Before there were towns and counties there were farm families that met together on a regular basis to trade, socialize, and worship. The construction of a church was often the first sign of an emerging village that would evolve to become an incorporated town. The following section provides information on the history of some of the county’s earliest churches, some of which organized long before the county.1
Churches Organized 1772 to 1841
1772. Sandy Run Baptist Church, Mooresboro. Virginia Greene DePriest wrote about the history of Sandy Run and Mooresboro. The following is an excerpt about the church that was started there. History, article and map.
. . . Because so many people lived on or near Sandy Run Creek, it was logical for them to establish a place of worship. The Anabaptist Church or Society of Sandy Run was organized in 1772. In the beginning members met in homes; however, according to tradition, a Meeting House was built near the present Seaboard Railroad trestle, just up the hill from the creek. Until some time in the 1930′ s a cemetery was in this vicinity with a number of marked graves. . .
1780. Shiloh Presbyterian Church. From the National Register of Historic Places registration form, page 25: “The history of the Shiloh Presbyterian Church congregation, its church buildings, and its cemetery is replete with the names of men and women who pioneered the settlement of King’s Creek near the border between North Carolina and South Carolina.” History and map.
1791. Mount Harmony Methodist Church, Polkville.
Sally Hunt Royster wrote a history of Mount Harmony Church in 2022. Entitled The Historic Mount Harmony Church & Cemetery, 1791-2022, Sally has kindly given permission for publication here. Part 1 of the book is here.
The church has an annual service on the third Sunday in May. Map.
1795. Palm Tree Church, Lawndale. Formerly a Methodist church, this church is now non-denominational. Frederick K. Grigg, born 1768 in Dinwiddie County, VA, moved to the area of present day Lawndale, NC around 1793. In 1795 he established Palm Tree Methodist Church, the first church being built close to the location of where the water tower is located on Lane Street in Lawndale. History and map.
Photo from the cover of the 1975 180th Anniversary program.
1806. Elliott Methodist Church, Polkville. Mary Gordon Elliott wrote a history of Elliott Church for The Heritage of Cleveland County in 1982. Two articles appear on pages 37 and 38. History.
The Elliott Family Reunion is held annually on the fourth Sunday in August. Map.
1812. El Bethel Methodist Church, Kings Mountain. From the church webpage: The first congregation held meetings in a brush arbor or private homes. The first structure was a log cabin built in 1832. A school called White Plains Academy was erected on the property in 1859. The present sanctuary was built in 1912; the education building was added in 1931. A parsonage was built in 1952, followed by a fellowship hall in 1960. History and map.
1816. Zion Baptist Church. Located near the old Weathers homestead which served as the first courthouse of Cleveland County. There were 30 charter members. Early pastors were Drury Dobbins, Robert Poston, and A. C. Irvin. It was rebuilt in 1856, 1883, 1927, and 1953. Church website, history and map.
1822. Camps Creek Baptist Church, Mooresboro. Moses Davidson, Lewis Jones, and David Humphries, first deacons. Article on its history and map.
1833. Kadesh Methodist Church, Belwood. From an article by Frances Beam: “The founding of this historic church is thought to have been the result of the first great religious revival which swept across America. This period has been recorded as “The Great Awakening.’’
Kadesh Methodist Church is not only one of the oldest churches in Belwood, but one of the oldest in the county. It was constituted April 11, 1833. The land was purchased from Gilbert Dixon for five shillings.” History and map.
1837. Zoar Baptist Church. Since Zoar’s organization, four houses of worship have been erected. The first was a one-room wooden building. The second building was a larger wooden building built across the street and was later veneered with red brick. The present beige brick church building was constructed during the latter part of 1954. (One of the former houses of worship was sold to the county school board and was used as Zoar School until 1910. Zoar School was the birthplace of Boiling Springs High School) Church website and map.
pre-1840. Sulphur Springs Methodist Church. From an article by Mary Wolfe: “A ‘Camp Meeting’’ or ‘Brush Arbor’’ marks the beginning of Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church which dates back to the early 1 800’s. Many people walked to the campsite, others used buggies, wagons and horseback. Families came in the summer and stayed for extended evangelistic services. Cabins were often built or tents pitched to house the families during their stay.” History and map.
Churches Organized 1841 to 1899
1842. Capernaum Baptist Church, Waco. Initially known as The Baptist Church of Christ, early members were Adam Beam, David Blanton, Michael Carpenter, William Conner, James Elliott, Lewis Gardner, William Goodron, William Goodson, Jesse Hord, Thomas Howell, John Kendrick, Larkin Kendrick, Robert Kendrick, Thomas Kendrick, William Kendrick, Newton Long, John Miller, Bailas More, Thomas Parker, Benjamin Putnam, William Putnam, William Roberts, Joshua Robinson, Christopher Stroup, Wilkins Wilmon, David Wray, and William Yarbrough. Early pastors were D. (Drury?) Dobbins, W. Hill, P. R. Elam, G. M. Webb. Source: Barbara Miller Limerick Beattie, gr-gr-granddaughter of charter member John Miller; pg. 34, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Map, current location; map, old location.
The congregation built a new church in the town of Waco, NC in 1887. The relocation provided better access to the railroad. The congregation also decided to rename the church Waco Baptist Church. Church minutes, 1842-1958.
1843. St. Peters Methodist Church. Early members were John and Charles Biles, Joseph, Robert and Randall Willis, Lemuel S. Self, Christopher Bingham, and William Hunt. Early pastors were Miles Puckett, A. R. Rennick, J. M. Cline, John Watts, and A. T. Edwards. Source: Frances Beam; pg. 54, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website and map.
1845. Central Methodist Church, Shelby. The congregation first met in a one-room wooden building on the corner of East Warren and South Dekalb streets. The congregation moved to a second site on the corner of Washington and Marion streets in 1874. In 1923, the congregation voted to build the brick Gothic Revival style church which is the current building. NPS, Shelby, North Carolina: A National Register of Historic Places. Church website. Map.
1847. First Baptist Church, Shelby. Early families who were members included the Blantons, Gardners, Loves, and Webbs. The first pastor was James Milton Webb. Grace Rutledge Hamrick wrote a history of First Baptist Church in 1969. It is here. Source: NPS: Shelby, North Carolina: A National Register of Historic Places. Church website. Map.
1847. New Bethel Baptist Church, Lawndale. During the first eighty years of the church’s life, some one thousand and fifty persons held membership. At sundry times the church has contributed significantly to the membership of neighboring churches: New Prospect in 1854, Pleasant Grove in 1878, Carpenters Grove in 1887, Lawndale in 1899, Fallston in 1902, and Norman’s Grove in 1912. History and map.
1848. Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. From The Heritage of Cleveland County: “Mt. Sinai Baptist Church was organized May 20, 1 848 by Elder Louis McSwain and deacons from Buffalo Baptist Church and several surrounding churches.” History and map.
1851. Sharon Methodist Church. Early pastors were Martin Eddy, M. D. Giles, and R. L. Owensby. Source: Ila Morehead Bivins; pg.53, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website and map.
1854. New Prospect Baptist Church. Early members were John Teeter Beam and family, J. O. Lattimore, J. R. Logan, R. McBrayer, B. Goforth, J. C. Hoyle, A. Beam, J. Wilson, J. L. Ledford, V. H. Elliott, W. Alexander, Elphus Hamrick, Jesse Hord, J. P. Styers, E. Hamrick , E. Hendrick, and Billy Eskridge. Thomas Dixon served as pastor from 1854 to 1909. Source: Shirley B. Hord, Editor, New Prospect Baptist Church: 150 Years of History, 2004. Map.
1856. Boyce Memorial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Kings Mountain. Early members were from the Dickey and Falls families. Early pastors were E. E. Boyce, J. M. McClain, W. Y. Love, R. M. Stevenson, J. M. Grier, and J. M. Garrison. Source: Elizabeth McGill Gamble; pg. 33, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website. Map. Church history.
1858. Shelby Presbyterian Church. Early pastors were Jesse Rankin, A. A. Porter, Nathan Shotwell, J. W. Query, R. Z. Johnston, E. P. Davis, E. E. Ervin, Jesse Siler, W. P. McCorkle, and T. M. Lowry. Source: Helen C. Morris; pg. 53; photos, pg. 664, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website and map.
1874. Central Methodist Church, Kings Mountain. Early members were Dr. and Mrs. James W. Tracy, I. Mr. and Mrs. Walton Garrett, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Garrett, Mrs. R. S. Sugg, and Bennett Willeford. Source: Janet Falls; pg. 34, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website and map.
1874. New Hope Baptist Church. From The Heritage of Cleveland County: “New Hope was formally organized August 1874. Records show Earl School asked the Rev. Thomas Dixon, Wm. D. Gaston, John S. Hopper and Robert C. Porter of Buffalo Church, five miles south in South Carolina, to help with the organization after a week’s brush arbor revival conducted by Rev. Dixon on the ground now occupied by the present church building. The name New Hope was chosen because it represented the feelings of the band of new converts.” Church website, history and map.
1876. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Kings Mountain. Charter members were P. S. Baker, M. M. Carpenter, W. A. Mauney and wife, Mary Susan Mauney, Mrs. M. S. Mauney, J. S. Mauney and wife, Juletta, L. A. McAllister and wife, Catherine, and Mrs. Mag S. Mauney. Early pastors were J. L. Patterson and L. A. Bikle. Source: Mrs. L. E. Hinnant; pg. 54, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website. Map.
1878. Ross Grove Baptist Church, Shelby. Early members were Able Hardin and wife, Lettie Ross Hardin (the church is named for her), Mr. and Mrs. David W. Blanton,G. B. Bridges, Sophie Bridges, Mr. and Mrs. Jack J. Cornwell Mr. and Mrs. Hezekiah Dedmon, William Dedmon, John Hopper Rebecca McSwain, A. A. McSwain, Thomas McSwain, Daniel Poston,R. J. Putnam, Mary Ross, Moses Ross, A. P. Spake, Mr. and Mrs. R. Y. Weathers, W. S. Weathers, Lena Wilson, M. A. Whitworth, S. L. Whitworth, W. P. Wilson,, and and two other people. First pastor was Rev. Robin Poston. Source: Lelene Grigg; pg. 51, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website. Map.
1884. Elizabeth Baptist Church, Shelby. Early members were its founders, Elizabeth Love Wilson and Mary Jane Borders Mauney, Mrs. E. C. Borders, Mrs, W. T. Allen, Mrs. C. M. Kendrick, Mrs. S. A. Wilson, Mrs. Sallie Poston, J. T. Poston, Dovie Poston, Alice White, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Beasley, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McSwain, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mauney, Eli Ritch, Frances McSwain, Thomas Lawson Kendrick, Mr. and Mrs. William Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hord, William T. Allen and wife, Matilda Hord Allen, Mr. and Mrs. David Blanton, P. Hill Kendrick, C. M. Kendrick, S. A. Wilson, J. O. Poston, E. C. Borders, John Lewis Kendrick, Joe Kendrick, Catherine Allen, Jeams Anna Allen, I. B. Allen, Elizabeth Houser, E. M. Allen, T. M. Allen, Mary M. Allen Kendrick, Ida Kendrick Blanton, Lula Kendrick, Hugh Borders, Allen Lowery Borders, Susan Borders Kendrick Moss, Sue Wilson Borders, Rebecca Borders Lowery, Elis Elrod, Grace Elrod, Hamilton Cornwell, Cordilia Hicks, W. A. J. Hamrick, John E. Roberts, Sarah Allen Roberts, Sally Roberts Putnam, D. C. Putnam, Amanda Roberts, Sarah Poston, Pinkney D. Poston, Sally L. Putnam Dover, Walter Randall, Hester Wilson, I. F. Wilson, Julia Wilson, Maggie Wilson Hamrick, James A. Wilson, George Dover, Margaret Dover, Nora Dover, Eliza Hord. Early pastors were Christopher F. Felmet, James Monroe Bridges, and Thomas Dixon.
A centennial program compiled by church member, Theresa Lowe and others, can be accessed through the Special Collections & Archives Department of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Map.
Source: Fred Mauney, The Saints of Elizabeth: Their First One Hundred Years, 1983; Charter Membership page taken from Pleasant Hill History, Associational History, 1951. Church website. Map.
Additional information about the history of EBC is available through the Special Collections and Archives Department at Wake Forest University.
1884. Patterson Grove Baptist Church, Kings Mountain. Early members were John Barber, B. Goforth, L. M. Logan, E. B. McSwain, G. P. Hambrick, E. Hardin, R. U. Patterson, Noah W. Ross, R. Y. Weathers, and G. M. Webb preached the first sermon. Source: Norman Webster; pg. 47, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website. Map.
1890. First Baptist Church, Kings Mountain. Early members were Callie Carpenter, a Mrs. Cornwell, D. F. Hord, Col. P. P. Hoke, Mrs. J. T. Kendrick, Gaston Littlejohn, J. Morrison, Henry Poteat, and Frances Lou Smith (Founder, along with Mrs. Kendrick.) Early pastors were J. E. McManaway and M. E. Matheney. Source: R. Allen Jolley; pg. 39, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website. Map.
1891. Lattimore Baptist Church. First pastor was Rev. A. C. Irvin. Source: Mary Ann Bridges; pg. 42, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Church website. Map.
1894. Casar Baptist Church. Early members were D. S. Downs, J. H. Magness, Ellen Newton, and J. A. Newton. First pastor is believed to have been Abram P. Hollifield. Source: Mrs. J. C. Palmer; pg. 34, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Map.
1898. Poplar Springs Baptist Church. On Wednesday, September 21, 1898, deacons and pastors from a number of churches met at Shanghai School for the purpose of organizing a church. The Reverend Tom Dixon presided over the meeting. The church has constructed a number of buildings since its organization. A wooden structure in 1899, a brick structure in 1929, a sexton’s home in 1947, an educational plant in 1954, a parsonage in 1956, and a new sanctuary, recreation facilities, pastor’s study, office and classrooms were completed in 1970. History and map.
1899. Casar Methodist Church. Early members were D. P. Fortenbury, H. T. Hoyle, and George W. Peeler. Early pastors were R. L. Gibson, C. P. Goode, J. W. Clegg, J. E. Woosley, and R. Y. Hoyle. Source: Mrs. J. C. Palmer; pg. 34, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Map.
1899. Double Shoals Baptist Church. In 1898, members of Zion Baptist Church began discussion of building a new church to serve the community of Double Shoals three miles to the east. Charter members were J. Mac Green, Missouri Spangler Green, E. A. Morgan, Lou Green Scism, A. Dixon and Patience Green Spangler, Barbra Hendrick Spangler, J. Thomas and Maryann Green Spangler, Hulda Crowe Spangler, James W. and Emma Laughlin Spangler, John Spangler, W. Schenck Spangler, and G. Robert “Bob” and Martha Williams Stockton. Rev. C. S. Cashwell was the church’s first pastor.
1899. Prospect Baptist Church, Mooresboro. Prospect Baptist Church was established with the help of Mt. Pleasant Cleveland and Camp’s Creek Baptist Churches in North Carolina and Grassy Pond, Cherokee Creek and State Line Baptist Churches in South Carolina on August 22, 1899. Twenty-three presented themselves by letter. The first church conference was held on the evening of September 22, 1899. History and map.
1800s. Grace United Methodist Church, Kings Mountain. Earlier names were Kelly’s Chapel and Bradley’s Chapel. An early church leader was F. W. Bradley. Source: Kristen Hagen; pg. 40, The Heritage of Cleveland County, 1982. Grace UMC closed December 31, 2019. History and map.
Churches Organized 1900-1950
1908. Lafayette Street Church. Formerly Lafayette Street United Methodist Church. From The Heritage of Cleveland County: “In 1908, Reverend Roy Thompson, Associate Pastor of Central United Methodist Church, South, Shelby began conducting worship services in a little one room Methodist Chapel on South Morgan Street near the Shelby Mill. In 1909, The Methodist Chapel, was officially made a part of the Shelby Circuit.” Church website, history and map.
1913. Norman’s Grove Baptist Church, Lawndale. “The earliest minute book shows that the church held conferences as early as 1911. However, there is no specific date mentioned in these minutes concerning the organization. In the associational minutes we find the date of constitution given as 1913.” History and map.
1924. First Baptist Church of Lawndale. The Reverend Henderson Mitchell was the first pastor. The founder was Brother Benny Wray who was the first and only deacon for one year, then Bro. Herbert Wray, Bro. Albert Thomas, Bro. Rufus Elder, Bro. George Browning were added in 1925, also Bro. Thomas Fambough. In 1927 Bro. Eddie Wray, Bro. Jerry Gordon, Bro. John Mufford were added. The first church was an old house they rented from Mr. Huss Cline at $4.00 a month. ~ Mrs. Arey M. Wray.
1944. Hoyle Memorial United Methodist Church. This church was organized in 1944 when early meetings took place at Jefferson School on Buffalo Street in Shelby. An educational building was built next door at 1001 Buffalo Street, followed by a sanctuary finished in 1954. A history of Hoyle Methodist Church 1944-1953 is here.
In the early 1980s the congregation started a building fund for a new church. The land selected was at 1741 Fallston Road. It held its first service in the new building May 6, 1990; its service of consecration was held on May 13, 1990. A history of Hoyle UMC 1944-1980 is here.
The last church service at this location took place November 24, 2019. Hoyle Memorial UMC officially merged with Boiling Springs UMC on January 5, 2020.
1949. Putnam Memorial Baptist Church, Shelby. A history of this church was written by Betty Patterson McIntyre in 1973. It is on The Internet Archive. The church has changed its name to Pleasant City Church. Map.
Churches by Denomination
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives, Cleveland County has, by far, more Southern Baptists than any other denomination. The percentage breakdown is roughly as follows:
- Southern Baptist, 62%
- United Methodist, 8.5%*
- Non-denominational, 7%
- National, Progressive, or Missionary Baptist, 6%
- Catholic, 5%
- African Methodist Episcopal, Christian Methodist Episcopal, 2.5%
- All other denominations, 9%
*The last ARDA report was published before the United Methodist Church lost churches through disaffiliation. That process began in 2019 and ended in 2024. More than half of Cleveland County’s Methodist churches left the United Methodist conference and became either independent, non-denominational, or Global Methodist.
The tables below are categorized by denomination. These are churches currently operating in the county. If you can help complete the information here by adding the church’s founding date or a link to the church history, please contact the website administrator. Articles about church histories are also welcome. See submission details here.
| Southern Baptist Churches (from the GCCBA website) | |
| church/year established | church/year established |
| UPPER CLEVELAND COUNTY AREA Carpenter’s Grove Casar Community Double Shoals Fallston Gethsemane Hope Community North Lawndale New Bethel Norman’s Grove Plains View Polkville Union Zion, 1816-present GROVER AREA Allen Memorial Bethany Grover First Patterson Springs Pleasant Hill Victory KINGS MOUNTAIN AREA Bethlehem Christian Freedom David Eastside, K. Mtn. Faith Kings Mountain Kings Mountain, First Kings Mountain, Second Macedonia New Camp Creek Oak Grove Oak View Pathway Patterson Grove Peoples Sunrise Temple Westover | LATTIMORE AREA Beaver Dam, 1850-present Boiling Springs Calvary Camps Creek, 1822-present Crestview Double Springs Flint Hill Green Bethel, 1867-present Lattimore Living Hope Mount Sinai Pleasant Ridge Poplar Springs Sandy Plains Trinity SHELBY AREA Bethany First Hispanic Bethel Christ Covenant Christopher Road Dover Eastside, Shelby Elizabeth Hope Community Immanuel Joy Christian Lily Memorial Mulls Memorial New Covenant New Hope New Jerusalem New Prospect Northside, Shelby Peach Street Pleasant City Pleasant Grove Ross Grove Shelby First Wallace Grove Westview Westwood Heights Zoar WACO AREA Buffalo Emmanuel Waco Washington Missionary Zion Hill |
| CC United Methodist Churches | |
| Aldersgate UMC, Shelby; (1954 to present) | Grace UMC, Kings Mountain (closed 2019 |
| Casar UMC, Casar (closed 2023) | Hoyle Memorial UMC, Shelby (closed in 2019) |
| Central UMC, Shelby; (1845 to present) | Kistler UMC, Lawndale |
| Clover Hill UMC, Lawndale (closed 2019) | Laurel Hill UMC, Lawndale |
| Durham UMC, Shelby | Philadelphia UMC, Lawndale |
| Double Shoals UMC, Shelby | Pleasant Hill UMC, Lawndale |
| El Bethel UMC, Kings Mountain; 1812-present | Pine Grove UMC, Shelby |
| Galilee UMC, Kings Mountain | St. Paul UMC, KM |
| Global and Independent Methodist Churches |
| Beulah Methodist Church, Shelby |
| Central Methodist Church, Kings Mountain |
| Community Church on Main, Boiling Springs |
| David’s Chapel Global Methodist Church, Belwood |
| First Methodist Church, Lawndale |
| Friendship Methodist Church, Fallston |
| Hoey Methodist Church, Shelby |
| Kadesh Methodist Church, Lawndale |
| Knob Creek Methodist Church, Lawndale |
| Lafayette Street Church, Shelby |
| Mary’s Grove Methodist Church, Kings Mountain |
| New Home Methodist Church, Casar |
| Oak Grove Methodist Church, Lawndale |
| Palm Tree Church, Lawndale; (1795 to present) |
| Polkville Methodist Church, Polkville |
| Roberts Tabernacle Methodist Church, Shelby |
| Sharon Church, Shelby |
| Shelby Missionary Holiness Church, Shelby |
| St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Shelby |
| St. Peter’s Methodist Church, Lawndale |
| Sulphur Springs Methodist Church, Shelby |
| Vestibule AME Zion Church, Kings Mountain |
| CC Presbyterian Churches |
| Boyce Memorial Associate Reform Presbyterian Church, Kings Mtn. |
| Dixon Presbyterian Church, Kings Mountain |
| First Presbyterian Church of Kings Mountain |
| John Knox Presbyterian Church, Shelby |
| Long Creek Presbyterian Church, Kings Mountain |
| Ryburn Memorial Presbyterian Church, Shelby |
| Shelby Presbyterian Church, Shelby |
| Shiloh Presbyterian Church, Grover |
| CC Lutheran Churches |
| Advent Lutheran Church, Kings Mountain |
| Ascension Lutheran Church, Shelby |
| Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kings Mountain |
| St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Kings Mountain |
| CC Episcopal Churches |
| Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Shelby |
| CC Catholic Churches |
| Christ the King Catholic Mission, Kings Mountain |
| St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Shelby |
Many thanks to The Shelby Shopper for providing a comprehensive list of Cleveland County churches and their addresses.
| Abundant Life 1921 E Marion St, Shelby Abundant Life Fellowship 304 N Washington St, Shelby Adams Chapel Church Rt. 1, Box 765, Kings Mountain Advent Lutheran Church, NALC Kings Mountain Senior Center (Patrick Center) Kings Mtn. Aldersgate United Methodist 1207 W Dixon Blvd, Shelby Allen Memorial Baptist 1222 Long Branch Rd. Grover A New Beginning Baptist 415 Dixon Sch. Rd., Kings Mtn. Antioch Missionary Baptist 1616 Kings Rd, Shelby Ascension Lutheran 300 N Lafayette St, Shelby Beaver Dam Baptist 123 Beaver Dam Ch. Rd, Shelby Berean Baptist 201 Ridgewood St, Shelby Bethany Baptist 723 Cleveland Ave, Grover Bethany First Hispanic Baptist 207 Caleb Rd., Shelby Bethlehem Baptist 1017 Bethlehem Rd, Kings Mtn. Bethlehem Temple 115 Temple Dr, Grover Bethel Baptist 600 S DeKalb St, Shelby Beulahland Christian 1525 Metcalf Rd, Shelby Beulah UMC 1528 Stoney Point Rd., Shelby Blessed Hope Baptist 3357 Waco-Fallston Rd. Cherryville Blessed Way Baptist 254 Falls St, Fallston Boiling Springs Baptist 307 S Main St, Boiling Springs Boiling Springs UMC 215 S Main St, Boiling Springs Boyce Memorial ARP Church Edgemont Dr, Kings Mountain Bread of Life Baptist 3754 W Dixon Blvd, Shelby Brooks Chapel UMC 110 Brooks Chapel Ct, Fallston Buffalo Baptist 108 Buffalo Church Rd, Shelby Burning Bush House Of God 310 Long Branch Rd., Kings Mt Camps Creek 2318 Camp Creek Church Rd., Mooresboro Calvary Baptist 320 Old Boiling Springs Rd, Shelby Calvary’s Cross Baptist 128 Mt. Zion Ch. Rd, Lawndale Carpenter’s Grove Baptist 1002 Carpenter’s Grove Ch, Rd. Lawndale Carson Memorial Baptist 262 Sparrow Sprg Rd, Kings Mt Casar Baptist 1519 Casar-Lawndale Rd, Casar Central United Methodist 200 E Marion St, Shelby Central United Methodist 113 S Piedmont Ave, Kings Mtn. Charity Baptist Church Fallston Cherokee Street Baptist 423 S. Cherokee St, Kings Mtn Chestnut Ridge Baptist 618 Chestnut Ridge Ch. Rd, Kings Mountain Christ Church of Cleveland County, Inc. 4406 Fallston Rd., Shelby Christ Covenant 805 McBrayer Homestead Rd, Shelby Christ Temple Apostolic Family Worship Center 341 Hudson St., Shelby Christian Freedom Baptist 246 Range Rd, Kings Mountain Christopher Road Baptist 420 Christopher Rd, Shelby Christ for the Nations Church 409 Polkville Rd, Shelby Christ The King 1311 S Lafayette St, Shelby Church at Kings Mountain 108 E. Mountain St., Kings Mtn. Church of Christ 845 W Warren St, Shelby Church of God 504 Royster Ave, Shelby Church of God 1818 Shelby Rd, Kings Mtn. Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter day Saints 307 Country Club Rd, Shelby Clearview Baptist 316 Hardin Circle, Grover Clover Hill United Methodist 1225 Oak Grove-Clover Hill Ch. Rd., Lawndale Community Baptist Lawndale 3548 Rube Spangler Rd, Lawndale Community Baptist Polkville Rd., Shelby Community Fellowship 144 West Mountain St., KM Corinth Baptist 324 Corinth Church Rd, Casar Cornerstone Independent Bap. 1604 Shelby Rd, Kings Mtn. Cornerstone Church of God 202 Margrace Road, Kings Mtn. Crestview Baptist 1090 Old Boiling Sprg Rd, Shelb Cross Country Cowboy Church P.O. Box 461, Waco Cross Point 10/10 P.O. Box 437, Earl Crossroads Baptist Church, Fallston Crossroads Rescue Mission 206 Mt. Sinai Ch. Rd., Shelby Crowders Mountain Baptist 125 Mayberry Ln, Kings Mtn. David Baptist 2300 David Baptist Ch. Rd, Kings Mtn. Davidson Memorial Baptist 900 Mark Dr, Shelby Dixon Presbyterian Church 602 Dixon School Rd., Kings Mt Double Shoals Baptist 318 Old Mill Rd, Shelby Double Springs Baptist 1130 Double Springs Ch. Rd., Shelby Dover Baptist 1501 Polkville Rd, Shelby Drury Dobbins Baptist 3603 Dobbins Church Rd., Shelby Durham United Methodist 320 E Ross Grove, Shelby Earl First Baptist Earl East Gold Street Wesleyan 701 E Gold St, Kings Mountain Eastside Baptist 1165 Wyke Rd, Shelby Eastside Baptist 308 York Rd, Kings Mountain Ebenezer Baptist Hwy 216, Kings Mountain El-Bethel UMC 122 El-Bethel Rd, Kings Mtn. Elizabeth Baptist 301 N Post Rd , Shelby Elliott Memorial Baptist 3939 Stick Elliott Rd., Lawndale Ellis Chapel Baptist 180 S. Post Rd., Shelby Emmanuel Independent Baptist 602 Canterbury Rd, Kings Mtn. Emanuel Memorial AME Zion 144 Schenk Farm Rd, Lawndale Episcopal Church of the Redeemer 502 W Sumter St, Shelby Eskridge Grove Missionary Bapt 634 Washburn Switch Rd, Shelby Fallston Baptist 109 Circle Dr, Fallston Fairview AME Zion 2733 Springtree Court, Shelby Faith Baptist 2738 S Post Rd, Shelby Faith Baptist 1009 Linwood Rd, Kings Mountain Faith Harvest 1001 Buffalo St, Shelby (Hoyle UMC. occupied this building 1944-1991.) Faith, Hope & Love Mission 508 Martin St., Shelby Faith Missionary Baptist 822 Churchill Dr, Shelby Family Praise & Worship Center 2502 Taylor Rd, Shelby Fellowship Independent Baptist Church 150 Christopher Rd., Shelby First Assembly of God 1905 E Marion St, Shelby First Baptist, Kings Mtn. 605 W King St, Kings Mountain First Baptist, Shelby 120 N Lafayette St, Shelby First Baptist of Grover 403 Cleveland Ave, Grover First Baptist Lawndale 129 Douglas St, Lawndale First Church of the Nazarene 405 S Cherokee St, Kings Mtn. First Congregational United Church of Christ 611 Ray St., Kings Mountain First Presbyterian 111 E King St, Kings Mountain First Wesleyan 505 N Piedmont Ave., Kings Mt Flame of Fire Baptist 212 South Main St., Grover Flint Hill Baptist 2207 Flint Hill Church Rd, Shelby Foursquare Gospel 1128 York Rd, Kings Mountain Friendly Chapel Baptist 735 Sugar Hill Rd, Lawndale Friendship United Methodist 111 Friendship Dr., Fallston Full Gospel Church of Jesus Christ 112 W Zion Church Rd, Shelby Galilee United Methodist 117 Galilee Church Rd,, Kings M Gethsemane 5700 Fallston Rd., Lawndale Gloryland Missionary Baptist Kings Mountain Golden Ridge Baptist 3426 Polkville Rd, Shelby Golden Valley UMC Golden Valley Ch. Rd., Golden Valley Goode’s Grove 810 Goode’s Grove Church Rd., Mooresboro Good Hope Presbyterian 105 N Cansler St, Kings Mtn. Good Samaritan Fellowship 305 Crawford St, Shelby Grace Covenant Church of God 1101 County Home Road, Shelby Greater Calvary Baptist 215 Morton St, Shelby Green Bethel Baptist Bethel Avenue, Boiling Springs Grover Church of God 201 N Main St,, Grover Grover First 403 Cleveland Ave., Grover Harvest Baptist 144 Ware Rd, Kings Mountain Heaven’s Way Baptist 1667 South Lafayette St., Shelby Heritage Fellowship Church P.O. Box 297, Shelby (currently meeting in Lattimore) His Higher Call Ministries 209 N. Lafayette St., Shelby Hoey Memorial United Methodist 2300 Hoey Church Rd., Shelby Hopewell Baptist 112 Hopewell Church Rd, Shelby Hopper Chapel Baptist 415 W Graham St, Shelby Hoyle Memorial Christian Fellowship 6841 Casar Rd., Lawndale Immanuel Baptist 2224 S. Post Rd., Shelby In His Hands Independent Baptist, 2611 Gaffney Hwy., Mooresboro John Knox Presbyterian 610 Charles Rd, Shelby Jones Tabernacle CME 2854 Toney Rd, Lawndale Joy Christian 1607 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby Kadesh UMC 208 Kadesh Church Rd., Lawndale Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 155 W Ross Grove, Shelby Kings Mountain 1st 605 W. King St., Kings Mtn. Kings Mountain 2nd 120 Linwood Rd, Kings Mtn. Kings Mountain Baptist 101 W Mountain St, Kings Mtn Kistler United Methodist 846 Casar-Lawndale Rd., Lawndale Knob Creek Methodist Belwood Lafayette Street UMC 1420 S Lafayette St, Shelby Landmark Baptist 1724 E Dixon Blvd, Shelby Lattimore Baptist 300 Peachtree Rd, Lattimore Laurell Hill United Methodist Belwood, NC Lawndale Baptist 407 W Main St, Lawndale Lawndale Missionary Methodist Lawndale Lawndale United Methodist 219 E Main Street, Lawndale Ledford Grove Baptist Church Double Shoals Rd., Shelby Life of Grace Church 1700 Charles Rd., Shelby Lighthouse Pentecostal Holiness, 420 Branch St, KM Light Oak Baptist 2311 Oak Grove Rd, Shelby |
| Lily Memorial Baptist 406 Whitener St, Shelby Living Hope Baptist 102 Oliver Ave., Shelby Living Light Baptist 1540 Kings Rd., Shelby Long Branch First Baptist 1151 Long Branch Rd, Grover Love Valley Baptist 2032 Bethelem Rd, Kings Mtn. Love Temple Ministry 820 S Post Rd, Shelby Macedonia Baptist 1101 S Battleground Ave, KM Macedonia Baptist Number II 1812 Macedonia Ch. Rd. Kingstown Macedonia Missionary Baptist 235 A.W. Black St., Waco Manna Baptist 1714 Burke Rd, Shelby Maple Springs Baptist 1231 Maple Springs Rd, Shelby Maranantha Baptist 413 Polkville Rd., Shelby McBrayer Springs Presbyterian 1903 McBrayer Sprg Rd. Shelby Midview Baptist Church 703 Margrace Rd., Kings Mtn. Miracle Tabernacle Ministry 610 E Gold St, Kings Mountain Morning Star Baptist 832 S. Post Rd, Shelby Morris Memorial Baptist 421 Moriah Church Rd., Casar Mount Harmony Methodist, north of Polkville Mountain View Baptist 119 Double Shoals Rd, Fallston Mt Calvary Baptist 422 Caroline Ave., Shelby Mt Gilead Baptist Dirty Ankle Community Mt Moriah United Methodist 820 Moriah Ch. Rd, Casar Mt Olive Baptist Compact Schl Rd, Kings Mtn. Mt Sinai Baptist 1227 Mt Sinai Ch. Rd, Shelby Mt Zion Baptist 220 N Watterson St, Kings Mtn Mt Zion Evangelical Lutheran 232 S. Lafayette St., Shelby Mulls Memorial Baptist 3299 Fallston Rd, Shelby Mundy’s Chapel UMC 550 Trinity Church Rd, Mooresboro New Beginnings 4317 Fallston Rd., Fallston, NC New Bethel Baptist New Bethel Ch. Rd, Lawndale New Bethel Church of Shelby 706 Hamrick St, Shelby New Bynum Chapel AME Zion 213 N Cansler St, Kings Mtn New Camp Creek Baptist 863 New Camp Crk Ch. Rd., Kings Mountain New Covenant 215 Morten St., Shelby New Ellis Chapel Baptist Eaves Rd, Shelby New Home United Methodist Moriah School Rd, Casar New Hope Baptist 2621 Blacksburg Rd, Earl New Jerusalem Ministries 1724 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby New Life Christian Church 111 E Parker, Kings Mountain New Life Christian Fellowship 1403 Woodman Hall St., Shelby New Life Faith Ministry 701B Suttle St., Ste. B, Shelby New Life Milk And Honey International Ministries 2636 South Lafayette, Shelby New Life Family Worship Center 428 Oak Grove Rd, Kings Mtn. New Prospect Baptist 1960 New Prospect Ch Rd, Shelby New Start Fellowship Baptist 2513 S Lafayette St, Shelby New Way Missionary Baptist 105 Waco Rd. Kings Mtn. New Testament Missionary Baptist Church 2103 Capernium Rd. Waco Norman’s Grove Baptist 206 Carpenter’s Grove Ch. Rd. Lawndale Northside Baptist 1220 Scenic Dr, Shelby Oak Grove Baptist 1022 Oak Grove Rd, Kings Mtn. Oak Grove United Methodist 418 Oak Grove Clover Hill ChRd Lawndale Old Rugged Cross Baptist 2506 Shoal Creek ChRd Shelby Oak View Baptist 1517 York Rd, Kings Mountain Palmer Grove Baptist 1606 Kingston Rd, Shelby Palm Tree United Methodist 1160 W Stage Coach Tr, Lawndale Pathway Baptist 3100 Parkdale Crcl, Kings Mtn. Patterson Grove Baptist 301 Oak Grove Rd, Kings Mtn. Patterson Springs Baptist 2107 Cleveland Ave, Grover Peach Street Baptist Church 116 Peach Street, Shelby Penley’s Chapel 1508 N Piedmont Ave. Kings Mt Pentecostal Apostolic Church of Christ, 125 W Zion Church Rd, Shelby Peoples Baptist 1010 Groves St, Kings Mountain Philadelphia Methodist 2848 Philadelphia Rd, Fallston Pine Grove Primitive Baptist 833 Warlick Rd, Lawndale Pisgah Baptist Casar Plains View Baptist Church 266 Plainsview Church Rd., Lawndale Pleasant Grove Baptist 3932 Pleasant Grove Ch. Rd, Shelby Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 563 Pleasant Hill Ch. Rd., Shelby Pleasant Hill UMC 1102 Warlick Rd., Lawndale Pleasant Ridge Baptist 198 Pleasant Ridge Church Rd., Shelby Polkville Baptist 4214 Polkville Rd., Polkville Polkville Methodist 219 Church Dr, Polkville Poplar Springs Baptist 1106 Poplar Springs Church Rd, Shelby Prayer Faith Praise Christian Ministries 201 Walker St, Kings Mountain Proclaiming The Word Ministries 709 Cleveland Avenue, Grover Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 1001 Cleveland Ave, Kings Mountain Providence Baptist 542 St Luke Church Rd, Kings Mountain Putnam Baptist 1146 County Home Rd, Shelby Ramseur Baptist 3109 Ramseur Church Rd,, Shelby Redeemed Pentecostal Holiness Church 300 E. Double Shoals Rd., Lawndale Redemption Deliverance 800 Washburn Switch Rd, Shelby Rehobeth United Methodist 2036 Rehobeth Church Rd, Shelby Remnant of Faith Christian 126 W Mountain St, Kings Mtn. Restoration Family Church 1667 S. Lafayette St., Shelby Restoration Outreach Ministry 201 Walker St., Kings Mountain Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church 600 Crescent Circle, Kings Mtn. Roberts Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal 414 E Marion St, Shelby Ross Grove Baptist 1225 Fallston Rd, Shelby Royal Praise Ministries 2055 Shelby Rd., Kings Mtn. Ryburn Memorial Presbyterian 1329 Fredrick St, Shelby Saint Mary’s Catholic 818 McGowan Rd., Shelby Saint Paul United Methodist 1062 N Cansler St, Kings Mtn. Sandy Plains Baptist 2112 New House Rd, Shelby Second Baptist 1114 S Lafayette St, Shelby Second Baptist 120 Linwood Rd, Kings Mtn. Shady Grove Baptist 339 Shady Grove Rd, Kings Mt Sharon United Methodist 871 College Ave, Shelby Shelby Church of the Nazarene 1205 Charles Rd, Shelby Shelby First Wesleyan Church 2251 Kings Rd., Shelby Shelby Free Will Baptist 403 College Ave, Shelby Shelby Missionary Methodist 1402 Earl Rd, Shelby Shelby Presbyterian 226 E Graham St, Shelby Shelby Seventh Day Adventist 2350 Hoey Church Rd, Shelby Shelby United Pentecostal Church 3014 Arnold Drive, Shelby Shiloh AME Zion 211 Elm Rd, Kings Mountain Shiloh Baptist 914 Frederick St, Shelby Shiloh Presbyterian 307 Cleveland Ave, Grover Shoal Creek Baptist 2707 Shoal Creek Ch. Rd., Shelby Solid Rock Independ. Baptist 1908 Shelby Road, Kings Mtn. Soldiers Of Light 215 Blanton St., Kings Mountain Springmore Baptist 651 McBrayer Homestead Rd, Shelby St Matthews Lutheran 201 N Piedmont Ave, Kings Mt. St Paul’s Baptist Church 337 Hull Rd., Casar St. Paul’s FBH 129 New Hope Rd, Lawndale St. Peter Baptist 1250 Lavender Rd., Grover St Peters United Methodist 108 St Peters Church Rd, Belwood Sulphur Springs UMC 1605 Sulphur Springs Rd, Shelby Sunday Morning With God @ Somerset Court 950 Hardin Dr., Shelby Sunrise Baptist Church 208 Mail Road, Kings Mountain Temple Baptist 612 N Cansler St, Kings Mountain Temple Baptist 1105 Bridges St., Shelby The Family Worship Center 1818 Shelby Rd., Kings Mtn. Trinity Pentecostal Holiness 1214 N. Post Rd., Shelby Trinity Zion Landmark Pentecostal 1802 Shelby Rd, Kings Mountain True Gospel Holiness 1608 Shelby Rd, Kings Mtn. Unity Independent Baptist 1700 N. Lafayette St, Shelby Union Baptist 3800 Polkville Rd, Shelby Unlimited Praise 1415 S. Lafayette St. Shelby Vestibule AME Zion 2175 Vestibule Church Rd,, Kings Mountain Victory Baptist 3907 Towery Rd, Shelby Victorious Living Family Church 1607 E. Dixon Blvd. (rear of Beneficial) Shelby Vineyard Christian Fellowship 212 West Warren St., Shelby Vision Baptist Cathedral 807 Frederick St, Shelby Voice of Hope Seventh Day Adventist 408 McBrayer St, Shelby Waddell Chapel AME Zion Corner of Buffalo & Dekalb St., Shelby Wallace Grove 751 Wallace Grove Dr., Shelby Walls Memorial Baptist 1205 Masonic Dr, Shelby Washington Missionary Baptist (Waco) 1920 Stony Point Rd. Shelby Way of the Cross Baptist 226 Broad St, Shelby Way of The Cross Free Will Baptist Church 875 E. Zion Church Rd, Shelby Welcome Baptist Church 233 S. Trade St., Shelby Wesleyan First 1542 Kings Rd, Shelby Westside Ministries 505 Blanton St, Shelby Westover Baptist 114 Westover Dr, Kings Mtn. Westview Baptist 500 Melody Lane, Shelby Westwood Heights Baptist 650 Dellinger Rd., Shelby White Harvest Baptist 1014-6 Industry Dr., Shelby White Oak Springs Baptist New House Rd, Shelby Zion Hill Baptist 7208 Old NC 18, Lawndale Zoar Baptist 1740 S Lafayette St, Shelby Zoar Baptist 130 Zoar Church Rd., Casar |
- The summaries on the formation of these early churches came mostly from the 1982 compilation, The Heritage of Cleveland County, Volume 1. In the 1990s, an effort to compile a collection of North Carolina Baptist church histories began. Those from Cleveland County can be accessed through the Special Collections & Archives Department of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Historically black churches are included here. ↩︎
Cleveland County History 
