In the month of April of 1996, the ministry of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church was born in Aulander, NC. Rev. Michael A. Porter saw the need to establish a church that ministered to the whole man. Being led by the Holy Spirit, he began to establish and lay the groundwork for a church with an emphasis on ministering to all people regardless of age, race or socio-economic backgrounds. The first church motto was "A Place where everybody is somebody and Christ is all". In order to build upon these Christian principals, it was necessary to find men and women who were dedicated to the cause of Christ. These founding members were instrumental in building Canaan to the point in which we are today.

Our ministry had humble beginnings. Early services were held in the Ahoskie Gym on Main Street and the American Legion Hall on McGlohon Street. The officers, along with the Pastor quickly saw a need for a permanent sanctuary and land was purchased on Parker Ave. Shortly after, in 2001, construction began on our current sanctuary. Despite many hardships and struggles, the Pastor and officers held its first service in the new sanctuary in December 2001.

The church experienced a major set back in April 2003, when their pastor, Rev. Michael A. Porter, was called to be with the Lord. The officers worked tirelessly to keep the young church together as they searched for a new leader. After much prayer and consideration, the officers called Rev. Franklin D. Williams, Jr. to pastor the flock.

Rev. Williams served at Canaan until 2020. After his resignation in May, the church appointed Rev. Mary Drake as interim pastor.