Family Church Turns 100

All invited to centennial birthday party Sunday

By Emily Weaver
Daily Record of Dunn

HARNETT COUNTY – Faith Tabernacle United Holy Church Fellowship will host a special homecoming service to celebrate the church’s 100th anniversary on Sunday. All past and current members, family and friends are invited to help the congregation mark this milestone.

“… This is the time to come home,” said Virgie Weaver as she rolled gold plastic flatware into napkins inside the fellowship hall Wednesday night. Her sister and the church’s leader, Pastor Elder Martha Williams, explained how the church began more than 5,200 Sundays ago as she helped.

Their grandmother and grandfather, Florence and the Rev. Ernest Lee Walker Sr., founded the church in 1926. They began with outdoor services “with other family members and were blessed by God to purchase a half-acre of land from the late Rev. William I. Chance for $10. Construction began in 1930,” Williams noted. “The late Rev. Ernest Lee Walker Sr. pastored until his death in 1938. Left to cherish his memory and God’s vision was his wife, Mother Florence Walker, and their 13 siblings who stayed steadfast, unmovable, always abiding in the works of the Lord.”

The church has stayed and flourished in the family ever since.

“The late Rev. Nathan Walker became the next pastor who was the brother and coworker of our founder,” Williams noted. “He continued to pastor until his health failed.

“The original church building was torn down and another structure was built. Deacon Chester Williams along with other members, was instrumental in obtaining lumber to rebuild the church. During these years (1945-1949), the late Rev. Ernest Walker Jr., Evangelist Sister Artis, Rev. Adams and Bishop Arthur Davis ministered to us,” she said.

Bishop Davis came to the church on a request from Mother Florence Walker and fellow church founder, Mother Ann Walker. He served 38 years and “was a strong leader who was well versed in the history and tradition of our church,” Williams noted. “Although Bishop Davis has gone on from labor to reward, his faithful service and the many accomplishments made during his leadership shall always be remembered and remain an important part of the rich history of Faith Tabernacle.”

Elder W.H. Walker Sr., the son of Faith Tabernacle’s founding pastor and Williams’ uncle, became the next pastor to serve in 1987-1990.

“Overseer Bishop Lee Annie McNeill (W.H. Walker Sr.’s sister) was appointed pastor of Faith Tabernacle United Holy Church in the year of 1990. She trusted God and His Word while leading the church with compassion, humility, strength and prayer,” Williams noted. “One of the greatest accomplishments of Bishop McNeill’s ministry was the building of the present sanctuary.”

The congregation moved into its new place of worship, next to where the original church stood, in 1997. Five years later, the church’s mortgage was paid in full.

“Bishop McNeill’s vision extended far beyond a building,” Williams noted. “She desired to see the ministry grow, worship expand, and the fellowship prepared for what she often called ‘a great harvest.’ She also witnessed the development of the United Holy Church Fellowship and the establishment of its own Convocational District. On Jan. 30, 2011, she was consecrated as Bishop” overseeing the district she helped grow.

“Bishop McNeill appointed Elder Johnnie Mae Chance as pastor on Feb. 11, 2017,” Williams said. Chance served the church until Williams took the lead in 2018.

Williams, Weaver and their 12 siblings grew up in the church that was started by their grandparents and led by their descendants.

“It’s been an unbroken chain,” Weaver said.

Williams has served on the church’s usher board, choir, youth program and mission department and as church secretary, Sunday school teacher and Bible study teacher. She received her minister’s license in 1996 and was ordained as an elder in 2001. In addition to leading Faith Tabernacle, she also serves as the president of the Evangelism Department in the North Carolina Central District and is a member of the Presbyterian board. She holds the positions of district elder and financial secretary for both the Central District and the Palmetto Union.

“My prayer is that God will continue to use this church as an instrument to build His kingdom for His glory, and that everything we do will be pleasing in His sight,” Williams said. “I know that if we continue to be led by His Spirit, we will one day have an eternal home with Him. … In this world, we must remain faithful to God, trust Him as the head of our lives and remember that His love is everlasting. Stay encouraged, continue to stand on the Word of God, never give up and God will bring you through every trial,” she said.

Church members are planning a big celebration, starting with a worship service at 11:15 a.m. led by Bishop Dr. William H. Walker Jr., son of the church’s founder and father of Williams and Weaver. A catered dinner will follow the service.

Dr. William H. Walker Jr. is the general bishop of the United Holy Church Fellowship Inc. and is the pastor of Mt. Olive United Holy Church in Raeford.

Faith Tabernacle United Holy Church Fellowship is located at 750 Raynor McLamb Road in Bunnlevel.