The William Carey Centre for Excellence in Ministry, created in 2018 by the President and the Board of Administration, has produced its first scholarly publication, Baptists in Early North America: Vol. V: Welsh Neck, South Carolina. The volume, edited by Dr. John Barrington, historian at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, is the newest volume in the widely-regarded series, Baptists in Early North America (BENA), edited by Dr. William H. Brackney. The volume is co-published by the William Carey Centre for Excellence in Ministry and Mercer University Press and is the first publication where the imprint of the Centre appears.

According to Carey Centre Director, Dr. Brackney, the Welsh Neck congregation was a pioneering church among Baptists in eighteenth century North America as a multi-cultural congregation. It shares the multi-cultural outlook in mission with Carey Theological College and the William Carey Centre. Here Baptists from Wales, the American colonies, Black slaves and aboriginal peoples mingled in a single congregation, founded in 1738.

The book features an historical introduction and a transcription with notes of the original records of the Welsh Neck Baptist Church. The records vividly demonstrate how a congregation grew to embrace new opportunities and challenges. It is a priceless gift to scholars and church folk alike, Dr. Brackney commented.

For further questions, please contact Patricia Ong at [email protected].