TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
October 22, 1972 - October 22, 2012
October 22, 1972:
Pastor Dewitt T. Cleve Jr. called for an organizational meeting and The "Temple
Independent Free Will Baptist Church" was organized.  There were approximately  ten
people present. The auditorium of Camp Glenn School was rented to hold church services
and church meetings. Pastor Cleve purchased two buses that were placed in service and
would run on Sundays picking up children and adults that had been visited on Saturday and
wanted to come to church on Sunday but didn'y have a way or their parents didn't attend
church. In January 1973, the church voted to borrow $25,000. to purchase twelve acres of
land on North 20th Street on which to build a church building. On July 31, 1973  the
church voted on the process of securing a bond program to fund the building of a church
sanctuary on the newly purchased land.  The decision was made to go with the
"Ambassador Bond Company."   The bond program amount was $80,000 worth of bonds at
8% interest with the final bond maturing October, 1988.  A metal building 40 feet by 120
feet was to be constructed by "River Side Iron Works" from New Bern, North Carolina.  It
was completed in 1974, with four Sunday school rooms, a foyer, a nursery, pastor's study,
two restrooms, and an auditorium to seat 300 people. There had been $40,000.00 worth of
bonds sold with $40,000.00 worth of bonds left to be sold.  Mr. & Mrs. Bill Huffman sold a
commercial building they owned on Highway 70 in Beaufort, North Carolina, came and laid
the $40,000.00 on Pastor Cleve's table, purchasing the remaining $40,000.00 worth of
bonds.  "WHAT A BLESSING AND ANSWER TO PRAYERS."  God knew exactly what
was needed and in His time provided. "THANK YOU LORD!!"  Also during this period of
time, six of the twelve acres of land were sold to help with other needs.

In January, 1977, Pastor Cleve proposed that the name of the church be changed to
"Temple Bible Church."  God blessed the church under the ministry of Pastor Cleve.  Many
hearts were touched and souls were saved to the glory of God! Pastor Cleve felt led of the
Lord to step down as the Pastor in the summer of 1979.  No salaries were paid under
Pastor Cleve's term as pastor.

January 1980:
Pastor Jim Deeter, was called to pastor.  Under Pastor Deeter's direction, the name of the
church was changed to "Temple Baptist Church."  Many accepted Christ during Pastor
Deeter's ministry.  In November,1982, Pastor Deeter resigned his position and moved to
West Virginia to further his education at Marshall University.

March 1982:
Pastor Larry Henderson assumed the pastorate.  Under Pastor Henderson's guidance the
church moved forward in many areas.  New ministries were established, and structural
changes were made, providing additional office and nursery space.  A 2,600 square foot
fellowship hall and kitchen were also built.  Later, a Sunday School annex was connected
which provided additional classroom space, while joining the main building and fellowship
hall together.  In 1994, under God's leading, Pastor Henderson left "Temple Baptist Church."

Spring 1995:
The Church body called Rick Flowers to be pastor.  Pastor Flowers had been on a church
staff in Holland, Michigan.  Prior to Michigan, he started a church in Tennessee.  Under
Pastor Rick's guidance, the church undertook the construction of adding the foyer to the
front of the church by enclosing the existing porch, bricking the structure and adding new
roofs.  Also under his leadership, the financial base in which we enjoy today grew.  In
1999, Pastor Flowers announced that he had accepted a position in Flushing, Michigan.

July 7, 1999:
The church voted to extend a call to Pastor Steve Lalk.  Pastor Lalk remained pastor until
May, 2003, when he accepted a position at "Bethlehem Baptist Church" in Richmond,
Virginia.  

May 2003:
When Pastor Lalk left, our church was blessed to have Charles Tyler as our interim Pastor,
who served the Lord whole heartedly. We thank God for his devotion to our Lord and
"Temple Baptist Church."

October 2004:
Pastor Terry Johnson accepted the call to pastor "Temple Baptist Church" and is currently
guiding "Temple Baptist Church" to greater visions of God.  Under Pastor Johnson's
guidance we have purchased new pews, revamped the choir loft, completed a storage
addition, added a classroom and added a drive-thru shelter at the front of the church
providing protection from inclement weather.

We owe a debt of gratitude, not only to our Lord and Savior for the things that He has
done; but also to these seven servants of God and their wives and families.  We want to
express to them our appreciation for the time and love they have invested in our lives.  
Praise the Lord for your faithfulness here at "Temple Baptist Church!"

Only the future will tell what great things God has in store for us.  As we remember the
past and all the wonderful blessings the Lord has done, we look to the future with great
anticipation and excitement to see what He has yet to do through "Temple Baptist Church."   
We praise the Lord and are grateful for the 40 years of existence that He has given to
"Temple Baptist Church!"
Our Church History
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Morehead City, NC
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Temple Baptist Church
1411 North 20th Street
P.O.Box 842
Morehead City, NC 28557

Phone: (252)726-5653
Fax:     (252)247-5646
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