You see the Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, a modest brick structure with a bell tower that seems to reach for the sky. Back in 1924, it all started with a Sunday School gathering under a grape arbor. The church was named in honor of Mr. W.A. Taylor, who helped organize the early Sunday School. They needed a permanent place to worship, so the church was officially established on November 12, 1924, with twenty-two charter members.
The first services were held in the home of C.R. Russell, until a small church house could be built. Eunice Wolf, a young girl, gave the first donation for this purpose. The building was built slowly by the members in their spare time. It wasn’t until 1928 that the first church building was finally completed.
The building was damaged by storms in 1935 and 1937, and even propped up with poles on the side. It was used, though, until a newer, larger sanctuary was built. The new sanctuary was completed in 1950, and the little church was finally able to move forward.
Over the years, the Taylor Memorial Baptist Church continued to grow and evolve, adding a new baptistery, an education and fellowship building, and a parsonage. It’s a testament to the enduring faith of the people who built and maintained this church, a community that has been a beacon of hope and support in the Jackson Springs, North Carolina, area for nearly a century.