Kitty Hawk Baptist Church History

 

Kitty Hawk Baptist Church dates its beginnings to 1962

when the Chowan Baptist Association built the Kitty Hawk Chapel

at MP 4.0 in Kitty Hawk, NC.  The little chapel was started to minister

to tourists who came to the beach each summer.

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            In August 1972 a group of dedicated Christians met to discuss

the starting of a new church and to petition the Chowan Baptist

Association for the rental of the chapel during the winter months.

On September 5, 1972, the group of thirteen elected officers met and

decided on the name “First Baptist Church of Kitty Hawk” (FBCKH). 

On October 27, 1972, Reverend W. Arthur Hales was voted the first pastor.  Rev. Hale was a retired minister from Elizabeth City, NC, and served FBCKH until July 15, 1973.  Under Rev. Hale’s leadership, the church continued to grow in numbers and faithful commitment, to the extent that on January 26, 1973, the Chowan Baptist Association gifted (under a 10-year stipulation agreement) the Kitty Hawk Baptist Chapel and grounds to FBCKH.  A new Baldwin organ was purchased, and electric heat was installed.

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                                                                            Bill Creef, a layman at Berea Baptist Church in Elizabeth City,                                                                                                    began preaching for FBCKH as interim and eventually was                                                                                                          called to serve as FBCKH’s second pastor on August 5, 1973.  Under his leadership the church joined the Chowan Baptist Association in 1974.  By 1976 the Chapel’s sanctuary was enlarged, classroom space added, the parking lot paved, a new heating system installed, and an Allen organ purchased.

 

            In 1977 the church began talking about the need for a larger

worship space.  By May 1978 they had voted to move forward with

a plan to build.  In 1979 a $122,200.00 contract was awarded for

building new worship space.  The foundation was laid in 1979,

and the new worship space was completed in the spring of 1980. 

The first worship service took place on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1980.

 At the time, the membership was sixty resident and twelve

non-resident members.  In 1980, 1,000 visitors to the church were recorded.

  In 1981 the church held its first Vacation Bible School (VBS) with average attendance of thirty children.