Abandoned New Haven Church: A Community's Lost Heritage

By Miles and Nicole Layton

PERQUIMANS COUNTY — Close to sunrise Saturday morning, my wife and I were traveling through the county up by Halsey Bay and Harvey Point Road when we came across the smoking remains of New Haven Missionary Baptist Church.

A gallery of photos appears at the end of this story; video too!

Bethel Volunteer Fire Department conducted a controlled burn of the long-abandoned church Friday evening – a short memorial service preceded the event.

A few days before Christmas, the church’s roof collapsed, so local authorities announced plans for the controlled burn.

A few years back, Connie Brothers and her mother, Vanora, tried to save the many-decades-old church from fading into ruin, but to no avail.

“Regrettably, it appears that no one else shared my desire to preserve New Haven. Nevertheless, ultimate judgment rests with a higher power. The Deed of Trust has spoken,” Connie Brothers posted to social media.

Saturday morning, smoke and a few small flames were still visible amidst the ruins of the church that had served the Harvey Point community for many decades. There were scorched hymnals in the debris field — I’m hoping that Bibles were removed before the fire started. And there were a few fading gravestones; none of the names were visible in a side yard near the church. From what we could make out, one stone may have had a partial date visible – 1923 or 1933.

An overgrown area with several weathered gravestones visible, marked by small flags. The sun is setting in the background, casting a warm glow on the scene.

On that note, there are a lot of small cemeteries near and far across our spot of heaven. With a quiet prayer, I hope their descendants will tend these gravestones.

I’m praying that when I finally shuffle off this mortal coil, when I’m buried in Eastern NC or Tangier, Va, my children and grandchildren will visit my grave from time to time, that my last resting place on earth won’t fade from memory too soon.

I’ll say it again, it’s sad when a house of God is abandoned and left in disrepair. Imagine all the weddings, baptisms, funeral services, Sunday worship services and prayer at that church that took place in the sanctuary — all memories now.

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