Two hundred and fifty years ago Antioch Baptist Church was constituted on June 13, 1772. The constitution of Racconswamp Meetinghouse, as it was originally known by 87 baptized believers was the direct result of the efforts of Elder John McGlamre, John Rivers and Benjamin Bell of North Carolina who began preaching as early as 1770 in Sussex County homes. The name was changed to Antioch in 1853.
The original building, of hand hewn timbers and whip-sawed lumber, was slightly to the east of the present building. In 1839, the present building was constructed. The balcony and the rail separating the men’s side of the church from the ladies’ side, used in earlier years have been removed. Sunday School classrooms were added to the church in 1949. Stained glass windows were given in 1956. The vestibule was added in 1960. Our new fellowship hall and kitchen were finished in 1985.
“May Antioch Church go henceforth in prayer, gratitude, and humbleness seeking God’s guidance and wisdom that she may continue to grow in her missionary zeal and “may go on to larger things, to nobler tasks, and more enduring achievements.”
Antioch celebrated our 250th Anniversary on June 12, 2022. Click the links below to view more from this day.
Antioch Baptist Church 