Date published: 9/7/2002

AT THE CORNER of Forbes Street and Jefferson Davis Highway, just north of the chaotic intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 17 in Falmouth, stands a small, white wooden structure currently known as Golgotha Church. The little church has been standing at this location as a local landmark and as the meeting place for various church families for 111 years.

Falmouth Baptist Church was founded in 1891 after several attempts to break from the Fredericksburg Baptist Church. Unsuccessful attempts to separate from the church in the city of Fredericksburg had been made many times, including in 1818, 1861, 1868 and 1888.

The building was completed in 1892 as the meeting place for Falmouth Baptist Church. Between 1917 and 1920 the rear addition was added and the present pews were purchased. In 1932 the Rev. P.H. Clements was called upon to preach on Sunday evenings for the sum of $700 per year.

Clements became the full-time minister in 1941 when Falmouth Baptist became a full-time church, and he remained in that position until 1944. Property at 302 Colonial Ave. was purchased in 1946 for a new, larger church. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Oct. 3, 1954, for the first portion of the new church. The completed building was dedicated Dec. 11, 1955, and the original wooden church was sold.

In 1955 the Highway Assembly of God purchased the little wooden church. It remained in its possession until the mid-1970s. During his tenure, Pastor Robert Revell (now pastor emeritus) lived with his family in the small rear section of the church.

In 1988 the church building was purchased by the Golgotha Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Keith M. Davis is the leader of this congregation.

Davis takes pride in his church's involvement in helping the needy in the area, and laments the lack of space and the loss of some rooms in the structure due to water damage, which limits his congregation's ability to serve the community even further. As a small church, the monies necessary to save the church and restore it are well beyond the congregation's means.

The most striking feature of the church is its unique bell tower. The bell of Golgotha Church has "C.S. Bell Co 28 Hillsboro O" inscribed on its yoke. The bell is of steel alloy and is mounted on a 4- by 4-inch post frame. The bell has been rotated 90 degrees, but the clapper was not realigned to swing in the same direction, so the bell cannot be rung even if a rope were installed.

Date published: 9/7/2002