In compliance with a solemn call of number of brethren and sisters, regularly given up from Union, Concord and Liberty Grove Churches for the purpose of constituting a church upon a written gospel covenant, Dudley Shoals Baptist Church was organized in 1861 with eleven charter members. They were John Gryder, Daniel Presnal, Daniel W. Presnal, Adolphus A. Gryder, Agnes Gryder, Elizabeth Presnal, Mary Presnal, Terah Presnal, Catherine Shearer, Mary Gryder, and Sara Gryder.
Elder Robert L. Steele was called as the first pastor and it was decided that public worship would be held on the second Saturday and Sunday of Each month.
It was thought by several that the first building was a one room log cabin about fourteen feet by sixteen feet located to the right of the crossroad, across from the present location of Dudley Shoals School, currently known as Gateway School. No record could be found as to the acquiring of this building or who owned the land upon which it stood. The first record of any land being owned by the church is two acres bought from Thomas Mears for one dollar ($1.00) in 1867. The second building of frame construction was no doubt built on this site and was used until 1901 when it was sold to the Caldwell County School Board for sixty-five dollars. The building was moved to the present school property.
It was in 1901 that the third building was erected on the present church site. It was fifty-four feet long, thirty-six feet wide, and sixteen feet high. During the early thirties, sixteen Sunday Schools rooms were added to this building. Much material and labor was donated. The material that was left over sold for twenty-eight dollars.
One Sunday night during December of 1948, this building was completely destroyed by fire. But the people of the Church, in spite of difficulties and discouragements, were soon planning for a new place of worship. In just eleven months the congregation moved into a beautiful auditorium. Into it had gone the dreams, sacrifices, hopes, and aspirations of the people to erect to God in faith a thing of permanent worth and service. With much lumber and service donated, the brick building was erected at a cost of approximately $40,000. The building was free of debt in December 1951. The dedication service was held on April 27, 1952. Rev. J.C. Brooks was pastor. Those taking part in the note-burning service were: Ray Miller, Fred Bowman, R.E. Sears, Sr., and J.C. Satterwhite, Sr.
Plans for an education building began taking shape in 1958. It was decided that funds previously allocated to pay off the debt on the pastor’s home, now debt-free, would be redirected to the building fund. Construction began on June 16, 1959, and was completed in December of the same year. Rev. Hal Hovis was the pastor when the church constructed the three-story brick building, which housed 27 classrooms, five assembly areas, three nursery rooms, and a pastor’s study.
In the late 1960s, under the leadership of Rev. Donald Ferrell, the church added new nurseries, a new porch, and a new steeple. Shuford Mills, Inc. contributed $10,000 toward this project.
In 1983, with the continued growth of the church and under the leadership of Rev. Donald Ingle, the congregation approved the first of four Challenge to Build (CTB) programs. The theme of these programs was “Not Equal Gifts but Equal Sacrifice.” The first CTB project expanded the sanctuary walls on each side by 15 feet, increasing seating capacity by 200. It also expanded the fellowship hall and classroom space at a cost of $200,000.
In 1990, the church approved the second CTB program, with a budget of $500,000, to construct a second educational building. This new building included 19 classrooms, additional nursery space, and new offices. After the initial three years, the church extended the program into the third CTB for another three years. The congregation reached the Hallelujah Goal of $500,000 on April 13, 1997, when the loan was fully paid off.
The fourth CTB program was approved by the church on April 27, 1997, with a budget of $200,000. This phase funded several necessary improvements, including a new roof for the sanctuary and educational buildings, a new heating and air conditioning system, the purchase of a new organ and piano, the acquisition of a new bus, and the construction of a shelter for the van and bus.
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