The Early Church

Under the leadership of Reverence John Kerns, Antioch Baptist Church was founded and organized in Granite Quarry, North Carolina in 1913. At the time Granite Quarry was known as Woodside. The church began in an old house located hear the railroad tracks in the vicinity directly across from where the Artis and Mamie Shuford homeplace presently stands. The early church had no electricity or furniture, so members carried oil lamps and tables to the house for each service. The first revival sessions were held with Rev. Hoskins, Rev. Croons, Rev. Hawkins and Rev. Sloan as speakers. The ministers struggled along with Rev. Kerns to establish and build the first black Baptist Church in this community. Several families of the community also shared in Rev. Kern's dream to form a second black church in Granite Quarry. Together their struggle culminated in the first church building. The early church had Deacons, but no Trustees. The early Deacons were:

Deacon Clarence Gibson, Sr - Chairman

Deacon Dave Smith

Deacon Will Rodgers

Deacon Allen Saunders

Deacon Earl Bales

Deacon Dan Perkins

Deacon Henry Waiters Sr.

Deacon Clifford Wood

Deacon William R. Woodward

Deacon Chester Threadgill

In addition, to Reverend Kerns, pastors of the early church were:

Rev. Anderson

Rev. J. W. Hawkins

Rev. Luther Thomas

Records were filed on March 27th, 1945. Trustees Tom Willingham, George Watkins, John Kenney, John L. Charleston and Andrew Thompson, Sr. represented Antioch Baptist Church in purchasing 1.95 acres of land from the Harris Granite Quarry Co. for cemetary purposes only. The Antioch Baptist Church Cemetary has always been at its present location (Dunns Mtn. Road). The first persons known to be buried there are Gamewell Jeffries and Nina Wills.

Second Church

The second church was built under the leadership of Reverend N. M. Adams in 1954. He remained as pastor until 1963. Other pastors of Antioch Baptist Church includes:

Rev. Dwight Rose 1963-1966

Rev. C. H. Hawkins 1966-1969

Rev. D. L. Thompson 1969-1974

Third Church

In 1974 Rev. Rufus T. Wyatt became pastor and under his leadership a third church was built in 1981. On October 25th 1981 The New Antioch Baptist Church was officially dedicated. In November 1989 Antioch held a Mortgage Burning Service in which the church was paid in full. Rev. Wyatt remained pastor until 1992. Other Pastors of Antioch Baptist Church include:

Rev. Christopher Harris 1993-1994

Rev. Louis Turner 1995-2003

Present Church

In February of 2004 Antioch installed its present pastor, Rev. Rickey Johnson. Under Rev. Johnson's leadership, Antioch has become Incorporated, purchased land adjacent to the church, installed a new sound system, installed computers, upgraded the heating system, established Noon Day Bible Study and Intercessory Prayer Time, carpeted classrooms and offices, renovated the Kitchen and Pastor's Study and established an internet presence with an webpage, Facebook account and Instagram page.

More than ever, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church is committed to advancing the kingdom of God through discipleship, membership and engagement. As we move forward as a church family, discipleship remains at the center of who we are as followers of Christ. We invite you to our church to experience a relationship with Jesus Christ through repentance, belief and following. Our faith community is a personal witness of how God can make a difference in your life!