History

1913 – PRESENT

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18.

We thank God for the vision of our founding church members.

1913
Our Founding

In the early 1900’s Dorsett’s founding members: Grand Maw Mary Jane Headen, Willis Headen, Lula Headen, Council Headen and June Siler, Sr. held church services in a small school house. At that time, Mr. James D. Dorsett was a resident in Spencer and the owner of property in what is now known as the Dorsett Town community. On July 8, 1913 Mr. Dorsett donated land for a church and a school to be built in the Dorsett Town community for the African American residents in the area. The first church building was made of white weatherboards resting on a foundation of pillars. Mr. Dorsett noted that the church would be a Congregational Christian Church, and if the building ceased to be used for the purpose of a church, it would revert to the donor.

The first pastoral leader of Dorsett was Rev. Charlie Williams.

1953
Rev. C.G. Lee

A new fellowship hall was built in 1953 under the leadership of Rev. C. G. Lee. The new fellowship hall at the former church site was referred to as the “hut” by church members. A baptismal pool and new pews were also added during Rev. Lee’s leadership. Mr. Arthur Moore was chairman of the building project for these new additions. Mr. Moore, along with other church members, completed most of the work on the church themselves.

1954
Rev. James Milteer

During the early years, Dorsett was a part of the Lincoln Conference. The annual meeting of the Lincoln Conference was held at Dorsett Chapel in 1954.

Rev. James Milteer led Dorsett into more community involvement with other churches in the Salisbury-Rowan County area and Burlington, N.C. area.

1960
Rev. Fred Currie

Rev. Fred Currie served as pastor of Dorsett Chapel for 21 years, 1960-1981. Sunday worship service was held twice a month when Rev. Currie started his pastorate, but later increased to services every Sunday.

1965
Western NC Association

Dorsett voted to be a part of the Western North Carolina Association of the United Church of Christ in October 1965.

1966
Building Remodeled

In 1966, the former church building was remodeled which included several additions: two restrooms, new siding, a heating system, and new pulpit furniture. Mr. Arthur Moore was chairman of these remodeling projects. New hymnals were purchased for the church in 1968.

1971
Building Additions

Dorsett Chapel became a full-time church on February 1, 1971. The year of 1973 brought about additional remodeling projects at the former church site. Remodeling connected the fellowship hall to the sanctuary building, the building was bricked, new windows were added, two small classrooms were added at the front of the church, and a handicap ramp was built at the outside front entrance. Mr. Phillip Wayne Smith was chairman for these building projects.

1980
New Church Site

Land for the current church site was purchased February 1, 1980. February 25, 1980 land was purchased from Carl and Mary Howard Denham for a parking lot.

1982
Rev. Harold Hart

Rev. Harold Hart served as Dorsett’s pastor from 1982-1983.

1983
Rev. Dr. Larry Ellis

Rev. Dr. Larry Ellis became the pastoral leader of Dorsett Chapel in 1983. He shared his vision of building a new church edifice with the members of Dorsett. Groundbreaking for the present church site took place March 8, 1990. Dorsett’s congregation walked from the “old” church site to the “current” site on April 21, 1991. The dedication of the new church was held as soon as the building was occupied. Deacon Clayton Sturdivant was chairman of the building project for the current church building.

1996
Expansion

The mortgage for the current church was burned November 24, 1996. Dr. Ellis encouraged the congregation to purchase additional properties located around the church building. Dorsett also purchased a van, the land adjacent to the church for parking, an organ, piano, new sound system, stained glass windows, and a new addition to the church under the leadership of Dr. Ellis. The following organizations were added to the church program: Starletts and Junior Choir, Male Chorus, Clay Anthony Missionaries (Junior Missionaries), DC Yams (Young Adult Missionaries), Nurses Unit and Hospitality Committee.

2004
Rev. R. Thomas Wyatt Jr.

On October 3, 2004, Rev. R. Thomas Wyatt, Jr. was installed as pastor of Dorsett Chapel. A review of data indicates that the membership more than doubled under Rev. Wyatt’s leadership. The following ministries were added while Rev. Wyatt was pastor: Youth Choir, Couples’ Ministry, Youth Fellowship, Single Parent Ministry, Men’s Fellowship, Salvation and Baptism Classes and a class for new members. During Rev. Wyatt’s leadership the mortgage for the addition to the church was paid off, as well as the purchase of the land in the rear of the building from Mrs. Nathalee Reese.

2015
Rev. Rick Galloway

On December 20, 2015, Rev. Rick Galloway delivered his first sermon as the official pastor of Dorsett Chapel, and was installed as pastor on May 22, 2016. Pastor Galloway currently serves on the board, and is Vice President of the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship in the Salisbury-Rowan County area. Under Pastor Galloway’s leadership, several new ministries were added, along with the revitalization of some existing ministries. The new and revitalized ministries include the following: Men’s Summit, Women’s Ministry, Back to School Jam, Couples’ Ministry, Deaconess Ministry, Adult Dance Ministry, Outreach Ministry, Youth Advisory Council, and Ministers in Training.

2017
New Ministries

New ministries added since 2017 include: Singles Ministry, Assimilation, Tribe of Judah (Youth Choir), Care, Health Care, Youth Dance, Technology, Security, Facilities, Scholarship, Youth Ministry, Twix & In-Between and By-Laws. Twenty-three (23) new members were added in 2016, thirty-seven (37) new members were added in 2017, twenty-three (23) new members were added in 2018, and 13 new members have been added to-date in 2019.

Under Pastor Galloway’s leadership, Dorsett moved forward in several ministries, events, outreach, communication and technology. Dorsett’s Nursery was revamped and reopened, prayer and praise teams set the atmosphere for worship each Sunday, deacons and ministers of the month were established, and Vacation Bible School was revamped and revitalized.

2018
Community Events

Dorsett started the 2018 and 2019 years with a 30 day fast and 31 days of prayer. Dorsett’s Scholarship Ministry was organized and awarded the first scholarship in June 2018 to a high school senior going to college. In 2018, the Women’s Ministry had its first prayer lock-in weekend that consisted of a fellowship dinner, spending the night in prayer, and having a fellowship breakfast. Dorsett’s women also had a Women’s Tea and Forum, off-site, at Hood Seminary to discuss issues and concerns of today’s women.

Dorsett Chapel participated in the following annual events since 2017: Pastoral Anniversary Fun Day, Family and Friends Day, Men’s Breakfast, Women’s Breakfast, Christmas Fellowship, and the Back to School Jam that provided over 165 students with backpacks, and school supplies. In 2018, Dorsett sponsored its first annual yard and bake sale. In 2019, Dorsett hosted its first Outside Community Worship Service.

2019
Land Expansion

Dorsett expanded its property land, by purchasing the land next door on Third Street in July 2019.

The Present
Looking Forward

During the past two years, Dorsett provided outreach assistance with the following: food drive for Rowan Helping Ministries, hurricane relief for Houston, Texas, Rowan One-Church- One Child Angel Tree, and provided sheets and blankets.

Dorsett Chapel has continued to move forward with various strategies of communication since the last anniversary. Visitors receive a letter, visitor information cards, a welcome voice message from the Pastor, and new members receive welcome letters. Members and families experiencing the loss of family receive a bereavement letter and church resolution document. Our weekly Sunday church bulletin has been enhanced to include the following monthly contacts: leadership, administrative assistant and a nursery spotlight.

The technology team uses several means of keeping members and the public informed. Weekly sermons are located on our Facebook page. A new DC web page has been created and Givelify is available for members to give their tithes and offerings on-line. We have also developed a communication plan to keep our members informed via automated phone calls and television media closings.

Pastoral Leaders, 1913 - present

  • Rev. Charlie Williams
  • Rev. J. W. Meadows
  • Rev. Compton
  • Rev. J. W. Albright
  • Rev. Willie Lake
  • Rev. Capps
  • Rev. F. A. Hargett
  • Rev. E. D. Baker
  • Rev. C. G. Lee
  • Rev. James Milteer
  • Rev. Fred Currie 1960-1981
  • Rev. Harold Hart 1982-1983
  • Rev. Dr. Larry Ellis 1983-2003
  • Rev. R. Thomas Wyatt, Jr. 2004-2014
  • Rev. Rick Galloway 2015 – present

Founding Members, 1913

  • Grand Maw Mary Jane Headen
  • Willis Headen
  • Lula Headen
  • Council Headen
  • June Siler, Sr.
Dorsett Chapel