From a Brush Harbor Tent to a Brick Church on Old Stage Road
Poplar Springs Christian Church stands along Old Stage Road in southern Wake County, where the brick building its members laid by hand in the late 1920s still serves as the Fellowship Hall. The congregation's roots, however, reach back more than 150 years to 1871, when a small group of worshippers first gathered under a tent called Brush Harbor. Within a few decades the tent had given way to a wooden-frame church built near a large poplar tree and a natural spring, the two landmarks that gave the church its name. In 1912, church records kept by Rev. W. S. Matthews show the congregation affiliating with the North Carolina Conference, eventually becoming part of the Southern District Conference of what is today the United Church of Christ.
By 1928 the wooden church could no longer hold the growing congregation. Members dug the foundation by hand, hauled the brick, and erected the building that still stands as the Fellowship Hall. The work took several years, and the new space opened its doors in 1931. Rev. John W. Albright became pastor in 1932 and served for forty-eight years, the longest tenure in the church's history. He was followed in 1982 by Rev. James W. Morrison, and Rev. Alice Umphrey Watson served a brief season as Interim Pastor before Rev. Charles W. Brooks accepted the call in July 1990 and has led the congregation ever since.
More than 150 years after that first tent gathering, Poplar Springs describes itself with a single line on its homepage: "Inspiring everyone to become followers of God through the love of Jesus Christ." Everything the church does, from Sunday worship to Wednesday Bible study to community outreach, is meant to flow from that mission.
The Sunday Rhythm: Sunday School, Worship, and a Third Sunday Led by Youth
Sunday mornings at Poplar Springs follow a steady, unhurried rhythm. Sunday School for adults meets at 9 a.m., with a virtual option that runs over Zoom (Meeting ID 174-941-241). The in-person class studies Scripture together, makes room for honest discussion, and encourages one another in the daily walk of faith. Participants are asked to mute their devices when they are not speaking and to turn on their cameras to help facilitate face-to-face connection.
Worship begins at 10 a.m. and is livestreamed every week. The service blends traditional and contemporary music, honors the traditions that have carried the church for more than a century, and pairs that musical heritage with preaching and teaching grounded in Scripture. The atmosphere is described as genuine and warm, with no performance required. Visitors are encouraged to stay after the service rather than rush out; some of the best conversations, the church notes, happen after the benediction.
Children are part of the life of the congregation. Every Sunday except the third Sunday of the month, Youth Church and the Preschool Ministry run alongside the main worship service. On the third Sunday, the Youth Ministry takes the lead and conducts the entire worship service itself. It is one of the favorite Sundays of the month for many in the church.
Meet Senior Pastor Charles W. Brooks
Pastor Brooks was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on December 19, 1959, the seventh of eight children of William C. and Ruby Sorrell Brooks. After losing his mother at age five, he moved to Raleigh to be raised by his grandparents, the late Weldon and Grace Sorrell, and grew up at the Manly Street United Church of Christ (now Macedonia New Life Church). He graduated from Broughton High School in 1978 and began studying history and government at Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh. In September 1979 he preached his first sermon under Pastor D. A. Peace, Sr., and while still in college he was called to serve as pastor of Pleasant Union United Church of Christ in Raleigh.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Government from Saint Augustine's in 1982, then entered the School of Theology at Virginia Union University, where he completed a Master of Divinity in 1987. He returned to North Carolina to serve as pastor of Children's Chapel United Church of Christ, and in July 1990 accepted the call to lead Poplar Springs. He continues as Senior Pastor today. He and his wife Regina, the mother of his three children (Charles II, Renita, and Briana), make their home in the Raleigh area.
Supporting the Senior Pastor is Rev. Roy A. Clark, who serves as Assistant Pastor. The Youth Ministry is led by Pastor Eric Sconiers, reachable through youth@poplar-springs.org.
A Deacon Board and a Wide Circle of Lay Leadership
Poplar Springs is a congregational church with a strong lay leadership structure. The active deacon board includes Daryl Atkinson, Maxcine Bethea, Preston Bethea Jr., Phyllis Boykin, Anthony Chavis, Howard Cook, Ken Griffin, Al McCutcheon, Ella Mebane, Melvin Mitchell, John Primus, Antonio Purcell, Wayne Robbins, Virginia Sanders, Perry Scott, and Chris Smith. Deacons serve the spiritual life of the congregation and assist with worship.
Behind every service and ministry is a team of support ministries that keep the church running. The Board of Directors, Church Council, Moderator, Finance Committee, Trustee Ministry, Safety Ministry, and Beautification Ministry handle governance, facilities, and stewardship. Hospitality is carried by the Greeters Ministry, the Adult Ushers Ministry, and the Youth Ushers Ministry. The Media Ministry manages the livestream, the in-service video announcements, and the sound booth. The Marketing and Publicity Ministry tends to the church's public presence, and the Prayer Ministry anchors the congregation's life of intercession.
Ministries for Adults at Every Stage of Life
Poplar Springs organizes its ministry life around five broad areas. The Adult Life + Missions cluster gathers men, women, couples, and young adults into smaller communities. The A.B. Davis Fellowship Ministry, the Connecting Couples Ministry, the ELEVATE Ministry for Young Adults, the Men's Fellowship Ministry, the Missionary Ministry, the Spouses of the Deacons Ministry, and the Women's Ministry each offer their own rhythm of fellowship, study, and service.
The Men's Ministry meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Poplar House. The Women's Ministry gathers for regular Tea Time events, retreats, and seasonal outings. Connecting Couples hosts marriage enrichment events such as the 10 Great Dates series, mocktail afternoons, and Black Marriage Day tributes. ELEVATE gives young adults a place to grow in faith alongside peers. The Missionary Ministry organizes an annual free give-away event, mission support, and connections to outreach partners beyond the church walls.
Children, Youth, and the Next Generation
The Children + Youth cluster includes the Preschool Ministry, the Youth Ministry, and the Youth Ushers Ministry. Children from preschool age through their teen years have a place to belong, learn, and grow. On most Sundays, Youth Church and the Preschool Ministry run alongside the main worship service so that parents can worship while their children are taught at their own level. On the third Sunday of each month, the Youth Ministry plans and leads the entire worship service.
The youth also have a place to serve. The Youth Ushers Ministry (for ages 10 to 18) trains young people to be the first impression of the congregation on Sunday morning. The Teen Ministry meets regularly at the Poplar House after service, and Vacation Bible School is held each summer with volunteer teachers and helpers drawn from across the church.
Wednesday Nights: Adult and Youth Bible Study
Wednesday nights are a second front door at Poplar Springs. Adult and Youth Bible Study classes meet at 7 p.m. from September through May. The Bible Study page opens with Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Lessons can be downloaded in advance through the church's Google Drive.
For those who cannot attend in person, Bible Study is also available over Zoom (Meeting ID 321-225-925). Participants are asked to mute their phones when not speaking, keep their cameras on for connection, and extend patience and grace as the virtual environment has its own rhythm. A separate long-running online small group, Bible Study Buddies Online, has been meeting twice monthly since February 2015 under the leadership of Dr. William Chavis.
Music, Arts, and Worship that Honors Where the Church Has Been
Music and the arts are central to worship at Poplar Springs. The Cultural Arts and Music Ministry leads the congregation in praise, drawing on traditions that have carried the church for more than a century. The ministry includes the Adult Dance Ministry, the Flag Ministry, the Youth Dance Ministry, the New Generation Choir, and supporting musicians who serve the weekly service as well as seasonal productions such as the Resurrection Sunday Worship Experience. Choir rehearsals, music workshops, and seasonal specials round out the calendar.
The worship style blends traditional and contemporary music, with preaching that the church describes as "grounded in Scripture and honest enough to meet you where you are." The goal is an atmosphere where every person can encounter God, whether they grew up singing hymns or are walking through the doors for the first time.
Community Outreach: Showing Up for Hard Seasons
The Community Outreach cluster at Poplar Springs takes the love of Christ beyond the building. The Cancer Support Ministry walks with members and their families through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The Counseling Ministry offers a listening presence in times of crisis. The Culinary Ministry prepares meals for those in need. The First Aid and Health Ministry supports wellness on church grounds and at church events. The Separation and Divorce Ministry offers care during marital transitions. The Food Bank, in partnership with community providers, hosts a regular food truck distribution for the surrounding neighborhood.
The Missionary Ministry extends the church's reach further still, organizing an annual free give-away event and coordinating with outreach partners beyond the local area. Members participate in community walks and fundraising teams such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the Relay for Life at Lake Benson Park in Garner. Hygiene drives, men's shelter collections, and reentry support for women round out a year-round calendar of service.
The Sewer and Water Capital Campaign: Building for the Next Generation
For decades, Poplar Springs has been sustained by well water and septic systems. The Water and Sewer Capital Campaign, branded "Flowing with Faith: A New Water System," aims to connect the church to city water and sewer lines. The campaign frames the work as stewardship: "caring responsibly for what God has entrusted to us."
The current well water is not safe for drinking or cooking in the church kitchen, and it discolors restroom sinks and commodes. Leaks, contamination risks, and emergency repair expenses have continued to climb. The campaign's $300,000 goal will fund new water and sewer lines, modern monitoring and control technology, stormwater improvements, enhanced fire protection, and new fixtures. The proposed timeline is thirty-six months or sooner. Members and friends can donate to the campaign online, share with neighbors, attend information sessions, or become a campaign ambassador who appears in short videos promoting the project.
Christian Education, Discipleship, and Lifelong Growth
Christian Education at Poplar Springs is built on the conviction that spiritual growth is fundamental to being an active Christian. Sunday School anchors the week. The New Disciples ministry walks new believers through the early steps of faith and church membership. The Scholarship Ministry supports preschool, high school, and college graduates each year with recognition and financial assistance through the Brooks Endowment Application, the PSCC Scholarship Application, and a Graduation Recognition Form. Children's Sunday School, the Youth Ministry, and the Preschool Ministry round out the educational ministry from the earliest years through young adulthood.
Giving: An Act of Worship
Poplar Springs describes giving as an act of worship. Tithes and offerings support the work of the church, and the congregation is taught from 2 Corinthians 9:7 that "God loves a cheerful giver." Members and friends can give in three ways: online through Tithe.ly, in person at the church office (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.), or by mail to the church address. The PSCC Capital Campaign accepts dedicated gifts through the Tithe.ly giving platform as well.
The Church App, also powered by Tithe.ly, puts events, announcements, prayer requests, and giving in one place on iOS and Android. It is one of the simplest ways to stay connected to the week-to-week life of the church.
Plan a Visit: What to Expect on Your First Sunday
Visitors are welcomed exactly as they are. Sunday School begins at 9 a.m., and worship follows at 10 a.m., in person or via the live broadcast. There is no dress code; what makes a guest comfortable is the right choice. In summer, casual attire is at home in the sanctuary. The atmosphere is genuine and warm, with no performance required.
The church building offers handicap parking, level access, and wheelchair accessibility throughout. Ushers and greeters are happy to assist with any additional accommodations. For those without a ride, the Safety Ministry coordinates van transportation; riders are asked to contact the church office by the Thursday before their Sunday to schedule a pickup. The church office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 919-772-5151.
Children and families are part of every Sunday. Youth Church and Preschool Ministry run alongside the main service on most Sundays, and the third Sunday of each month is led entirely by the Youth Ministry itself.
Connected All Week: Livestream, Prayer, and the PSCC Calendar
Every Sunday at 10 a.m., the worship service is livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. Sermon archives are available through the livestream page and the church's Facebook page. A weekly announcements page keeps members informed about upcoming events, ministry needs, and prayer requests. The Prayer Wall offers an ongoing list of members and friends in need of prayer, updated regularly by the Prayer Ministry.
The church calendar, embedded from Breeze ChMS, lists Bible study, ministry meetings, choir rehearsals, and special events week by week. Members can log in to the church's Breeze portal for member-only resources, and anyone can download a copy of the church constitution for review.
A Congregation that Has Been Here for 150 Years and Plans to Be Here for 150 More
From the Brush Harbor tent in 1871 to the brick Fellowship Hall built by hand in 1931, Poplar Springs Christian Church has been a steady presence on Old Stage Road through every chapter of Raleigh's growth. Four senior pastors have shaped its ministry, dozens of ministries have formed to meet changing needs, and generations of families have taught their children the same songs and prayers within the same walls. The current capital campaign to bring city water and sewer to the property is, in the words of the church, "about stewardship: caring responsibly for what God has entrusted to us." Whether someone is walking through the doors for the first time or returning to a church their grandparents attended, Poplar Springs greets them the same way: "you are welcome exactly as you are."