorded by Rev. S. H. P. Edmondson)
The Rev. Benjamin organized the first Free Will Baptist Church in June 30,1780 at New Durham, N. H. After the Covenant was presented and approved, the Bible was presented as the only rule of Faith and Practice.

Number of members – Seven

Benjamin Randall, Robert Boody, Nathaniel Buzzell, Joseph Boody, Judieth Charltel, Margery Boody, and Mary Buzzell signed the Covenant as Free Will Baptist.

The policy of the Free Will Baptist has been gradually developed, as increasing numbers and changing circumstances have required. Randall had no plan of operations originally, for the Denomination had its origin in the Providence of God, and not the purposes of man. After three and a half years a quarterly meeting was started, and in so doing, each church surrendered a part of its former independence, and received the Counsel’s co-operation and support.

This was a wise arrangement, and the first General Conference convened at Tunbridge, V. T. in October 1827. Nineteen delegates were present from New England, and one from New York. Thirty ministers were present. The meeting was called to order by Nathaniel King. Prayer by Jonathan Woodman. Rev. Enoch Place was president and Hosea B. Quinby was clerk.

Rev. Robert Tash was the first colored man to be ordained in the General Conference (1827).

The first Women Home Mission Society was organized at Dover, N.H. in 1834. In 1871 $0.50 was the standard for Education.

The first Free Will Baptist Sunday School Union was organized, February 25, 1836.

The First State Convention was organized in 1871. The object of the Convention was for the purpose of caring for the Delegate churches and church extensions.

In 1883, the name Free Baptists and Free Will Baptists are to be regarded as synonymous.

In 1898, the Spanish American War was the National trouble, with fights for Cuban Freedom. During these perilous times, we towered to West Florida amids the soldiers, war trains, guns and heavy artillery. In 1916, there was heavy migration from the South to the North. Thousands of our people have migrated but the old church continues to stand throughout this South Land, and it will stand forever. We are busy now immigrating souls for the united Eternity.

In 1917, on Good Friday, before Easter Sunday, President Woodrow Wilson, declared war against Germany. The United States began mobilizing its soldiers for war. The churches got busy and prayed for the victory of the United States, and God gave us the victory. The church is continuing to mobilize soldiers for God’s Kingdom.

CHURCH HISTORY (recorded by Rev. Dr. K. S. Luckie)
RE: Book of Discipline, 1903
The General Conference of 1899 saw that the advanced state of the connection, and the exigency of the times renders it necessary to revise our Book of Discipline, which such alterations and amendments as will make it expressive of the sentiments and usages of the denomination. Accordingly a committee of revision was appointed to accomplish the desired work.

In the meantime, the General Conference having been incorporated by the General Assembly of North Carolina on the 2nd day of March, 1901, convened at St. John’s Church, in the town of Kinston, North Carolina, on the 8th day of May, 1901. After much assiduous labor, the Fourth Revision of The First Discipline has been prepared, and the same ordered to be published under the auspices of the of the General Conference session held December 3-5, 1902 at Dunn’s Chapel in Dunn, North Carolina.

The committee acknowledges its indebtedness to our former elders for the verification of the foundation of the principles upon which we stand. Yet we have labored most studiously to make a volume that would serve as an exponent of the practices of our beloved connection to those who are not personally acquainted with them. Also it will serve as a convenient textbook for the churchman.

While we acknowledge the Scriptures as our only infallible rule of faith and practice, we need such a manual as this for convenient reference. If should be widely diffused and carefully studied by our ministry and membership, which we confess our inability to the arduous task set before us and the scrutinizing eye of the critical, we hope that this work will be the means of carrying the desired blessings to many.

The committee have secured the copyright of this Book of Discipline, under the title of “The United American Free Will Baptist Faith” present it to you trusting that all the Brotherhood may find within this sacred volume that which they have long desired.

God speed the work, is the prayer of your humble servants.

Elder T. Draughton
Elder W. H. Randall
Elder G. B. McNeil
Elder J. H. Isler,
Elder A. Blount