ABOUT POPLAR SPRINGS :: HISTORY
The Story of Poplar Springs Christian Church
Lets revisit 1871, a tent called Brush Harbor our first place of worship. Soon the congregation wanted a building. A wooden frame church located near a big poplar tree and a spring reverently pointed her steeple heavenward. Other springs were prevalent in the area prompting the name Poplar Springs Christian Church.
As far back as 1912 according to the documents of Reverend W. S. Matthews, Poplar Springs Christian Church actively affiliated with the old North Carolina Conference. At the count of 147 churches, the conference became four divisions: Eastern Atlantic; Lincoln; Southern District and State Conference; and the original North Carolina Conference. Poplar Springs became a member of the Southern District Conference. Through these conferences, our church name has slightly varied three times: Poplar Springs Christian Church, Poplar Springs Congregation/Congregational Church, and currently Poplar Springs United Church of Christ.
By 1928, it was under the pastoralship of Rev. Lake that the congregation had outgrown the wooden church they occupied. Faithful and conscientious members and friends of the community dug out the foundation with a mule, hoes, shovels, picks, and other hand tools as they worked under the direction of the contractor. The new beautiful brick edifice with its unique style now serves as our Fellowship Hall. It glorified God as the congregation praised and worshipped in it from the first Sunday in August 1931 until the first Sunday in August 1996.
Pastoring longer than any minister in the church's history, Rev, John W. Albright brought progress and growth for the next 48 years. In fact, from 1932 - 2004 Poplar Springs has grown and modernized through the pastoral leadership of four great pastors: The late Reverend John W. Albright (August 1932 - January 1981); the late Reverend James W. Morrison (June 1982 - December 1989); the Reverend Alice Umphrey Watson, in the special capacity as interim pastor from January 1, 1990 - June 30, 1990; and the Reverend Charles W. Brooks, our current pastor who came to us on the second Sunday, July 8, 1990.
