In March of 1956, a handful of folks organized what was

then the Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church. They met in a

small, concrete block building near the intersection of Hamlin

Road and Old Oxford Highway in northeast Durham. Brother

Lonnie Graves, the gypsy who had been wonderfully saved

just a few years previous, was led by the Lord to begin this

new church in town. Little did he or the people following him

realize the impact this infant church would have on literally

thousands of people.

            God began  to bless FBC in a great way. In the 1960’s, our church

experienced steady, solid growth.  People were being saved, families

were being reached, and new ministries were being started. One of

these was the bus ministry. God mightily used a group of laymen who

were willing to work and sacrifice so that multitudes could be reached

through the buses.  Names such as Shook, Adams, Hinesley, Harward,

Frazier, and many others, led the way in establishing this great outreach to

Durham  and the surrounding area.

            Growth continued into the early 1970’s when

God gave Brother Graves the vision of relocating the

church facility to thirteen acres of property on

Highway 70. Already a major artery for traffic

between Durham and Raleigh, Highway 70 was then

becoming heavily traveled for those commuting to the

new Research Triangle Park. In 1973, Brother Graves’

vision became a reality as the church moved to our

present location.

         In March of 1988, Pastor Graves retired and the church then overwhelmingly

called Bro. Rick Finley as our new pastor.  Pastor Finley had served for five years

as an assistant pastor before answering the call to lead the church.  Though he

was only 28 years old at the time, God had obviously equipped Bro. Finley with

wisdom beyond his years for the task that lay ahead. The Lord used the Preacher

to steer our church through troubled waters in the early 1990's, which laid the

foundation for the growth we have experienced for almost 15 years.

        The year 1995 brought the birth of Fellowship Baptist Academy and our

Faith-Promise Missions Program.  The Spanish ministry began in 1996, which now

averages over 400 per Sunday.  In 1999, we were able to double the number of Sunday school classes in our

church so that we might meet the needs of our church more effectively. The dawn of a new millennium has

brought even more avenues for ministry.  Since 2000, Lydia Ladies has been a tremendous service

organization, providing ladies with the opportunity to be a blessing to many people.  Our annual youth

conference  began in 2001, bringing over 800

teens and workers to FBC to be challenged

for God and right.  Our newest

ministries include Patch the Pirate clubs

for children, Heritage Baptist Institute,

Reformers Unanimous Addictions

program, an expanded Nursing Home

Ministry with caring shut-in visitation,

and a Special Needs Ministry.   From

2003 to 2005, our church renovated

and expanded our facilities to create

much needed space for the rapid

growth. 

      The hand of God upon this place has been evident from the first day on Hamlin Road to this day.  As we look

back, we must say "To God be the Glory, great things He hath done."  But the members of Fellowship Baptist

Church are not satisfied with resting on the blessings of the past.  As we look to the future, we ask, "Lord, plant

my feet on higher ground!"

       FBC Auditorium 2006