Western Assembly Churches

The Western Assembly Disciples of Christ Church was organized in the year 1872. According to all historical data, Chief Lewis Raynor was the founder and organizer of the Assembly.

The Assembly's beginning took place on the present site of the Bentonville Disciple of Christ Church. Because of this fact, Bentonville Church is the Mother Church of the Western Assembly, Goldsboro-Raleigh Assembly and the Southern Assembly.

We have two church unions and an Annual Assembly. We are divided into six districts with a presiding Elder over each district. Our churches at the present time are located in several counties: Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson and Wayne. Our headquarters building is located in Johnston County.

First Women Ministers were ordained November 4, 2010

Twelve Bishops (Chiefs) including the present chief have served the Assembly. The names of those Bishops are as follows:

1. Bishop Lewis Raynor
2. Bishop Nedham Ashford
3. Bishop Josiah S. Thornton
4. Bishop J.W. Raynor
5. Bishop Horace Williams
6. Bishop J.W. Barfield
7. Bishop E. J. Flanigan
8. Bishop Alonza Chestnut
9. Bishop Roger Moore
10. Bishop Willis L. Williams
11. Bishop James L. Williams
12. Bishop Charles J. Williams, Sr. (Present)