Our mission & Vision

MISSION: The Mission of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church is to walk together in Christian Love: By helping Christians to grow in grace, knowledge, and holiness. For the advancement of the church to be a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin. To sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine. To contribute cheerfully and regularly as God has prospered us.


VISION: The Vision of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church is to maintain the family and to diligently study the Word of God; To religiously educate our children; To seek the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to continue to spread the good news throughout the community.

The History of Mt Moriah

  • Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church (MMMBC) began under a brush arbor on December 27, 1879, under the leadership of Rev. Henry Boyd. 
  • A church representative, Mr. N. Clay, purchased a half acre of land at the cost of $15 from Mr. & Mrs. J.S. Gribble to build the first building. 
  • This edifice was erected in 1880 and sustained the congregation through the years of the World Wars, Korean War, and the Great Depression era.

1900 - 1950

  • The Sunday School, a vital part of the church, in 1911 had an income that ranged from 7¢ - 24¢ per Sunday. Enrollment was 24 pupils. Sunday School was held at 1:00 p.m
  • Rev. Mackey served as pastor from 1937 to 1944 and Bro. E.J. Kirkpatrick was the Superintendent of Sunday School. The church consisted of four active groups: the Sunday School, the Usher Board, the Missionary Society, and the Choirs.
  • In May 1945, 26-year-old Rev. J.C. Robinson became the pastor of Mt. Moriah. The church membership consisted of 65-70 members, with two deacons

1950 - 1980

  • In 1952, Rev. J.C. Robinson marched with the church family from the old building to the new building, which is now the Fellowship Hall.  
  • Worship Service was held each 1st and 3rd Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m., and every Sunday evening at 6:45 p.m.
  • During the 60’s and early 70’s the congregation grew. A History Committee was established to gather and record the church’s history.  Later, Sis Ernestine Crawford was elected Church Historian
  • Around 1973, records show that there were 145 youth, 160 adults,
  • During the late 1970’s – mid 1980’s, more renovations took place and membership continued to increase to approximately 300 plus membership

1980 - 2010

  • In 1994, at the age of 75, Rev. J.C. Robinson retired after serving as Pastor for over 49 years and was elected Pastor Emeritus.
  • On June 18, 1997, Rev. Larry W. Whitley was voted in by the Executive Board and the church body as the next Pastor of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. His first sermon was, “An In The Valley Experience”
  • During the period 1997-2002, the 47-year-old church was renovated; 11 acres of land was purchased from John Kirkpatrick, and the house (later to become the Community Center) was purchased from Mr. Wilson Stitt
  • From 2003-2009 additional land was purchased from the Stitt Sisters. The purchased land set the plans in motion for Rev. Larry W. Whitley’s God given vision for the 5 Phase Building Project

2010 - Present

  • The first service was held in the new sanctuary on Sunday June 26, 2010.
  • The Child Development Center (CDC) accommodated 87 children and the center also served as an After-school Facility and Summer Enrichment Camp.
  • In October 2016, Pastor Whitley and Pastor Wilson of Matthews United Methodist organized a community forum with leaders of the Town of Matthews, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department, NC Highway Patrol, and the Matthews Community, to discuss ways to improve police and community relations.
  • Mt Moriah began streaming live services and has viewers across the United States as far as Kuwait
  • A revised Master Plan for Mt. Moriah was submitted to and approved by the Town of Matthews. The revision reduced the previous 5 phases to 3 phases. Phase One – The New Sanctuary and Child Development Center are complete. Phase Two will be a Senior Living Facility that will have 50 Units; Phase Three is an 18-apartment affordable housing.