RALEIGH, N.C. -- Martin Street Baptist Church in raleigh turns 150 years old this year and the church is celebrating its community impact all year long.

  • Members say the church isn't about the building, but the people who are in it and the message they take to those outside of it.
  • Church leaders believe it takes more than good preaching to reach everyone.
  • On Saturday, Martin Street members dressed down and cooked out.

Members say the church isn't about the building, but the people who are in it and the message they take to those outside of it.

Church leaders believe it takes more than good preaching to reach everyone.

"This church has just been here on this corner. But, this church has reached out all over the state of North Carolina, all over Wake County, all over the City of Raleigh. We've impacted so much, so we've invited so many people in so we can share all we have done over the past 150 years," said Rev. Dr. Shawn J. Singerton, a pastor at Martin Street Baptist Church.

On Saturday, Martin Street members dressed down and cooked out. They say next weekend, they plan to dress up and have a gala to celebrate.

Saturday's event was free and open to the public.

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