Eastern Star Baptist Church
Why it's listed
This frame church in East Tarboro is the only Carpenter Gothic church in the town. It has board-and-batten walls, lancet-arched doors and windows, and a central three-stage tower on the main facade, with corner posts rising to pointed metal-covered finials. Inside, a vestibule in the tower leads to a sanctuary with a balcony carried on chamfered posts, a curving stair, ceiling moldings suggesting timbering, and distinctive curvilinear pews. The building is believed to have been built in the 1870s as the Tarboro Presbyterian Church, organized in 1874, and three women of the congregation are said to have determined its design. In 1906 it was moved to make way for a new brick church and was taken over by the Eastern Star Baptist congregation, a Black congregation established that year. The congregation has kept the building well preserved, and it remains a landmark in east Tarboro.
Significance in brief: It is the only Carpenter Gothic church in Tarboro and is very well preserved inside and out. It was also the town's first Presbyterian church. Since 1906 it has been the only home of the Eastern Star Baptist Church, a Black congregation that has been a community focus in east Tarboro.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80002827, listed April 2, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Church and Wagner Sts., Tarboro |
|---|---|
| County | Edgecombe County |
| Listed | April 2, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002827 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as remarkably well preserved, and used by the Eastern Star Baptist congregation since 1906. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.89348, -77.53025 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80002827.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5330487
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.