On March 26, 1830, the North Carolina Baptist State Convention was organized at a home in Greenville. The organization had its roots in the North Carolina Baptist Missionary Society, formed in 1811 as an outlet for planning missionary work. It eventually came to be known as the Benevolent Society.
The founders of the Baptist State Convention created two other related institutions once the convention was operational. The statewide Baptist newspaper, the Biblical Recorder, was established in 1833, and Wake Forest College came into existence the following year. The Baptist Female University, now Meredith College, opened with the convention’s support in 1899.
Today, the Baptist State Convention offers an outlet for cooperative missionary work as well as guidance to church leaders and administrative staff. Resources include instruction and guidelines for general operations and advice for churches. The state convention assists groups in forming new Baptist congregations in the state, as well. The Baptist State Convention operates educational facilities, children’s homes, retirement homes and a credit union, among missionary and support programs. Its home office is in Cary.