Rebecca Ragsdale Lallier Ordine dei libri (cronologico)

In 1923, a group of Baptists in Durham, North Carolina, established Watts Street Baptist Church in a downtown neighborhood adjacent to Trinity College, which would later become Duke University. The church faced early challenges, including budget issues and the Great Depression, but thrived as the neighborhood and university expanded. It navigated its own town and gown controversies while building a solid reputation for social justice and liberal views. Despite being predominantly White, Watts Street welcomed Black individuals from at least the 1940s, hosting regular interracial meetings. In 1963, it made history by ordaining the Reverend Addie Davis, the first woman in the Southern Baptist Convention. In 2009, the congregation adopted a formal statement welcoming all, regardless of sexual orientation or identity. The church's pastors have been dedicated leaders, unafraid to take unpopular positions. In 2014, the Reverend Dorisanne Cooper became the first woman senior pastor. Emphasizing mission over evangelism and individuals over doctrine, Watts Street has distanced itself from the Southern Baptist Convention, forming relationships with the Alliance of Baptists and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. As it approaches its next century, Watts Street remains committed to listening for the radical Spirit of God, ready to step out in faith and love.