The old Deyton school building, located at 308 Harris St. in Spruce Pine, has been transformed into the Baptists on Mission Spruce Pine Rebuild Center.
The building was purchased in November 2024 to support Baptists on Mission’s disaster-relief response efforts in the High Country.
While the facility is not open to the public as a shelter, it will serve as a housing and operations center for volunteers traveling to Western North Carolina to assist with construction efforts and the rebuilding of homes damaged or impacted recently by Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).
The Spruce Pine Rebuild Center can house up to 200 volunteers and provide two hot meals each day, along with a packed lunch. The facility includes 10 dormitory-style sleeping quarters, separate shower rooms for men and women, restrooms for both, and a laundry area for volunteers.
A dining hall also serves as a central meeting space for volunteer teams. In addition, the center features two common areas, designated for adults and the other for teens, along with the Dale Duncan Memorial Chapel.
The purchase and renovation of the former Deyton school establishes a permanent home for Baptists on Mission in the High Country. Paul Langston, a mobilization ministry consultant with Baptist on Mission, said Western North Carolina has a strong volunteer presence and that the organization has been searching for a location in the region where it could make a lasting impact and expand its disaster relief efforts throughout the area. Langston stated that Baptist on Mission “expects to be in Western North Carolina for years to come.”
He added that both he and the organization are grateful for the opportunity to serve and minister to residents of Mitchell County and the High Country.
Baptist on Mission is a ministry affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of NC, with a focus on faith-driven disaster relief, medical services, and community outreach. The organization is volunteer-driven, with individuals donating their time to serve communities through hands-on ministry. According to Langston, there are approximately 6,000 disaster relief volunteers across the state.
Baptist on Mission volunteers have also served internationally in locations such as Puerto Rico and, most recently, Jamaica.
Volunteer nurses, doctors, dentists, and trained staff provide care in areas that might not otherwise have access to services, including healthcare screenings and dental care through mobile units. Langston added that individuals in these communities have received an estimated 300 to 400 hours of free care.
In response to Hurricane Helene, Baptists on Mission mobilized quickly to meet community needs, initially basing operations out of local churches, including the First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine and churches in Pine Branch and Grassy Creek, in coordination with local emergency services. With the establishment of the Spruce Pine Rebuild Center, the organization will be better equipped to coordinate incoming volunteer teams and address logistical challenges experienced during the early response.
Local and Western Regional Director of the Baptists on Mission Linda Pittman, recalled that First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine became a central gathering point during the storm because it was one of the few facilities with power. As residents and law enforcement brought individuals in, volunteers focused on meeting immediate needs, with medical professionals assisting those who required care.
“One of the first things we focused on was keeping people warm and meeting their needs,” Pittman said.
Shelly Hixson, office manager at the Spruce Pine Rebuild Center, said the facility provides an opportunity to identify and respond to local needs.
“This can be used as an outreach for the community,” said Hixson.