ARCHER LODGE - White Oak Baptist Church celebrated its 150th anniversary with an enormous spread of food and hundreds of current and former residents of Archer Lodge.

Some things never change.

But some things might: The celebration came on a blustery Sunday in late October, barely a week before the community's incorporation vote. Archer Lodge, a former tobacco crossroads, could soon become a town.

Support for incorporation ran high among those at the church's anniversary lunch, from Archer Lodge old-timers to homeowners in the community's new subdivisions.

Jake Barnes, 82, said a new municipality could direct growth in the place he's always called home.

"There's so many, many, many more people," said Barnes. He remembers walking a mile to the old school here, but welcomes the changes new residents have brought.

"We need them in our church and in our schools," Barnes said. And, he added, the community would need new rules and regulations as it swelled with new people.

Though Archer Lodge has changed, Barnes hoped forming a town would help preserve the community's traditions and character.

Scott Galloway, 32, moved to the area from Wendell three years ago, hoping to find a place that better suited his family. He said incorporation would help Archer Lodge shape its future and foster better schools for his two kids.

"I think it would give folks some say-so of what goes on in their backyard," he said.

In Archer Lodge, the church and nearby community center are social hubs. New neighbors often make their introductions in the pews or the well-attended monthly meetings at the center.

And though the new housing has brought "septic tanks and paved streets" to former farms and fields, resident Jeff Barnes said it has only strengthened Archer Lodge. "I've seen a lot of change take place, but it's been change for the better," he said.

If the incorporation measure passes, "change" could come soon after. Carlton Vinson, an organizer for incorporation, said a town council meeting could take place within a week of the vote.

An exploratory committee has recommended the town provide the following services: fire protection, police protection, water and land-use planning, including zoning.

The 3,000 people who live in the nine square miles in question would pay a a property tax of eight cents per $100 valuation.

Vinson was confident that the Town of Archer Lodge would soon come to be. Few people spoke up against the idea at public meetings, he said.