At the time in history when a group of thirteen colonies were struggling to establish their independence from Britain and before North Carolina had become a state in the new nation, a small group of farmers met under a bush arbor located a few hundred yards from Norris Creek and established Poplar Spring Church. The following words were recorded in a journal:

“We, the church of Christ whereof the Rev. William Lancaster is pastor, we the subscribers do join in a Gospel Church and give ourselves under the watchcare of the same to be admonished or reproved as need may require.” June 7, 1788.

Thus, Poplar Spring Church began her march through history. The Poplar Spring Meeting House, as the first building was called, was so named because of the cool, clear water that trickled from the hillside and flowed into Norris Creek and the many poplar trees that surrounded the spring. This place soon became the center of religious activities for a large area encompassing the communities, as we know them today of Pilot, Pine Ridge, Bunn and Pearce.

The young church had services once a month, weather permitting, conducted by a circuit-riding pastor. It also met every first Saturday in “conference” to take care of the business of the community, which proved to be matters of personal conduct of its members. Some of the problems brought before the conference which sat as judge and jury included “disorderly walking,” “departing from the truth,” “the sin of fighting,” “drinking and dancing,” and “not supporting the gospel according to their abilities.” The minutes reflect the seriousness and concern the church members had for the erring brothers and sisters in Christ and the great effort put forth to restore them to proper conduct as well as to forgive them, and to help them walk the “straight and narrow way.”

Race was not a factor in becoming a member of the early church. It was a custom for the slaves of the members to become affiliated and to come under all the rules and regulations as any other member. Records show that many landowners were admonished for not bringing their slaves into the church. After 1865, records indicate that black members became fewer and fewer in number.

Poplar Spring was awake and aware of her mission to spread the gospel and was willing to join forces with other churches to support the effort. As early as 1789, representatives from Poplar Spring Church were meeting with elders and deacons of Sandy Creek and Turkey Creek at the Turkey Creek Meeting House to plan for supporting the gospel.

Poplar Spring was joining in associational work as early as October 1789, by sending a delegate to Wilfield Meeting House in Pitt County. Later the church joined associational meetings in Bertie County, Wayne County, Person County, Halifax and others. In 1832, she became a member of the Tar River Association where her allegiance has remained. By 1838, Poplar Spring was looking at worldwide missions because records show that a delegate was sent to the Tar River Associational meeting with $25.35 to be given to the North Carolina Convention for the Burma Mission.

By the early 1900’s the population of the surrounding communities had grown so much that the members began to breakaway from Poplar Spring and form churches in the communities of Cypress Chapel, 1855, Rock Spring, 1874, Bethlehem, 1895, Pilot, 1903, Bunn, 1911, Pearce, 1915, and later Pine Ridge, 1924. This left such a small membership that for years there were only six to ten families supporting the church. In 1975, there was a membership of 157 with about 110 resident members. Today the membership is 155 of resident members.

What we are today, we have been becoming for over 200 years. We can trace our concern for the Gospel, our love and concern for others and our determination for the future to definite events in our history. Standing at the center of this church is Jesus Christ, crucified and raised from the dead. Standing together are numbers of pastors and people who join hands in the mystical fellowship of Christ and our fellow man.