OUR CHURCH HISTORY

Cary’s Baptist Church of Yorktown, Virginia—originally known as Carey’s Chapel—was organized on June 25, 1881, under the leadership of Reverend Carey Hopson of Hampton. The church’s humble beginnings took place under a “Hoy Tree” on the very land where the first frame building was constructed just a year later in 1882. That original building was later rebuilt in 1922, facing what is now Victory Boulevard. The church was founded by a devoted group of members including Brothers William Porter, Mercury Lamb, John Hayes, Willie Ash, Curtis Combs, Peter Banks, Josiah Combs, and Sisters Pollie Banks and Alice Hayes.

Following Rev. Hopson’s passing, Rev. Lovett, a dedicated teacher, assumed leadership and served for 18 years, particularly impacting the church’s youth. Subsequent pastors, including Rev. Thad W. Nettles and Rev. A.A. Hudgins, continued to guide the growing congregation. Under Rev. Hudgins’ leadership, a new church building was constructed in 1922, reflecting the church’s increasing influence in the community.

The mid-20th century saw a series of devoted pastors—Revs. J.D. Black, Y.B. Williams, J.D. Atkins, and T.O. Wilson—each of whom shepherded Cary’s through periods of growth and spiritual vitality. During Rev. Wilson’s tenure, the church acquired the old Cary’s Chapel School building in 1955 to serve as a fellowship hall, and in 1957, the Sisterhood ministry was founded, expanding the church’s outreach and service.

In 1960, Rev. Albert G. Graves became pastor and led the congregation in modernizing the church by bricking the structure. He also inspired the creation of the first youth choir under the leadership of Mr. David Banks.

A new era began in 1966 with the appointment of Rev. James I. Bridgers, who served until 1988. A gifted administrator and visionary, Pastor Bridgers led the church through the construction of a new sanctuary in 1982, which was completed debt-free thanks to the generosity of over twenty members. Alongside his wife, the late Dorothy Bridgers, he launched several vital ministries, including the Women’s Auxiliary, Christian Adult Fellowship, Men’s Chorus, and the Education Board. The Dorothy W. Bridgers Scholarship Fund was established in her memory in 1986. During his tenure, Rev. Bridgers also ordained several ministers and remained revered as Pastor Emeritus until his passing.

In September of 1990, Reverend Bobby D. Williams accepted the call to serve as pastor and was installed on October 21st of that year. He continued in that capacity for 12 years. Pastor Williams had a beautiful voice and focused on evangelistic ministry. During his pastorship, a brick marquee was added to the church parking lot and stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary and office areas. In addition to continuing the ministries of the former pastor, Reverend Williams inspired the birth of the Gospel Belles, “Kids Night Out”, and the Good Shepherd’s Society. With a heart for the work of the NAACP, he motivated the congregation to raise large sums of money for the organization. This resulted in Cary’s capturing the Miss NAACP crown for several years. In 1994, for the first time in the church’s history, women (Sisters Janice Barkers, Judith King and Margaret Tynes) were appointed to the Trustee Board. Also in 1994, Rev. Williams ordained Rev. Raymond Debreaux, who continues to serve as an associate minister. In 2002, Cary’s purchased a lot on Cary’s Chapel Road, adjacent to the church property.

OUR Mission

  • The Cary’s Baptist Church, a word centered – Holy Spirit led congregation, is committed to honoring Jesus Christ through celebratory worship, prayer, bible study and Christian services.

  • We will equip and empower believers for Christian living and service through sound biblical training to be sent out for ministries and missions, to the end that Christ be Known, worshiped and followed.

  • We will reach out to the unsaved through prayer and the proclamation of the “Good News” of Jesus Christ, addressing spiritual, emotional and physical needs through holistic ministries in the community, the nation and the world.

  • We will endeavor to make a difference in the way people see what’s truly important in life.

For the three years that Cary’s was without a pastor, God did not fail to provide leadership from within the church and support from neighboring pastors and fellowships. In 2003, Associate Minister Sidney Perry organized the Eagles of Faith Gospel Choir. In 2004, the Youth Ministry was established and in that same year, Reverend Walter Johnson of Zion Prospect played a major role in the training and ordination of four new deacons: Dwayne Banks, Melvin Russell, Lewis Swann and Calvin Townsend.

God continued to bless Cary’s as the fellowship welcomed its 12th pastor, Rev. R.A. Watson and his wife First Lady Patsy Watson on December 4, 2004. Pastor Watson was fondly Cary’s first full-time pastor. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of Pastor Watson, Cary’s became a tithing fellowship and witnessed an increase in membership as new members joined and former members returned. In honoring the Master’s charge to use our gifts to minister to others and spread his word at home and abroad, Bishop Watson inspired the church’s active involvement in the mission field.

In 2007, Cary’s supported its newly established Foreign Missions Ministry by sending eleven missionaries to Nairobi, Kenya for ten days to participate in the Kenya Baptist Convention and host the First Annual Convocation of the Refuge of Hope Centre. Those missionaries included the pastor and first lady, Rev. Raymond Debreaux, Rev. Karol Hopson, Deacon Alvin Russell, Deaconess Lornia Russell, Sisters Evelyn Staton, Dorthea Thomas and Peggy Harmon, Trustee Louis Thomas, Sr., and Brother Weldon Staton. Likewise, in 2008, Cary’s sent two members of its first Home Mission Team: Trustee Colon Oliver, Jr. and Sister Jean Oliver to New Orleans, Louisiana to help restore homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Bishop Watson encouraged and supported new ministers who answered the call to serve. Not only did he ordain Cary’s first female minister, Rev. Karol Hopson (2008), he also ordained Rev. Rex Ellis (2009) and licensed five ministers including his wife: Ministers Patsy Watson and Shawn Overbey (2008) , Ministers James Hill and Lamar Slade (2009) and Minister Evelyn Staton (2010). Under Pastor Watson’s leadership, the church witnessed growth in all areas: Two Bible Study Classes were added (2005); new pews and carpet were installed (2006); the first website was created in June (2006); a Women’s Sunday School Class and a “New Members’ Class” were created (2009); an Audio-Visual Team with A-V Room and state of the art technology were established (2010-11); first intercessory Prayer Ministry was initiated–led by Rev. Debreaux (2010) and the Children’s Church was organized (May, 2011).

In June 2011, God determined that Rev. Watson’s earthly work was complete and summoned him home. At that point, the Chairman of the Diaconate Ministry, Deacon Dwayne Banks, assumed the responsibilities of lay-leader of Cary’s. In addition to the other deacons, deaconess and trustees, he was supported by the associate ministers: Rev. Raymond Debreaux, Rev. Dr. Karol Hopson, Rev./Dr. Rex Ellis, Minister James Hill, Minister Shawn Overbey, Minister Evelyn Staton, and Minister Patsy Watson as well as a compassionate and grateful congregation.

Eleven months after the demise of Rev. Watson, our beloved Pastor Emeritus James I. Bridgers answered the Master’s call on Monday, May 21, 2012 at the age of 98.

Continuing to stand on God’s promises, Cary’s once again received favor as He guided Rev. Dr. Rex Marshall Ellis to accept the pastorship. An associate at Cary’s and the Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Pastor Ellis was elected pastor on December 4, 2012 and officially installed on March 24, 2013. During his three-year tenure, Dr. Ellis licensed one new minister, Eugene Comithier; ordained one of our associate ministers, Rev. Evelyn Staton; and sanctioned the nomination of two deacons-in-training: Brothers James Johnson and Michael Combs. In addition, he encouraged the church’s purchase of property at 1608 Cary’s Chapel Road and inspired the expansion of technology via Skype and automated calling. Multi-talented, Pastor Ellis used his oratorical and musical gifts to minister to the congregation. He was committed to Cary’s efficient and strategic management of God’s resources. Both Pastor Ellis and First Lady Paulette Combs Ellis encouraged the congregation to focus on maturing spiritually through faithful Bible Study and fervent prayer.  Rev. Ellis’s resignation terminated his role as pastor effective April 30, 2016.

Again, Deacon Dwayne Banks assumed the role of our lay-leader and continued to serve in the capacity as we awaited the calling of a new pastor. Our associate ministers continue to honor God’s charge through faithful service. In the last year, Rev. Staton has added a new Women’s Bible Study and Rev. Debreaux has implemented a “Dial-in Prayer Line”. In April, 2018, Rev. Debreaux also represented Cary’s on a mission trip to Haiti. A few months prior, Rev. Comithier answered the call to serve as pastor at Zion Hill Baptist Church. 

After three years of effectual prayer, God sent a new shepherd, Rev. Dr. Warren Choice, to become the 14th pastor of Cary’s in February 2019.  With the support of his family and despite challenges of the Covid pandemic era.  Dr Choice came with a clear mandate from God to developing disciples of all ages, teaching them to know that they are born of God's Spirit and all His promises belong to them.  

Under his administrative leadership, three new Trustees have been trained and appointed to the Trustee Board (Cemeal Carson, Freda Gist and Chena Younger). And in Feb 2023 history was made as our Board of Trustees signed official boundary line documents that combine all parts of our Cary’s Baptist Church property on the corner of Cary’s Chapel Road. Several needed facility upgrades have been accomplished during his tenure to include interior painting, new furnishing for the fellowship hall, new cooling system and the resurfacing of the church parking lot. In 2024, the graveyard was surveyed and mapped, installment of a new state of the art outside marquee and audio-video system was installed, inspirational banners were hung in the church sanctuary and church branding was established with a new CBC logo. In 2025, the security system was upgraded, providing additional cameras and keyless entry. Also, during his pastorship, our church constitution has been affirmed, revised, approved, and signed.  Pastor Choice is committed to the affairs of the church and the business of caring for God’s people. He insisted on the implementation/hiring of church security during morning worship and any church events as we continue in ministry.  

Pastor Choice has a passion for seeing people grow in God. Within these six years, under his pastoral leadership he has ordained three deacon (M. Combs) and for the first time in our church history two women (P. Harmon, and M. Sexton) are serving in this role. will serve in these in this role. Though there has not been a major increase in church membership, there has been tremendous spiritual growth among the faithful here at Carys.  There has been a 300% increase in Sunday school, weekly evening bible study and prayer line participation and church attended is on the rise.   We have more Sunday Teachers and Worship Leaders than ever before. Also in the last few years our online footprint visibility and communication has increased via by live streaming Sunday services, prayer-line via telecon, our YouTube, website and CBC Facebook page. These social medial platforms have brought awareness to the great things that God is doing here and provides an open invitation for other to come be connected to the move of God here at CBC.

By God’s grace and faithfulness, Cary’s has continued to strive and meet the needs of our community in old and new ways. Our outreach ministries have touched many lives foreign and domestic through the generosity of our members/friends and our strong community partnerships. We are instrumental in providing support for wells for the families of Nairobi Kenya, turkeys to families in need during Thanksgiving. We still host an annual thanksgiving meal for our senior citizens and a few movie nights, clothes and toys to families during Christmas, and scholarships for eligible colleges goers.  We still host an annual thanksgiving meal for our community senior citizens, provide clothes and toys to families during Christmas, and scholarships for eligible colleges goers.  New initiatives spearheaded by First Lady Choice have also been established such an annual Widow’s Brunch, Grandparents’ Day Celebration and an annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  

CBC under Pastor Choices’ leadership is committed to glorying God and edifying God’s people.