In the Summer of 1930, the First Baptist Church of Kannapolis took a religious census of the northern part of the city.  This census revealed 540 Baptist people with their membership elsewhere and a very large number of unsaved people in that area.

The First Baptist Church responded to this census by holding a revival in the community.  A tent was placed on the corner of N. Juniper Ave. and 11th Street.  On Sunday, September 28, 1930, at three o’clock, a large crowd gathered under the tent to organize a new church.  It was decided that all who presented themselves for membership during the tent meeting would be charter members.

At the first Business meeting, Rev. Wade H. James was called as pastor; and with a charter membership of 71, the witness and evangelistic outreach of North Kannapolis Baptist Church (NKBC) began.

The missionary spirit of NKBC led to the establishment of five mission churches: West Point Baptist Church, Franklin Heights Baptist Church, Lakewood Baptist Church, Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, and Jackson Park Baptist Church.  Pastoral leadership has included: Rev. Wade H. James, Rev. J. Clyde Yates, Rev. E.C. Roach, Rev. Wade H. James (second tenure), Rev. Virgil M. Hailey, Rev. Coy C. Privette, Rev. Marshall M. Vaughn, Rev. Ray Pennell, Dr. James Lankford, Rev. Leon Hawks, Dr. David Myers, and Rev. David Prather (current).

The history of the physical buildings of the church is exciting.  From the tent, the fellowship moved into a brick store building on the corner of 8th Street and Church Ave.  In the spring of 1931 the church bought some lots on Locust St. and began the building of its first building.  As the church grew, building activity continued, and an educational building was added in 1936 and a pastor’s home in 1937.  In 1943 the church purchased additional property.  As the years passed, the church faced pressing space problems brought by continued growth.  In June of 1963, the church issued its first contract for the present structure; and in July, 1965, the church used for the first time the present sanctuary and educational building.  Recently God has blessed us again with the pressing need to build by giving us new ministries that demand more space.  On June 8, 1997 we dedicated the Kelly Watts Family Life Center that was given to NKBC by one of our members.  In 1998 we added a much needed elevator to make the church building handicapped accessible.  The old fellowship hall was torn down to make room for a new one and in November of 1999 we dedicated our new fellowship hall, McMurray Hall, with new office space and room for growth.  We have also purchased additional land including two houses beside the church.

We have been blessed to start several service ministries in the past few years.  In March of 1995, we helped start an African-American mission wish is now Kannapolis Community Church.  In June of 1995, NKBC opened the Helping Hands Thrift Store.  Profits from the Thrift Store are used for and given to missions.  In April of 1997, we voted to merge a Christian School (Formerly Frontier Christian Academy) into our church Program.  For the 2005-2006 School year, North Kannapolis Christian Academy will be home to numerous Preschool – Kindergarten Students.  We have a Before & After School Care Program to serve children and families from area schools.  In 1997, we added a Coach Bus to aid in our ministry opportunities.  In August of 1999 we started an AWANA Program that has richly blessed not only the students involved, but the workers as well.

For 75 years, God has poured out His blessings on North Kannapolis Baptist Church.  Placing our faith and trust in Him, we accept the challenges that will come to us in the next 75 years with hope and enthusiasm!