Kenly Missionary Baptist Church was organized in February 1906 by five women and two men. The seven, Ida Bailey, Lillian Ayers, Kate Darden, Elizabeth Morris, Essie Renfrow, B.W. Harris and Fred Richardson, became the church's charter members.
Rev. R.W. Harrell was called to serve as pastor. In November 1906, the church was admitted to the Johnston Baptist Association. During the next year the Sunday School was organized with R.O. Martin as the first superintendent. Services were begun in the Presbyterian Church building.
The lot for the building, located at 306 E Second Street, was given by Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Bailey.
Rev. J.W. Nobles was pastor at the time the first church was built, 1907-1910.
By 1911 the membership of Kenly Baptist Church had grown from seven to 60, necessitating the addition of a Sunday School room, which was donated by R.O. Martin.
In 1926, the church felt the need for a parsonage for the pastor and his family. The lot, located across the street at 309 E Second St, was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Jones. The parsonage was built at a cost of $3,500. It was remodeled three times before it was sold and torn down in 2019.
The 1930s were a trying time for the church with the effects of the depression felt. In 1942 the church joined a field with two other Baptist churches, Thanksgiving and Pine Level. Rev. Tom Freeman was pastor at this time. Attendance and offerings increased and the church was remodeled in the 1940s. Turning the building to face the corner was one of the remodeling changes.
By 1957 the church became a full-time church with the Rev. Earl Crumpler as pastor. The kitchen and classrooms were added in the 1950s and 1960s.
In the 1970s the installation of the organ took place, the constitution and bylaws were adopted and a directory was published.
The 1980s saw continued growth of the church.
On December 24, 1990 Kenly Missionary Baptist Church burned. The sanctuary was destroyed and the educational building and social hall were extensively damaged. Church members met in Grizzard-Coley Funeral Home and the Presbyterian Church annex until a new church was rebuilt on the same location.
On Easter Sunday 1992, services were held in the unfinished building.
September 20, 1992 was the first Sunday service in the new building with the Dedication Service being held on September 27.
Over the years, the church continued to see rapid growth to the point where expansion was again necessary. To help combat this, 309 E Second St was purchased and used as the Office, while the parsonage become the Youth Activity Center. This, however, would only serve as a temporary solution.
Since the church building sat on landlocked property, it was decided that the church would purchase 12 acres of land just outside the city limits on NC Highway 222.
With the help of the "Growing Through Faith" campaign, the church was able to pay off the land debt and start planning.
On December 19, 2009, the congregation held a groundbreaking ceremony at the new location, with construction starting on April 19, 2010.
On June 12, 2011, the first church service was held at the new location.
On August 27, 2012, KMBC Christian Childcare Center opened it's doors for the first time as a vision by Pastor George Arant to offer children with a quality Christian education and to equip children with the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
In 2017, Pastor George Arant stepped down after 16 years of ministry, the longest of any pastor that has served at Kenly Missionary Baptist Church.
Pastor George received the Pastor Emeritus for his tireless perseverance in serving the Lord. This is the first time in our history that a pastor has recieved this title.
In July 2023, the church building was officially paid in full and the bank note was torn.
As time marches on, Kenly Missionary Baptist Church continues to be blessed by God!
