“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The Early Community

Before the 1700s

The first people to arrive in the Hardin’s Chapel community came and settled the bottomlands thousands of years ago. They camped near the creeks and springs, made paths to their other settlements throughout the region, cleared fields to grow corn and pumpkins, and left their arrowheads and other artifacts for the next generations of settlers to plow up and find.

Kidwell’s Meetinghouse

1790s–1860s (first mentioned 1800)

In the years after the Revolutionary War, North Carolina paid its veterans in land instead of scarce money. These veterans traded and sold the land among themselves and others. They continued the land clearing that the Indians had begun, and sometime in the 1790's they built a cabin to serve as a school and a church.

This building was called Kidwell's Meetinghouse after early war veteran landowner Joshua Kidwell. The first mention of the meetinghouse is in a land deed from 1800, and it served as the community church until the early 1860's, when a new brick church was built on a hill next to a new road — the site of the current church and its front driveway.

The original Kidwell's Meetinghouse was used as a school and community center until it burned in 1890. It was replaced by the Kidwell’s School, which was used until the mid-1950’s.

A New Church Building

Late 1950s

The original brick building served until the late 1950's, when it was torn down and the present church was built on the same site.

The Birth of Hardin’s Chapel

1860s–late 1800s

The new church building was made of soft-burned bricks made by slaves on the farm of Abigail Hardin in a field that came to be known as the brick field. Construction was interrupted and hastened by the Civil War, although the partially completed building was used during the War for worship services.

This church was originally known as New Kidwell’s, but gradually the church became known as Hardin's Chapel.

The Present Church

1979–Present

The church building has undergone many changes and updates, especially after a fire in January of 1979 gutted the basement and heavily damaged the sanctuary.

To the structure of the 1950’s has been added a steeple; front and back porches; a library; new windows; interior redesigns; and most recently a new sign, roof, pastor’s study, and a handicapped restroom. It has always been the intention for the church building to change and improve its ability to serve its congregation and community.

Continuing the Story

Today and Tomorrow

The congregation too has changed in the past 225 years. Many of the family names and connections of those early pioneers remain in the church and community, although the individual members of course come and go and new families join the church family.

Many fine and good people have made up this church. Many fine and good people still make up this church, and they continue the tradition of combining old and new ways to best serve the Lord and their neighbors.

The Story Continues

“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” — Psalm 145:4 (ESV)

We are thankful for those who came before us, but we believe God is still writing the story of Hardins Chapel Church. Our prayer is to faithfully proclaim Jesus Christ to this generation and those yet to come.