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History

The people of the Pembroke community first worshipped with the people of the Fairview Community in a church which was known as old "Bethel".  It was located about two miles from Pembroke on the right hand side of the road going toward Fairview.  The old church was a brick construction and remained standing until the early 1960s.  It had a balcony in it for Negro salves and some were members of the church.

When the L.& N.R.R. came through this county, it established its dept about a quarter of a mile from the Nashville road, where the original town was located.  The business interest of the community settled around the depot, and as the town grew, the people no longer wanted to continue to go out to old Bethel to worship, but rather desired a church in the growing little town.

Three distinct efforts were made to have the Bethel Church moved to Pembroke, but due to the fact that many people in the Fairview area did not want to re-locate it in Pembroke, and others due to sentimental reason did not want the old historical church moved.

In 1878, one of the efforts was made, but failed.  However, out of this grew the idea to organize a new church.  The final split in the old Bethel church became a reality in a meeting on the 4th Saturday of June 1884, when 79 members in favor of building a place of worship in Pembroke, called for their letters, withdrawing from the Bethel Church.  On Sunday, the following day, 12 others called for letters, making 91 in all.  John P. Arnett was elected chairman and E. J. Murphy, Secretary.  A committee was composed for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions for this objective.    Within a week's time, the amount reached was $3,000.00.  A committee on location was composed to select a site. The lot selected was in the center of town and a trade for this lot was closed on June 4, 1884, costing $250.00.  The original church was contracted by Baldwin and Son, at a cost of $4,665.00.

While the construction of the new church was being completed, the group met in Miller's Hall for several months.  

On the 4th Sunday in May 1884, a presbytery was called consisting of three ministers, Dr. J. M. Peay, Rev.. H. P. Lockett and Dr. J. N. Prestridge.  These ministers organized the 51 members into a church called "Pembroke Baptist Church".  A Church Covenant and Articles of Faith were adopted.  On April 19, 1888, the church was formally dedicated to God.  The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. T. T. Eaton, of Walnut Street Church in Louisville.  The sermon was most unusual in that each and every word began with the letter "P".  A list of charter members is on file at the church.  Here are some of the firsts:

• Miss Fannie Garnett was received as the first member for baptism on August 2, 1884.
• First part-time pastor was Rev. J. M. Peay.
• The first parsonage was purchased from Bethel church at a cost of $860.00 and was located on what is now North Main street, across the street form the present water tank and has long since been torn down.
• Sunday School was organized on September 7, 1884.
• The first collection for State Missions was $56.70.
• The first Thanksgiving offering for the Orphan's Home was $20.00.

The Articles of Faith are on file in the present church and include the following contents:

Articles of Faith

• The Scriptures
• The True God
• The Fall of Man
• The Way of Salvation
• Justification
• The Freeness of Salvation
• Grace in Regeneration
• Repentance and Faith
• God's Purpose of Grace
• Sanctification
• The Perseverance of Saints
• The Harmony of the Law and the Gospel
• A Gospel Church
• Baptism and the Lord's Supper
• The Christian Sabbath
• Civil Government
• The Righteous and the Wicked
• The Word to Come