our History
Bald Creek United Methodist Church is one of the historic community institutions in the Bald Creek area west of Burnsville. The church stands at 42 Pleasant Valley Road, near the intersection of Bald Creek School Road and Pleasant Valley Road, within the Bald Creek Historic District.
The congregation was organized in 1882. Its first trustees were Wilson Hensley, W. P. Hensley, H. A. Proffitt, W. W. Proffitt, and Thomas E. Ray. That same year, John W. and Sophronia Burton deeded land to the trustees, and the first church building was constructed under the supervision of Rev. J. Frank Wampler.
The original church was part of a larger Bald Creek community that developed around education, family farms, and local civic life. The National Register nomination notes that Bald Creek became distinct from many other rural Yancey County communities because it grew around its school rather than around railroad, timber, or mining activity. The area’s farm families included names closely tied to the church and community, including Burton, Proffitt, Hensley, Wilson, Ray, Shepherd, and Whittington.
In 1913, the first church building was remodeled. That renovation added a pulpit and two rooms to the existing structure.
By 1951, the congregation decided to replace the older nineteenth-century building. Construction began in August 1951 on the present church structure. The new building measured about 36 by 80 feet and included the sanctuary, choir room, pastor’s study, ladies’ parlor, classrooms, restrooms, kitchen, work room, furnace room, and recreation hall in the basement.
The new church was built with a combination of outside and local support. A $5,000 Duke Endowment grant helped provide building materials and skilled labor, while the congregation and community supplied the remaining labor and materials. Families and individuals donated the sanctuary furniture as memorial gifts. The dedication service was held on September 4, 1955.
Architecturally, the present church is described in the National Register documentation as a plain, stucco-covered, front-gable masonry building with a full basement, double front doors, a pedimented portico, and a steeple. Repairs and exterior changes were likely made around 1978 after a severe flood in November 1977.
A church parsonage was built in 1956, across Bald Creek School Road from the church. The church property also includes a picnic shelter dating to about 1980.
Today, Bald Creek United Methodist Church remains an active congregation in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, listed in the Blue Ridge District at the same Bald Creek School Road address.
Our Pastor
Rev. Dr. Keith R. Haverkamp serves as the pastor of Bald Creek United Methodist Church in Burnsville, North Carolina. A retired United Methodist elder, Dr. Haverkamp brings decades of pastoral experience, theological education, and faithful service to the Bald Creek community.
A graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Dr. Haverkamp previously served in ministry in both New York and Tennessee before retiring to the Burnsville area.
His ministry at the Bald Creek church began in 2017. Since then, he has continued to lead worship, offer pastoral care, and serve the church and wider community with a heart for faith, compassion, and connection.
At Bald Creek United Methodist Church, Dr. Haverkamp is committed to helping people grow in their relationship with Christ, care for one another, and live out God’s love in the community.
Our Lay leader
Ronnie Proffitt is a longtime servant of the Bald Creek and greater Burnsville community and serves as the lay leader of Bald Creek United Methodist Church. Over the years, Ronnie has shown his heart for service in many ways, from his past work in the Yancey County school system to his volunteer work with the West Yancey Fire Department.
Ronnie helped serve local students through his work in education and supporting programs that prepared young people for real-world work and opportunities. More recently, his service with the fire department has reflected that same willingness to step up for his neighbors, including during times of crisis and recovery in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
At Bald Creek UMC, Ronnie continues to lead with humility, faith, and a steady love for people.
Guest Sermons and Services
Bald Creek United Methodist Church is blessed to have a caring church family and faithful voices who help lead worship when Pastor Keith is traveling or unavailable. During those Sundays, guest speakers and visiting pastors step in to share God’s Word, encourage the congregation, and help keep the rhythm of worship strong.
We are thankful for people like Shasta Wilde, Mike Shuford, John Stallings, and many more who have been willing to serve Bald Creek UMC through guest sermons and presiding over services. Each brings their own experiences, gifts, and heart for the Lord, offering the congregation fresh perspective while continuing the same spirit of faith, welcome, and community that Bald Creek values.
Their willingness to preach, teach, and serve reminds us that the church is strengthened by many faithful servants.
