Our Church History
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Our Heritage
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Sandy Creek Baptist Church was formally organized in 1755 by the Elder Shubael Stearns. This was the mother church of the Sandy Creek Association, organized in 1758 and the first Baptist Association in the state. In 1836, a division arose over the question of systematic missionary work and in the summer of 1836 those who believed in missionary work moved and eventually settled near a school house known as Shady Grove. The church which became known as Shady Grove Church appeared before the Association and asked to be admitted as representatives from Shady Grove Church. The moderator asked that the delagates be received, but that the name be changed to Sandy Creek Church since this is the part that had remained faithful to the Baptist Doctrines and could rightly claim to be the Sandy Creek Church, so name of Sandy Creek Church was retained amoung the churches of the association.
In 1874, the location of the church was moved just west of the school house and a meeting house built, which was later enlarged and dedicated in October 1904. In December 1934, Sandy Creek Church met in conference and voted the church be called Shady Grove since the new Randolph County Association had been formed and they did not want confusion in reports with the old Sandy Creek Church.
In 1945, a building committee was appointed to survey possibilities of remodeling the church building and in 1948 action was taken to remodel. In 1968, the church appointed a building committee to secure plans for a new building, and plans were approved with ground breaking held in 1969. The present sanctuary was occupied for the first time on February 1, 1970. In 1998, the church was presented a plaque from the state convention affirming its history.
In 2006 plans were approved to add a Family Life Center at the rear of the existing building. A building fund was established and funds from donations, multiple auctions and BBQ/Chicken Pie suppers were used to pay off the loan in December 2016. A special note-burning service was held on Sunday, February 12 and a plaque was given to Charles Lee Edwards stating the new building be forever known as the Charles Lee Edwards Family Life Center.
We are active participants in the SBC and the Randolph Baptist Association, and we have continued since 1755 to support missions. We welcome you to become a vital part of our church and its programs. Please join us in service and worship, and know that you are always welcome.