Bear Grass in Martin County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bear Grass Primitive Baptist

Built 1877

— Historic Churches of Martin County —

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 14, 2024

1. Historic Churches of Martin County Marker

Inscription.
The Bear Grass Primitive Baptist Church is the oldest congregation in Martin County. The Facility has been well maintained through the years and is still used for weddings and community functions. Heat for the building was provided by two cast-iron stoves with metal flues going up and over to a single exterior vent pipe. The majority of the pews are the original slat-backed benches. Some of the early members would bring their home-made cushions for personal comfort during a long sermon.

The congregation dates back to August 23, 1828, when a petition by local members of the Skewarkey Primitive Baptist Church (Williamston) requested formation of a new congregation. The church and congregation was formally constituted in July of 1829.

The church was still active well into the twentieth century.

Erected by Martin County Tourism Development Authority.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Martin County Historic Church Trail, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 23, 1828.

Location. 35° 46.045′ N,

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77° 7.672′ W. Marker is in Bear Grass, North Carolina, in Martin County. It is on East Bear Grass Road (North Carolina Route 1001) 0.1 miles east of South Rogers Street ( Route 1106), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6441 East Bear Grass Road, Williamston NC 27892, 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 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Everetts Christian Church (approx. 5.2 miles away); a different marker also named Everetts Christian Church (approx. 5.2 miles away); Smithwick’s Creek Primitive Baptist Church Baptismal House (approx.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 14, 2024

2. Historic Churches of Martin County Marker

5.9 miles away); Smithwick Creek Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 5.9 miles away); a different marker also named Smithwick Creek Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 5.9 miles away); Skewarkey Church (approx. 6.2 miles away); Skewarkee Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 6.2 miles away); Skewarkey Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 6.2 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Martin County Historic Church Trail (pdf). (Submitted on September 17, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form.
This form was prepared by Penne Sandbeck of Penne Smith Sandbeck and Associates on November 29, 2004. A statement of significance is on page 7:

A plain, unadorned building constructed in the nineteenth century to serve as a place of worship, the Bear Grass Primitive Baptist Church has maintained this function and purpose to the present day with no alteration to its form or interior since 1935, and little alteration before that time. The meeting house's structural intactness and integrity are exemplary of the traditional front-gable frame meeting house format espoused by the Primitive
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 14, 2024

3. Historic Churches of Martin County Marker
Baptists and other nineteenth century Protestant groups in North Carolina and elsewhere in the South. Its integrity has remained strong, however, where many other denominations' comparable buildings have either been augmented or cast aside. As such, it is eligible for listing under Criterion C for Architecture. The period of significance begins in 1877, the year that the church building was expanded to its present form and appearance. As a religious property. Bear Grass Primitive Baptist Church meets Criterion Consideration A for its intact and significant architectural design and construction.

(Submitted on February 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 372 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.