Mount Horeb Baptist Church

Zero Community of Lauderdale County

Donated by David Pickett

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church was organized and constituted as a church on August 26, 1848.

August 26, 1848

At Mount Horeb Church, we the undersigned believers, having been baptized upon the sign of our faith, do solemnly come and agree to come together in a church capacity for the purpose of observing the laws of the gospel and mutual benefit of each other and we do hereby pledge ourselves to assist on another in our Christian pilgrimage and to observe the ordinances of the gospel and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Names of Males Names of Females

Burrell Stinson Martha Stinson

Benjamin Graham Sarah Parker

Jesse Bynum Anney Graham

James Parker Jincy Anderson

James O. Rigby Luga Hooks

Appeared on the day and date above mentioned, George Brown and Mathias Wolf, and after due examination we, the above named ministered proceeded bring the above named brethren into a Constitution of their being found orthodox, we hereby certify and they are constituted upon the Abstract Principle of the Association and so declare too by the name of Mount Horeb.

Being under our hands August 26^th, 1848

George Brown

Mathias Wolf

February 20, 1888

In consideration of ten dollars, I convey and warrant to Josiah Ethridge and John Stinson, Deacons of Mount Horeb Baptist Church and their successors as a building place for Mount Horeb Church. The land described as follows: Beginning at NE Corner of the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 16, Township 5, Range 16E and run south 416 feet; thence East 416 feet; thence North 416 feet; thence south to the point of beginning, making four acres more or less, Section 16, Township 5, Range 16E of Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

Witness my signature this the twentieth day of February 1888

Louis Berry Pickett

Mt. Horeb Church Rules of Decorum

1. There shall be a conference held on the first day of our monthly business meeting and our moderator or supply presides while in good order, in his absence any other member shall be called to fill his seat.

Conference shall be opened by prayer or praise.

Invite visiting brethren to sit with us.

Open the door of the church for the reception of members.

Call for reference.

Call for general business.

Receiving into fellowship licensing and ordaining the church shall be unanimous but in other cases a majority shall be but if the minority shall be aggrieved they shall say in their grievance at the next conference and shall have a hearing but if they remain in congregation (?word faded) they will be considered in disorder.

It shall be the duty of all male members to fill their seats in conference except providentially hindered and every male member while in conference shall not absent himself from his seat without permission of the moderator.

In all debates but one shall speak at a time, which shall arise from his seat and address the moderator.

No member shall speak more than twice to the same subject without permission from the moderator and shall not be interrupted while speaking unless he depart from the subject or (two words unreadable) reflection.

Every motion and second made shall come under the consideration of the church except withdrawn by the mover.

The moderator shall not vote except in case of a tie and then shall give the casting vote.

It shall be the duty of the clerk to read the Rules of Decorum at each communion season and oftener if the church requires it.

It shall be the duty of the deacon or treasurer to make known to the church when they are out means to defray the expense of the church.

It shall be the duty of the church to elect the moderator and clerk annually.

It shall be the duty of the clerk to read the minutes of each conference at the opening of the meeting.

These rules may be amended when the majority of the church is in favor of it.

The first building was built across the road where the pastorium currently is located. The first building was constructed from logs. It stood in existence for nine years. During the time there was one pastor.

1. Mathias Wolf (1848 – 1857)

The second building was built on the side of the road of the current building. This new building was one constructed of sawed lumber or plank. This building was built in 1857. During this time there were thirteen pastors.

1) Hardy Yarborough (1857 – 1867)

2) J.E. Brunson (1867 – 1875

3) A. Gressett (May 1875 – September 1875)

4) J. D. Stone (1876 - 1883)

5) William Culpepper (1883 – 1884)

6) J. D. Stone (1884 – 1886)

7) E. H. Clark (1886 – 1889)

8) H. A. Pickard (1889 – 1892)

9) Soy Ray (September 1892 – December 1892)

10) J. E. Brunson (1893 – 1894)

11) L. M. Brunson (1894 – 1895)

12) D. A. Covington (1895 – 1897)

13) R. W. Sumrall (1897 – 1909)

A third building was built in 1910 near the same location as the previous building. This building was a two-story plank building. The ground floor was for church services while the upper floor was a Woodman Of The World Hall. Later the second floor was converted into Sunday school rooms. This building was used for 46 years. During this time Mt. Horeb moved from ¼ time to ½ time services under Rev. Ed Grayson. Mt. Horeb moved from ½ time to full time under W. H. Henderson. There were 15 pastors who served during this era.

1) Carey Dearman (1909-1911)

2) W. E. Finley (1911-1914)

3) J. J. Mayfield (1914-1917)

4) J. W. Sumrall (1917-1921)

5) Eugene Stevens (1921-1929)

6) Gorden Ezelle (1930-1931)

7) W.B. Able (1931-1937)

8) R.L. Allen (1937-1938)

9) Deb Stennis (1939-1940)

10) Lewis Curtis (1940-1941)

11) Ed F. Grayson (1941-1948)

12) W. H. Henderson (1948-1952)

13) W.E. Overstreet (1952-1953)

14) R. F. Moore (1953-1955)

15) Everett Denton (1956-1963)

A fourth building was erected and completed in 1956 (estimated date of completion)

We the brethren and friends of Mount Horeb Baptist Church do agree to form a Bible Class for the purpose of enlightening our minds on the scriptures (date not shown but was probably soon after organizing due to place on microfilm)

June 1852

Resolved by Burrell Stinson that foot washing be adopted in the church. It was adopted. NOTE: At this point the church would be a Primitive Baptist Church.

August 1859

A colored brother belonging to Mr. Pendleton McDonald and Birts, a colored brother belonging to Mr. Whitlock (?) was received for membership.

February 1870

M. Stone offered a resolution that if any member of the church that is known to be intoxicated more than twice will be excluded without a hearing. The resolution was adopted.

August 1870

Requested a letter of dismissal from the Liberty Baptist Association. Joined the Bethlehem Baptist Association.

July 1876

Mt. Horeb agreed to withdraw from the Bethlehem Association to become a member of the Liberty Association.

September 1876

Read and adopted the letter to Liberty Association in which Mt. Horeb requested admittance. Hosted the Liberty Associational Meeting.

December 1883

It was approved to sell the old church house.

September 1886

Agreed to call for a letter of dismissal from the Liberty Association.

September 1892

Voted on and approved for the church to build a pool (assume pool refers to baptismal pool)

September 1902

Moved and passed that Mt. Horeb asks for a letter dismissal from the Bethlehem Association to join the new Association (assume refers to Lauderdale Baptist Association which was organized October 18, 1902).

October 22, 1904

The members agreed to dissolve the church, since the fifty-one members were scattered over many counties. Letters were granted to all members. Those present took the Lord’s Supper and went out for the last time. R. W. Sumrall, pastor.

May 1906

The following met and reorganized the Church. Those present were:

1) Joe Ethridge and wife

2) John Stinson and wife

3) R.W. Sumrall and wife

4) J.B. Pickett and wife

5) G.W. Blackwell and wife

6) L.O. Bynum

7) Minnie Lee Bunyard

8) Mary Ethridge

9) Robert Pickett

10) J. L. Smith

11) Walter Sumrall

12) Homer Sumrall

13) Wyatt Sumrall

14) Susan Pickett

R. W. Sumrall was called as pastor, J.B. Pickett was elected church clerk, and L. O. Bynum was elected finance clerk.

August 1906

The church agreed to join the Lauderdale County Baptist Association.

March 1907

It was agreed to organize a Sunday School.

February 1908

Sunday School was organized with W. W. Bostic as supertendent. W. H. Stinson was elected his assistant, and J. B. Pickett as secretary. Members were as follows:

W. W. Bostic W. H. Stinson T. J. Bostic

Josiah Ethridge B. F. Covington Winfield Bostic

Luther Bostic James Bostic Montgomery Bostic

George (possible Bostic) T. J. Mason J. H. Pickett

M. J. Stone J. D. Stone J. B. Pickett

Robert Pickett Pressie (not sure) Mason Laurence Stinson

Frank (not sure) Morton Elijah Covington Jimmie Mason

Ronnie Bostic Joe Stone Sidney McDonald

Carry Covington May Stinson Maggie Mason

Azzalee Pickett Huldah Bauswell Emmer Bostic

Lizzie Bostick Mary McDonald Lula McDonald

Nannie (not sure) Stone Lula Covington Alice Covington

Bula Bostick Ruby Mason Nancy Stone

Willie Stone Maimy Bauswell Bessie Stinson

Minnie Lee Pickett Mrs. Mary Stone Johnny Robinson

Mrs. Jessie Morton Minnie Morton Alvaretta Ethridge

Lore Alexander Fannie Bostic Susie Mason

Carry Mason

1927

Hosted the Lauderdale Baptist Associational Meeting.

September 1941

Evening services were decided upon.

June 1943

A motion was made, seconded, and carried to have services on two Sunday’s a month. Ed Grayson, pastor.

September 1946

The installing of a heating system for the church was discussed.

November 1946

Butane gas was installed for the heating system

July 19, 1947

The young people and married class bought 72 new Broadman Hymnals for the church.

June 6, 1948

The Young People’s class ordered collection plates for the church.

August 22, 1948

Mt. Horeb observed her one hundredth birthday. The house over flowed with people. The morning service consisted of a short sermon, some singing and the reading of the organization of the church. Dinner was served. After dinner the service began by singing some hymns led by Roy Grayson. After that the church history was read by James Walker. All the pastors through the one hundred years were read and the number of years they each served. There had been only six church clerks. The oldest members were recognized. They where Mary Ethridge who had been a member for 56 years and Minnie Lee Bunyard who had been a member for 52 years. After the history was given, Rev. Cary Dearman spoke since he was the pastor when the current building was built.

April 24, 1949

Met and organized a Baptist Training Union. James Walker was elected director and Eugene Skinner was elected associate director.

August 1949

Front porch and front doors built on to the church.

May 13, 1950

Mt. Horeb purchased a new piano from Melody Music Store.

August 13, 1950

A special called conference was called for with the purpose being to go full time. The full budget was read and asked if there were any questions or discussion. There was none. Bonnie Walker made motion that the full time budget be approved. Herman Usher seconded the motion. The vote to go full time was unanimous. Ben Caraway made the motion to call Rev. W.H. Henderson as full time pastor. Jessie Bowden seconded the motion. Rev. W. H. Henderson was unanimously called.

Pastors of Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Mathias Wolf (1847-1857) Eugene Stevens (1921 – 1929)

Hardy Yarbrough (1857 – 1867) W.B. Able (1931 – 1937)

J.E. Brunson (1867 - 1875) R.L. Allen (1937 – 1938)

A. Gressett (1875 – 1875) Deb Stennis (1939 – 1940)

J.D. Stone (1876 – 1883) Lewis Curtis (1940 – 1941)

W. Culpepper (1883 – 1884) Edd F. Grayson (1941 – 1948)

J. D. Stone (1884 – 1886) W. H. Henderson (1948 – 1952)

E.A. Clark (1886 – 1889) W. E. Overstreet (1952 – 1953)

H. A. Pickard (1889 – 1892) R. F. Moore (1953 – 1955)

Soy Ray (1892 – 1892) Everett Denton (1956 – 1963)

J. E. Brunson (1893 – 1894) John R. Daniel (1963 – 1964)

L. M. Stone (1894 – 1895) J. W. Coker (1965 – 1972)

D. A. Covington (1895 – 1897) Edward Smith (1972 – 1977)

R. W. Sumrall (1897 – 1909) Danny Lafferty (1978 – 1979)

Carey Dearman (1909-1911) Archie McIntyre (1979 – 1981)

W. E. Finley (1911 – 1914) Jerry Sanford (1982 – 1991)

J. J. Mayfield (1914 – 1917) Stanton C. Cheatham (1991 –

J. W. Sumrall (1917 – 1921)

Early Minister of Music for Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

L.O. Bynum (1939 – 1943) Mrs. Lucy Carmichael (1944)

James Walker (1947 – 1951) Horace Clark (1961 – 1963)

Howard Clark (1952 – 1960)

Ministers of the Gospel Licensed

1952 – James Walker

1954-- J. C. Warren and Roland Caraway

1955—Robert Davidson

1961—Gerald Usher

1967—Bill B. Patton, Jr.

1969—Richard DeLuna

1970—Larry Moore

1978—Jessie Lee Knapp

Ministers of the Gospel Ordained

H. A. Pickard (year unknown)

James Walker 1953

Bill B. Patton, Jr. 1967

Jessie Lee Knapp 1979