The Cedar Grove Baptist Church was organized perhaps during the dark days of slavery and consisted of settlers
comprising the slave holders in the community. Located on Cedar Grove Church Road, the church is the oldest
African American church in Davie County. It is believed that the first public place of worship was at a place on the
Hairston Plantation, known as “Pine Shaw.” The church was organized by some or all of the pioneers of that day,
consisting principally of Father H. Cowan, Columbus Cromwell, Zack Haughtin, Jack “Dock” Hargrave and George
Ellis. The families, at that time, consisted primarily of Hairstons, Masons, Scales, Brown, Wyatts, Youngs, Hegies,
Howards, and others, most of who were slaves under the Hairston and Mason families.
After many years of service at their old meeting house, permission was given by the landowners to build a brush
arbor, where they started Sunday School. An acre of land was purchased on this site, which led to the construction of
their first building, The Cedar Grove Baptist Church, in 1891. Leading this great movement to build a church on the
Hairston Plantation in Davie County were Reverend Wise and Reverend Thornton Hairston. The land was purchased,
at the time, for thirty dollars on December 1, 1900. An additional two units of land was purchased for twenty dollars for
the expansion of church facilities.
Cedar Grove has been pastored mainly by Hairstons and Masons. In terms of past leaders, Dr. J.T. Hairston was
ordained at Cedar Grove in 1900 and later became the Moderator of the Rowan Baptist Association, as well as
president of the State Convention. Past pastors include Rev. Wise Hairston, Rev. Thornton Hairston, Rev. J.W.
Hairston, Rev. F.R. Mason, Rev. W.L Sloan, Rev. R.L. Pitts, Dr. Kelly Goodwin, Rev. William Hairston, Rev. Kevin
Ingram, Rev. Calvin Smith, Rev. Bernard Pate and our current pastor, Rev. Rodney L. Coleman.
Cedar Grove Baptist Church, affectionately known as, “The Grove,” continues to grow rapidly and tremendously in
membership and ministries. We are blessed to have such a rich and priceless legacy, one that we constantly try to
honor with love and integrity. We, the members of “The Grove,” continue to uphold the vision of God, under the
leadership of our current pastor. Our mission is simple, to reach, teach, and represent God in a pleasing way. The
Cedar Grove Baptist Church is A Church Planted and Cultivated To Produce Kingdom Fruit.
comprising the slave holders in the community. Located on Cedar Grove Church Road, the church is the oldest
African American church in Davie County. It is believed that the first public place of worship was at a place on the
Hairston Plantation, known as “Pine Shaw.” The church was organized by some or all of the pioneers of that day,
consisting principally of Father H. Cowan, Columbus Cromwell, Zack Haughtin, Jack “Dock” Hargrave and George
Ellis. The families, at that time, consisted primarily of Hairstons, Masons, Scales, Brown, Wyatts, Youngs, Hegies,
Howards, and others, most of who were slaves under the Hairston and Mason families.
After many years of service at their old meeting house, permission was given by the landowners to build a brush
arbor, where they started Sunday School. An acre of land was purchased on this site, which led to the construction of
their first building, The Cedar Grove Baptist Church, in 1891. Leading this great movement to build a church on the
Hairston Plantation in Davie County were Reverend Wise and Reverend Thornton Hairston. The land was purchased,
at the time, for thirty dollars on December 1, 1900. An additional two units of land was purchased for twenty dollars for
the expansion of church facilities.
Cedar Grove has been pastored mainly by Hairstons and Masons. In terms of past leaders, Dr. J.T. Hairston was
ordained at Cedar Grove in 1900 and later became the Moderator of the Rowan Baptist Association, as well as
president of the State Convention. Past pastors include Rev. Wise Hairston, Rev. Thornton Hairston, Rev. J.W.
Hairston, Rev. F.R. Mason, Rev. W.L Sloan, Rev. R.L. Pitts, Dr. Kelly Goodwin, Rev. William Hairston, Rev. Kevin
Ingram, Rev. Calvin Smith, Rev. Bernard Pate and our current pastor, Rev. Rodney L. Coleman.
Cedar Grove Baptist Church, affectionately known as, “The Grove,” continues to grow rapidly and tremendously in
membership and ministries. We are blessed to have such a rich and priceless legacy, one that we constantly try to
honor with love and integrity. We, the members of “The Grove,” continue to uphold the vision of God, under the
leadership of our current pastor. Our mission is simple, to reach, teach, and represent God in a pleasing way. The
Cedar Grove Baptist Church is A Church Planted and Cultivated To Produce Kingdom Fruit.
