Educational

Educational Facilities Expanded

The Rev. Wells retired after serving as pastor for thirty-seven years, and in April, 1946, the Rev. R. N. Carroll was called to become pastor from a pastorate in Knoxville, Tennessee. Under the leadership of Rev. Carroll the church continued in both spiritual and physical growth with two new wings being added to the church building: the South wing in 1948 and the North wing in 1964. After continually increasing Cooperative Program participation, the church in 1968 voted to give thirty percent of its annual budget to this program of cooperative mission giving with other Baptists.

The church's first Education Director, Joseph F. Gantt was called in June 1958 and served until June 1963. In 1966, Betty Manning was elected as the first Church Secretary, only for part time. However, due to continued growth of the church, the position had grown to full time by 1970.

Mr. Carroll served for twenty-four years before retiring in 1970. Having had only two pastors in 70 years, the church began searching for another leader, and as a result, the Rev. Robert E. Gray was called from a pastorate in Durham, NC in December 1970. A strong youth program and music oriented ministry was advocated by Mr. Gray during the eight years he served the church.

In February 1979, James H. Hyatt, Jr., accepted the position of Minister of Music.

Then in August 1979, Dr. John A. Allen was called and led the church for five years. During his tenure, a mission was established in the Cape Colony area of Chowan County under the watchcare of Edenton Baptist Church. Beginning in June 1982 as a Bible study held in various homes, by October of the same year, Rev. John Stanley was called as pastor of Albemarle Baptist Mission. July 1985, the mission dedicated a new building and was constituted Albemarle Baptist Church on January 1, 1986.

Following Dr. Allen's resignation, the church called in May 1985 its 32nd pastor, Dr. Kenneth E. Word from Hampton, South Carolina. Dr. T. Wayne Proctor came to fill the position of Minister of Education/Youth in January 1996.

In February 1997, the church observed the 30th anniversary of Betty Manning as Church Secretary. Other than Rev. Wells being pastor for 37 years, Mrs. Manning served longer than any other staff member.

In July of 1996, Rev. Hyatt, an outstanding musician and prominent minister, who served the church for 17 years, with nine of those years as Associate Pastor, resigned in July of 1996. He was called to a similar position with Franklin Baptist Church of Franklin, Virginia.

Dr. Word retired in December 1997 as pastor. The church honored him for 13 years of service to Edenton Baptist Church and in the full-time ministry for 45 years. His outstanding record included high percentage of adults making a profession of faith and his stirring sermons. The observance of 175th Anniversary was orchestrated under his leadership.