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The History of Graham Chapel Church
The present-day Graham Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church, located in East Arcadia, North Carolina, traces its origins to 1874 under the name Graham Chapel Church. Ongoing research seeks to determine whether the church was initially established under a different denomination and later affiliated with the AME Zion Conference or if it was founded as an AME Zion Church from its inception.
While older members of the congregation recall that the church has always been part of the AME Zion denomination, historical records suggest otherwise. The original land deed, dated January 1874, does not reference the AME Zion affiliation. The precise date of the church’s formal alignment with the AME Zion denomination remains unclear. However, historical documentation confirms that in January 1874, Beverley L. Daniel and his wife, Sarah Walker-Daniel, sold one acre of land for the construction of Graham Chapel Church. The transaction, valued at $10.00, was made to the church’s original trustees: James Graham, Moses Young, and John Blanks.
The History Tabernacle Believers Holiness Church
Tabernacle Believers Holiness Church has a rich and deeply rooted history within the Youngstown community of Bladen County, North Carolina. Established in the early 1900s, the church was originally known as Mason Hall Holiness Church before later adopting the name True Believers Holiness Church. It is now recognized as Tabernacle Believers Holiness Church, a testament to its enduring legacy of faith and service.
The church’s founding is traditionally attributed to Reverend John Nicholas Rhodes (1857–1912), a devoted member of Carvers Creek AME Zion Church. Many of the early members of Tabernacle Believers Holiness Church came from both Graham Chapel AME Zion Church and Carvers Creek AME Zion Church, reflecting a strong spiritual lineage within the local community.
While written records detailing the exact date of the church’s initial land acquisition and the construction of the original Tabernacle church have not survived, historical accounts from the early 1980s indicate that a deed of trust for the first acre of church property existed prior to 1910. This deed was signed by Reverend John Nicholas Rhodes, his brother Charles Rhodes, and Henry Graham Sr.
Henry Graham Sr. (born 1830) was a key figure in the church’s early development. He was the husband of Lucy Blanks-Graham (born 1831)
The History of Pleasant Union Baptist Church
Present day Pleasant Union Baptist Church came out of Cheerful Hope Baptist Church located on Highway 87 & Kennedy Store Road near the East Arcadia/San Domingo Community. In the early 1900’s some members decided to start a new church closer to the population of their members and with that in mind, one acre of land was secured from David Troy (1839-1930).
Shortly after getting the land, construction was started and soon after a new community church was completed. Knowing that Cheerful Hope was still an active church the newly built church needed a name. Deacon James Steward Dixon (1897-1964) a grandson in- law to James Graham (1824-1884) offered the name Pleasant Union to the church’s leadership and quickly it was accepted.
281 Grand Road
Clarkton, North Carolina 28433
910-647-0294
New Graham Tabernacle Fire Baptized Holiness Church
