The beginning of the Baptist Mission work in Hertford was started by the Bethel Church approximately 1817. Early meetings were held in the courthouse in Hertford.

The Hertford Baptist Church is the daughter of the Bethel Baptist Church organized in 1806 from the Yeopim church, which dated back to 1775.

The beginning of the Baptist Mission work in Hertford was started by the Bethel Church approximately 1817. A history of the Bethel church states that meetings were

held in the courthouse in Hertford. The benches in the courthouse are said to have been given by Bethel for this purpose. The present building of the Hertford

Baptist Church was built in 1854 in the Italianate style and over the years changes were made to the steeple and the portico enlarged and columns added in the

Greek Revival Style. The tall windows along each side of the sanctuary have acquired stunningly beautiful stained glass. The Educational Building was added with a

social hall added in recent years. A pump organ was the first musical instrument used in the church, replaced by a pedal organ in 1891. In 1925 the church was given

the lovely Austin Pipe Organ still in use.

In 1864 the church donated $130 for the distribution of Bibles to Confederate soldiers as it had also for the past three years. It is also interesting to observe that

during a single month in 1865, the collections showed three forms of money, viz., N.C. Bank notes, Greenbacks and Specie. After the negroes were freed, those

remaining in the church needed to be taught how to read and write so the white brethren met with them each Sunday afternoon to teach them their letters.

From the earliest records, the negro slaves of the brethren were permitted to hold membership in the church upon profession of faith and on occasion were

permitted to occupy the balcony during services. In 1857, because they felt they should have representation on the Board of Deacons, two of their members were

duly installed as deacons to minister among their people. This arrangement continued throughout the reconstruction period following the civil war until 1870 when

their pastor who had become very active politically, began using the basement for political meetings. This seems to have been the impetus for them to withdraw and organize the First Baptist Church here in Hertford.