In 1880, a seed of faith was planted in the Pleasant Grove Community and for 139 years that seed has continued to grow and flourish.  The church presently known as Jeffries Cross Baptist Church was founded on land given to the church by Founder Levi Jeffries.  

Levi Jeffries (Jeffreys)  born, 1839 (1844)-February 12, 1914 was the one of seven children of Jesse Jeffreys and Nancy Griffiths, born 1843  (1844) in unknown area.   There are no other family members beyond his father to determine the family of whom he was descended nor when they arrived in Alamance County/Orange County. 

1850 Census was in the home of Jesse Jeffreys (50), Ann (   ) (22), Sarah (1830) (20), Patsy/Palsey(    ) (78), Abi (1835) (   ), Albert (3/2/1837/1838-3/21/1902) married Frances Ann Jeffreys/ (Jeffries) Nathan 1872-1943; William Oakley (1877-1961); Gussey C (1880-1901) James (188-1956)  (13), Levi (1839) (11), Marshall (1841) (9), Thadeus/Thaddeys /Lou (1843)(7)

1860 Census was in the home of Jesse Jeffreys (54), Sarah (22) brother Albert (21), Levi (19), M (17), Lou (15)

Levi Jeffries married Eliza (last name unknown) with no identified record of where or when he was married.  His wife Eliza family history unknown.   They are buried at Martin’s Chapel Baptist Church.  Levi Jeffries is a documented member of Occaneechi branch of the Eno/Saponi tribe. 

Levi and Eliza Jeffreys (Jeffries) had three children: 

Joseph Jeffreys (Jeffreys) born 1872, 1873 and married to

1870 Census

Levi Jeffries (30) married Louisa Eliza (30), children Margaret (3) Fannie (2) Joseph then Widowed then married Laura Gunter Jeffries (1865-11/5/1930) parents were Issac and Flora Gunter

Father of Joseph (1872, 1873); Quintey (1874); Lee (1876), Jessie (1891); Leney (1894); Noah (1895); Mamie (1898); Lollie

Around the turn of the twentieth century, two churches were formed to minister to the spiritual needs of the community, where formerly circuit riding preachers had provided religious guidance. Jeffries Cross Church and Martin's Chapel Baptist Church were both churches built on land given by members of the community (Joe and Levi Jeffries, and Sam Martin, respectively). The churches are still strong, although they no longer are attended solely by members of the Texas community (Southern Indian Studies Published by The North Carolina Archaeological Society, Inc. 109 East Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27601-2807 Mark A. Mathis, Editor Officers of the Archaeological Society of North Carolina)

Most black denominations began after the Civil War with approx 11% of America’s 4,400,000 blacks belonging to churches by 1860 (http://www.christianchronicler.com/history1/black_churches.html) Many black churches aligned themselves separate from their white counterparts and created for themselves Associations to focus on support the church communities, create a separate identity and maintain representation for education and other social issues that prevail within the church body as a whole.  Jeffries Cross Baptist Church participated in the North Carolina Baptist Convention within the Cedar Grove Association.  

Brush or Bush Arbor Revivals happened around the beginning of the 19^th century.  These structures were build to give shelter to the those seeking to fellowship and hear the word of God. Structures were built from the surrounding timber and vines and usually sprout up when groups of people began to organize their residences.  There was a method to deciding where these structures would be built, including locations central to the group, in area with small trees, saplings and near where other materials could be easily obtained and moved.  Materials such as magnolia trees, used for natural roofing materials; hickory or oak trees for the post and seating area and logs split used for the seating.   Lastly, women would sit in seats that were brought or carried on their trip to the service and light was provided by oil lamps. 

Late 1790s, a Presbyterian preacher, James McGready, created camp or brush arbor meetings.  Using the resources provided by the region where he was Kentucky and Tennessee.  These resources included trees and brush to build temporary out-of-doors shelters for the people who came from miles and miles to hear the word of God.  These camp or brush arbors were utilized to protect the individuals from harsh sunlight and rainfall. 

Brush arbor became “commercialized”, along with numbers of people settling in the area; there was also growth of towns, permanent churches were built and outdoor meeting died out.  It was stated that these meetings did not play a part in the total American religious development, as t started as a product of a regional group but has been observed as far east of North Carolina.  (thelibrary.org)

Was built of logs and had a roof made of boards, brush straw and leaves. The early worshippers sat on board which were place on blocks cut from tree. There was no wooden floor on which they could rest their feet. During inclement weather, it was difficult for member to attend and umbrellas were used to keep bodies dry from the downpour of rain. After a few years use of the Brush Arbor, the original founders and those persons who had connected themselves with the church, plus other interested community people, constructed the first church building, a log church with boards over the window openings. No floor was in this building and persons attending worship services had to sit on sleepers.

Across the road from the present building, Prior to his death, he requested the land be used for a church but Never a cemetery.

This newly established group of believers who were bonded together in peace and unity, called the Reverend Walter Hation to be their first pastor. 

Brothers Julius Martin, Alvis Shaw, Willie Wilson and Jim Wilkerson comprised the first Brush Arbor Baptist Church Deacon Board.

A nickel per member was paid each month as church dues. 

With God’s blessings, this church began to grow and prosper.  The growth in membership necessitated a larger church.  .

Son Joseph T Jeffries (4/9/1873-11/7/1943) and wife Daisy Parker Jeffries (5/20/1881-3/23/1962) consented that the land could continue to be used as requested by Joe’s father.  After the death of Joe T and Daisy, their children; Alma, Avery, Clifton, Harvey, Levi, Wallace, Walter;  Decided to deed the land on which the present church is constructed  (See Land Deed)

In August 31, 1906, Levi Jeffries deeded the land plot for a permanent church site.  With hope, dreams and sustaining faith, the men in the congregation built a new church; instead of logs, this church was built with weather board. Even the windows in this church had shutters.  The women in the congregation assisted the men in every possible way and also prepared the meals.  All zealously labored in the name of the Lord.   This new weather board structure, which was evidenced of faith in God, became known as Mount Pisgah Baptist Church.

In 1924, under the pastorship of Reverend George Curry, a weather-board church building was constructed on the present site.  Also, in 1924 Tom Jeffries built a third building adjacent to the present site, which became a community church landmark.After a number of years the name was changed to Jeffries Cross Baptist Church

The powerful leadership characteristics of Reverend Marvis Bumpers, Buck Harris, Charlie Harris, George Patterson, and Spencer Warren established a secure foundation for this true place of worship. Other Pastors include: George Curry, William Chambers, Sam Badgett, Walter Mills, Hillary G. McGhee, Albert L Gee, Bosie Kimber, Charles Alston, Doyle Thomas, Benjamin Morrow

 Brothers Jim Haith, Beddford Jeffries, Marshall Jeffries, Samuel Jeffries, John Jones, Collie Exodus Martin(See Historic Register Exodus Martin House in Little Texas Community Fleming Graham Rd) , Saul Martin, William Harrison McCauley, Frank Wilson, and Willie Wilson served Deacons. Also, Walter Byrd, John Shaw, Frank Wilson, W.H. McCauley, John (Bill) Jones, John Shaw, Will Vaughn, Harvey Jeffries, Loy Jeffries, Henry Jones, Mank Tate, Clarence Walker, Clarence Vincent, Jr, W.S. Shaw, Willie Haith, Harvey Parker, William Currie, Melvin McCain, George Pierce. Current Deacons, Dwight Herbin, James Jeffries Jr, Derek Lee, Brent Currie, William Currie, Reggie Singletary, Benny Jeffris, Nelson Parker, and Edgar Vincent.

In 1935, under the leadership of Pastor William M. Chambers, the first Home Mission Sisters organization  was founded.  The officers were:  President, Sister Eliza Dixon, Vice President, Sister Emma Vaughn, Secretary Sister Onie Jeffries, Assistant Secretary, Sister Jessie Jones, and Treasurer, Sister Ollie Shaw.  Approximately two years later, Sister Gertrude Jeffries was elected as Corresponding Secretary.  In 1938, the Home Mission Brothers merged with the Home Mission Sisters.  Documented from the minutes on July 2, 1938, “We Home Mission Sisters and Brothers will put ten cents each in the treasury every month”.  

Auxiliaries

           Usher Board

Trustees

Building Committee

Youth Department

Notable People

See Also

References

Further Reading

External Links

References

African American Civil Rights in North Carolina, Dr Flora Bryant Brown

Farm and Factory Struggles, RoAnn Bishop

Images of America Alamance County William Kerr Lashley, 1999

The African –American Church, Past, Present, and Future  Harold A Carter, Wyatt Tee Walker, William A Jones, Jr 

Martin Luther King Fellows Press, New York , NY 10026

Aaron Press 103 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ. 07960 

Autonomous 21^st Century Look At The African-American Baptist Church   Lamont Johnson, Sr.  (2011) Godzchild, Inc  Godzchild Publications 22 Halleck St Newark, NJ 07104 

www.godzchildproductions.net 

Their Highest Potential An African American School Community in the Segregated South, Vanessa Siddle Walker

The University of North Carolina Press (1996)

The Lott Carey Legacy of African American Missions Leroy Fitts, (1993) 1

The Encyclopedia of African-American Heritage Susan Altman (1997)   Facts On File, Inc 11 Penn Plaza New York, NY 10001

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