The Deep River Association Story
A Historical Outline of the Deep River Missionary Baptist Association
There was neither bitterness nor confusion as Deep River went through the labor pains of its birth. The Deep River Missionary Baptist Association had a very small, yet noteworthy beginning.
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History will record that in the year 1916, there were forty-three churches which made up the New Hope Missionary Baptist Association, out of which the Deep River Association was born. The Churches of the New Hope Association were divided by two rivers, Haw River and Deep River. At that time there were two ministers and deacons “Meetings” holding sessions within the New Hope Association. These were known as The First District Ministers and Deacons Meeting, and The Second District Ministers and Deacons Meeting. The Second District was composed of those churches located on the southwest side of Haw River and Deep River. Reverend J. H. Dunston was serving as Moderator of the New Hope Association during this historic period.
It was during the forty-seventh Annual Session of the New Hope Association which was being held with the Oakland Baptist Church, Ramseur, North Carolina in October 1916, that a “letter” was presented which was to set in motion the beginning of The Deep River Missionary Baptist Association. The churches which made up District Number Two Ministers and Deacons Meeting presented a letter to the Forty-Seventh Annual Session asking that they be given permission to withdraw from the New Hope Association and organize themselves into another Association to be known as The Deep River Missionary Baptist Association. Reverend A. T. Tuck was leader of this movement.
The request of these churches caused considerable discussion. It was during this period that spokesmen for the group gave as additional reasons, other than those stated in the letter. The fact that they were a group of small churches unable to entertain the parent body, and also pointed out the disadvantage of having to travel long distances to attend the Annual gatherings.
So forthright and convincing in its presentation to the officials of the New Hope Association by the contingent representing the Deep River Churches, that the request was granted.
According to information available, Dr. G. W. Moore served the Association as Moderator for a period of four years. His tenure of office covered the period from 1916 to 1920. Reverend A. T. Tuck, who at that time was serving as Secretary, was elected as the Second Moderator of the Association. Reverend F. R. Edwards was at this juncture elected as Sectary.
Reverend A. T. Tuck served as Moderator for a period of thirteen years, the period from 1920 to 1933. By the end of the year 1933, the number of churches reporting to the Association had increased from the original thirteen to twenty-one.
The thirteen original churches of the Deep River Association were Bethlehem, Harris Grove, Lambert’s Chapel, Mt. Moriah, Mt. Olive, Mt. Pleasant, New Zion, Oakland, Oak Grove, Pearl Street (First Calvary), Red Hill, Robert’s Chapel, and Taylor’s Chapel.
The organization of the Deep River Missionary Baptist Association took place at the First Session of the Association held with the Red Hill Baptist Church, Cameron, North Carolina on October 27th, 1916. Rev. A. T. Tuck, B. Th., was pastor. The first session of the Association met for only one day. The main purpose of this meeting was to set up the proper organizational structure and to adopt a constitution. This first session should not be confused with the First Annual Session which was held one year later on October 4, 1917.
(The Story of The Deep River Missionary Baptist Association of North Carolina – Second Edition – 1984, M. Philip McCleave, B.S., M.S., D.D)