M o d e r a t o r G w e n d o l y n Jo n e s
M a k e s H i s t o r y
In 2018, Gwendolyn Jones made history as the first woman in 150 years to serve as Moderator (1st Vice Moderator) of the Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association in Flat Rock, NC. Later that same year, she transitioned into the role of Moderator at Large.
On May 3, 2020, Pastor Gwen Jones continued breaking barriers when she was elected as the first female Pastor in the history of St. John Baptist Church.
Her mission is to create a connection and collective support helping students through scholarships while fostering a deeper, more intimate relationship with God and one another. She is dedicated to empowering, encouraging, and uplifting others, always leading with love and faith.
Her motto
“Team Work Makes the Vision Work!”
The Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association, founded in 1868, is an organization of African-American churches in Western North Carolina, paralleling the White Southern Baptist Convention. The Association comprises several axillaries, including the Ushers Union, Association Choir, Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Church Union, which began in 1867 to unite Baptist churches for fellowship and instruction in New Testament Practices. Its assembly is in E. Flat Rock, North Carolina. The name originated from the muddy water that ran through East Flat/Hendersonville area whose waters never became clear. However, the Association has evolved producing clear visions, goals, auxiliaries, and districts enlarging from 7 churches to as many as 36 united Baptist churches for missionary, fellowship, and instruction in Biblical practices. The Association provided a legacy in the community that has inspired a rich history for generations to come to uphold the values of faith, unity, and foundational biblical training and missions.
A r d e n' s H i s t o r i c a l O r i g i n
of
Mud C r e e k B a p t i s t A s s o c i a t i o n
According to a 1910 archived history, the Association was organized at St. John Baptist Church in Arden, with notable attendees including Reverend Caleb Johnson, B. F and C. W. Hemphill, and Rev. Lindsay. Asheville First Church, St. Luke, Swannanoa, Concord, Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Mills River, Davidson River, Brevard, and a few others were included. Approximately 1,500 members represented the founding churches of Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association. Despite some opposition, a Sunday School Union was also formed. Efforts began to establish a school in Arden. Home Mission work continued in poor struggling churches while the Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary Baptist Society raised funds if representation was present. The first reported Secretary of the Association was Professor Robinson of Hendersonville, elected in 1917. St. John "A" Missionary Baptist Church is the sole Baptist Church located in South Asheville and has been affiliated with the Association since at least 1919 with several pastors having served as officers.
According to the 1975 Historian report, Rev. T.J. Davis served as Moderator from 1931-33 and was succeeded by Rev. E. W. Dixon. The fourteen acres of land that the Association had purchased began to be developed in 1934. That same year, the Fall Session was instituted. In 1936 Mrs. Faye Mauldin was elected Corresponding Secretary.
Glade Creek Historical Origin
of
Mud Creek Baptist Association
As quoted by 92-year-old Paris Mooney of Glade Creek, NC,
“In the summer of 1868 a group of white Ministers, Reverend List Ellison, Frank Jordan, and, Acek Beck invited a delegation of Negro Preachers to meet with them at Mud Creek, and there they organized the Mud Creek Baptist Association. The first meeting of the association was held at French Broad in the vicinity of the present French Broad Church. The second Association was held at Oak Grove Church in Brevard North Carolina.
The Reverend List Ellison donated a track of land and the newly organized association held its first meeting under a BRUSH HARBOR.
The first church was a log house but later was replaced by a frame building. Reverend Charlie W. Hemphill, Reverend Sol Lindsey, and Reverend Dave Anderson were among those compromising the committee that organized the Mud Creek Association. Reverend Charlie W. Hemphill was the first moderator, and Reverend Frank Hemphill was the first Missionary Preacher of the Association.
Through the work of the Missionary Preacher, assisted by several pioneer preachers, the Association spread from the place of its organization, Transylvania County, to Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Cherokee, and Macon.
The first effort toward having an Association School was at Waynesville which failed, later property was purchased at Arden, and a school was built. This was lost by fire. The next effort was at Brevard which also failed, then the Association centered its efforts on establishing an Old Folks Home at Flat Rock.
Deacon Mooney could not give us exact dates nor the number of years the officers served, but stated that Reverend C.W. Hemphill was the first Moderator and Reverend Dave Anderson was second”.
As history continues to reveal, the association is organized and held its meetings quarterly on Fridays before the 5th Sunday and continued through Sunday. Later, sessions were held Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. because of poor attendance. By-laws, policies, and new positions with auxiliaries were established to effectively carry out the mission and vision of the Association.
F i r s t L a y m a n
According to Urban News October 12, 2015, Deacon Benjamin P. Hall was re-elected as Moderator on September 26, 2015, and the first layman in the 147-year history elected to this position.
M e m or i e s
Contemporary First Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. K. DeWayne Jeter
Garrison Chapel Baptist Church
Rev. Earl Alexander
Little Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Rev. Louis Grant
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
Rev. Louis Grant
Worldwide Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. James Grant
Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association Churches
New Salem Baptist Church
Rev. Scott Burgess
New Vision Baptist Church
Rev. William Hamilton
St. John Baptist Church
Rev. Gwendolyn Jones
Community Outreach
Events Schedule
Scholarship Applications Given Out
Scholarship Applications Due
Scholarship Recipients Notified
Fall Session - Tuesday Nov. 19, 2024 4:30pm
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church
56 Walton St. Asheville, NC
Mid -Year Session - Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00pm
HB Ferguson Assembly Hall
322 Mine Gap Rd. E. Flat Rock, NC
Summer Session- Saturday June 21, 2025 1:00pm
HB Ferguson Assembly Hall 322 Mine Gap Rd. E. Flat Rock, NC
Annual Session-Tuesday - Friday
September 23-26. 2025 5pm
HB Ferguson Assembly Hall 322 Mine Gap Rd. E. Flat Rock, NC
Moderator's Banquet Saturday September 27, 2025
Location and Time To Be Announced
Fall Session- Tuesday November 18, 2025
Location and Time To Be Announced
Our Projects
Our Vision
We aim to create a welcoming environment where individuals can deepen their relationship with God and find solace in the community of believers. Through prayer, fellowship, and outreach programs, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those we encounter.
A bout OurMission
Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association is dedicated to spreading the teachings of Christianity and serving the community through faith-based initiatives. Our mission is to foster spiritual growth, support those in need, and promote love and compassion in all our endeavors.
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About Us
Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association