Greenville in Pitt County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021
1. Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures.
Location. 35° 36.948′ N, 77° 22.423′ W. Marker is in Greenville, North Carolina, in Pitt County. It is at the intersection of West First Street and North Greene Street (County Highway 1531), on the right when traveling west on West First Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 W 1st St, Greenville NC 27858, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); Neighborhood Unity and Community Pride (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); United in Faith (a few steps from this marker); a different
this page online
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021
2. Ronald Kimber, 2016
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021
3. Ronand Kimber and a neighborhood friend stand in front onf his next door neighbor's house, circ 1953
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021
4. Remembering a Church and a Congregation
The original church remained a downtown landmark for over a century. It became much more than a house of worship -- a center of social, political, recreational, and economic activity, refuge to nurture souls and to help those in need, and a place to guide younger congregants in faith. Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church was the last building standing in downtown. It was demolished in 1969, following a fire. The church is now located on Hooker Road in Greenville.
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021
5. Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church Marker
"...It was an awesome place to be, because though we were ecomomically poor, spiritually, we were rich." -- Gwendolyn Holman
Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church, April 1961. Congregants assemble outside, protesting plans for the redevelopment of downtown and the demolition of their church.
Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church, April 1961. Congregants assemble outside, protesting plans for the redevelopment of downtown and the demolition of their church.
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021
6. Sycamore Hill Missionary Baptist Church Marker
"My mother and my father made sure that we had everything that we needed to survive. My father was a provider and I try to pattern my way right after him, even to this day." -- Robert Little
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, November 10, 2021
7. Sycamore Hill Gateway Plaza
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2021, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 12, 2021, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 13, 2021, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. 7. submitted on November 12, 2021, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
