Wake Forest Baptist Church, located on the campus of Wake Forest University, will soon close its doors as members have voted to dissolve the ministry.
“Are we called to stay in this space and pay this monthly rental fee to do the ministry here, or could that money be used in better ways elsewhere?” Rayce Lamb, interim pastor of Wake Forest Baptist Church, said in a WXII report.
The church was first organized in 1956 when Wake Forest University moved to Winston-Salem. The WXII report said that the decision to shutter the facility was made based on a declining and aging membership, limited financial resources, and a new rental policy imposed on the church by the university.
The university regularly evaluates lease agreements, and the church was notified in 2021 that the university’s fee structure would be changing for independent groups and organizations. The church has held free services on campus for 66 years, but under the new agreement, it would have to pay the university $2,500 per month.
“It became clear that there were better ways to use our assets going forward that would still make real impact,” Lamb said.
While he regrets the decision, Lamb said other area churches would pick up the slack and continue Wake Forest Baptist Church’s work in the community.
“It’s going to be missed, but the great thing about the city of Winston-Salem is we are not the only progressive church doing the work of justice in this community,” he said. “I have no fear the students of Wake Forest University, the faculty and staff of this institution will continue to hold not just leadership of the university but Winston-Salem accountable.”
A release listed no closing date but said more information would be forthcoming.
