CLAYTON – Members and friends of Little Creek Primitive Baptist Church recently held a ceremony to unveil a historical marker in front of the church. Todd Johnson, Executive Director of the Johnston County Heritage Center presided over the ceremony.
The marker commemorates the establishment of the church on July 20, 1889 on land donated by the James Marion and Eliza Johnson Parrish family. The church, though renovated several times, still stands on the original property today.
A charter member of the church, Mrs. Sally Casey, is credited with naming the church “Little Creek,” most likely in recognition of its proximity to Little Creek, where members were baptized in the early years of the church. In later years, baptisms were carried out in local ponds, primarily those of W. J. Woodard and Richard F. Olive.
In addition to commemorating the church’s 134 years of existence, the marker also recognizes the two pastors who served longest. Elder T. Floyd Adams served as pastor from September 1927 until his death in May 1973, for a total of 45 years and 9 months.
Elder Adams pastored several churches throughout North Carolina however; he served Little Creek longer than any other church.
Elder R.L. Fish was called as assistant pastor of the church, while Elder Adams was having some health problems in January 1971. After the death of Elder Adams in July 1973, Elder Fish was called to serve the church for almost 40 years until his death in April 2013.
Craig Olive became pastor of Little Creek soon after the death of Elder Fish.
Several Deacons who served the church were Matthew Casey, W. J. Woodard, Ray Casey, George Capps, Richard Olive and Craig Olive. The two remaining members were on hand to unveil the marker, Janet McGee Blalock and Craig Olive.
Several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and son-in-law of Elder Adams attended the ceremony, traveling from Atlanta, Georgia, Cary, Raleigh and Greenville, NC. Elder Fish’s daughter also attended.
Elder Craig Olive stated, “It is a great honor to have family members of the Adams and Fish families on hand for the unveiling ceremony.”
Little Creek Primitive Baptist Church is a member of the Little River Primitive Baptist Association and holds services on the third Sunday of each month at 11:00am, as it has since its establishment. State Road 1563, where the church sits on, was named, Little Creek Church Road in 1991. Little Creek Church has a long continuous history in the area.
The church commissioned local artist, Loretta Langdon, watercolor paintings entitled Little Creek Primitive Baptist Church, circa 1936 and Little Creek Primitive Baptist Church, circa 2008. Elder Adams, founder of the Adams Concrete Company, donated the exterior stone in 1960, which is still in operation today. Copies of these illustrations are still on sale and may be obtained by calling Craig Olive at 919-333-0683 or at the Johnston County Heritage Center in Smithfield.
