Our Namesake

Dr. Olin T. Binkley was a professor and minister in Chapel Hill and later President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His Christian witness and commitment to thoughtful, inclusive faith inspired our founding members.

A Story of Courage and Conviction

Binkley Baptist Church was founded in 1958 as a new kind of Baptist congregation in Chapel Hill. From the beginning, it was shaped by a bold vision: to be inclusive, intellectually honest, socially engaged, and deeply rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Read "Essays on the First Fifty Years" Read 60th Anniversary Handout

Before the church was formally organized, a small group met for months to study what a faithful church should be. They believed:

  • The church must be inclusive, with no barriers based on race or background.
  • Christian faith must speak to real life, including social and ethical issues.
  • Baptists should honor local autonomy and freedom of conscience.
  • The church should work cooperatively with other denominations and faith communities.

On September 21, 1958, Binkley was formally organized with 56 charter members and began worshiping on the UNC campus.

The church was named for Dr. Olin T. Binkley, a respected minister, professor, and seminary president whose broad spirit and commitment to justice inspired the founding members.

From its earliest years, Binkley practiced what it believed.

  • It welcomed African American members during the Civil Rights era.
  • It affirmed women in leadership, including ordination and service at every level.
  • It opened membership to Christians from all traditions, regardless of baptism method.
  • It later became a Welcoming and Affirming congregation, publicly supporting LGBTQ persons in ministry and membership.

These commitments were not without cost. In 1966, Binkley was denied membership in the local Baptist association because of its open membership policy. In 1992, both the North Carolina Baptist State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention disassociated from Binkley following the licensure of an openly gay ministerial candidate.

Through each season, the congregation chose conscience, conviction, and inclusion.

The long pastorate of Rev. Robert E. Seymour (1959–1988) shaped Binkley’s prophetic voice in Chapel Hill and beyond. His leadership emphasized racial inclusion, social justice, ecumenical cooperation, and thoughtful preaching.

Over the decades, Binkley expanded its ministries, built and renovated its campus, developed strong music and arts programs, and created traditions that continue today.

The church moved into its first permanent building on Willow Drive in 1964. A new sanctuary was dedicated in 1984, symbolically connecting old and new as the congregation processed from the original worship space into the new one.

Subsequent pastors continued to guide Binkley through growth, renovation, theological exploration, and expanded outreach.

Binkley has always believed that the church’s ministry extends beyond its walls.

The congregation was a founding partner in:

  • The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service
  • Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
  • Meals on Wheels in Chapel Hill
  • American Baptist Churches of the South
  • The Alliance of Baptists

The church has hosted childcare programs, refugee resettlement efforts, racial reconciliation partnerships, prison ministry, peace initiatives, and community organizations for decades.

Its building has consistently been used as a resource for the wider community.