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 Highway 115 on the right going towards Fairview. The old church was a brick construction and remained standing until the early 1960's. It had a balcony for the Negro slaves and some were members of the church.
When the L & N Railroad came through this county, it established its depot about a quarter of a mile from the Nashville Road (Highway 41), 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 Bethel in Pembroke, and others due to sentimental reasons 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 fourth Sunday 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 total. John P. Arnett was elected Chairman and E.J. Murphy was the Secretary. A committee was composed for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions for this objective. Withing a week's time, the amount reached $3000.00. 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 constructed by Baldwin & 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 fourth 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 91 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, Kentucky. 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.