This continues an occasional series on area churches and their contributions to the area.

Columbia Missionary Baptist Church, which was started in 1869, is celebrating 144 years of ministry in Columbia, Tyrrell County, North Carolina.
CMBC has a long and varied history and is part of the Chowan Baptist Association. CMBC was first named or referred to as Sharon Church, which was called a “free church” and included many other churches started in the area such as Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist in Alligator, Malachi Chapel FWB, Sandy Acres FWB and Cabin Swamp FWB.

In August of 1887, Sharon Baptist Church changed its name to Columbia Missionary Baptist Church. The first building in Columbia was built sometime in 1882 and was used until about 1906.  In 1905, a building committee was appointed because of the decay of the building and the congregation decided to construct a new building.  The plans called for a building 50 by38 feet with an annex of 20×30 feet.
A Mr. Price was awarded the contract of the building in the amount of $ 2, 406.00.  That new building was dedicated July 22, 1906, with the Rev. William M. Savage, former minister, preaching the dedicatory sermon.  The entire amount of $ 2, 406.00 was raised and the building was paid off, which was a remarkable feat at that time.
There have been various pastors, fundraisers, and building projects through the years.  In 1974, the CMBC congregation voted to renovate the sanctuary and install a baptistery.
From 1869 to 1974, persons accepting Jesus Christ as Savior were baptized in the Scuppernong River or the Albemarle Sound.  Earl Rhodes was awarded the renovation project in the amount of $ 30,000.00.

Jeff Crabtree has been the pastor of the Columbia Missionary Baptist Church since November 1, 2002.  He has served both the Columbia Missionary Baptist Church and Sound Side Missionary Baptist Church.
Crabtree has served churches in Morganton, NC, Saxapahaw, NC, Whitakers, NC, and Kill Devil Hills, NC.

Crabtree graduated from the West Brunswick High School, Shallotte, NC in 1981, and the Emmanuel Baptist Seminary in Connelly Springs, NC.

  He holds degrees of Master Of Divinity and Doctor Of Divinity from Emmanuel Seminary.  He has also served Emmanuel Baptist Seminary as Special Assistant To The President and was an instructor in Bible and Religious Education.

“I became a pastor because I felt the calling of the Lord in my life when I was in high school, working with the youth of the Sabbath Home Baptist Church at Holden Beach, NC.  I was licensed there under the leadership of the late Rev. Leo Cannon.  The Hicone Community Baptist Mission, Greensboro, called me as pastor and ordained me,” said Crabtree.

Columbia Missionary Baptist Church separated from the Sound Side Missionary Baptist Church December 1, 2012 and Crabtree went into full time ministry.
Columbia Missionary Baptist Church has Sunday School every Sunday at

10AM, Sunday Morning Worship at 11AM, Sunday Fellowship Meal at 5:30PM and Sunday Evening Bible Study at 6:15PM.

Wednesday Night Prayer Service is held at 6:30PM, Adult Choir Practice Wednesday Nights at 7:15PM.
CMBC also is the sponsoring church for the Columbia Hispanic Mission, where Prudencio Casas is the pastor.  The Hispanic Mission meets on Sunday at 3PM, Wednesday nights at 7PM.
Each Wednesday night at 6:30PM there is a special Children’s Program and the church offers Children’s Time as part of worship as well as a special children’s church time during the Sunday worship at 11AM.

 CMBC has Trunk-Or-Treat Halloween Night every year at 5:30PM in the church parking lot.  They had a booth and a float in the Scuppernong River Festival, giving out over 1000 bottles of water and tracts, pencils, etc.
The Annual Adult Choir Christmas musical will be presented Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 11:00AM entitled, SAINTS AND ANGELS SONG, followed by a church social.

 Crabtree has been married to Becky Liverman Crabtree for these past six years.  She has been a kindergarten teacher at Creswell Elementery School for the past 12 years.

 CMBC would love to have folks visit them and worship with them anytime.
For more information please call 252-796-0292.