Skewarkey Baptist Church was founded around 1780 in Martin County. Originally a branch of Flat Swamp Church, Skewarkey Church became a separate congregation in 1787. Some of the church’s members formed a distinct church at Morattock, in Washington County in 1791,. In 1803 thirty-four members of Skewarkey left to establish a church at Smithwick’s Creek.

Thus Skewarkey Church became the parent church to many congregations in the vicinity, several of which aligned with the Primitive Baptist movement of the 1830s and shared fellowship in the Kehukee Association.

Contact: Ruth Silverthorne – current church member – at (252) 792-3343 or Martin County Tourism Development Authority at (252) 792-6605

The present building, the church’s third, was constructed near Williamston in 1853. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

Pictures can be taken of the exterior of the Church and adjacent cemetery at any time. Skewarkey Church is open to the public upon advance request. There is an active congregation at the church and meetings are held on a regular basis.

As noted above, Skewarkey Church was the parent church to several others in the region. Early pastors of the church have had a profound leadership role in the local religious community.

Elder Cushing Biggs Hassell served as pastor of Skewarkey Church from 1844 until his death in 1880. His son, Sylvester, assumed the pastoral duties in 1881. The younger Hassell also served Skewarkey until his death, in 1928. The Hassells’ association with Skewarkey Church and the Kehukee Primitive Baptist Association is extensive and remarkable. Cushing Hassell wrote a history of the faith, which was revised and completed by Sylvester Hassell. The volume, History of the Church of God, From the Creation to A.D. 1885, including especially the history of the Kehukee Primitive Baptist Association, was published in 1886 and remains a fundamental resource.

The church is noteworthy for the plain and unadorned simplicity of its architecture both exterior and interior. The building has a gabled roof with two entrance doors on the front. The layout of the interior is likewise unadorned. (See diagram below…) There are no gothic or Victorian details. All primitive Baptist churches of this era in the region are remarkably similar in design.

Skewarkey Baptist Church is located on US 17 Business South about .4 miles south of Boulevard West. It is located directly behind the Shamrock Restaurant.

The availability of the church for regular tours is yet to be confirmed. Skewarkey Church is still in active but limited use as a worship facility.

Skewarkey Baptist Church is distinctive because of the simplicity of its architecture. It is one of several churches still standing that share the characteristics this very basic design. Its association with the Primitive Baptist movement is an additional distinguishing feature.

Skewarkey Baptist Church is outstanding on its own merits both architecturally and culturally. It is part of a group of similar churches still standing and maintained in Martin County: Bear Grass, Spring Green (off 125 near Hamilton) and Smithwick’s Creek Church in Farmlife. These three churches can be viewed from the exterior at any time.