Church History
A group of Christians, formerly members of the SL Paul Baptist Church, met for worship in the home of Rev. J. F. Clark, 1610 Missouri, on January 27, 1955. Rev. J. D. Walker brought the message. Friday night, February 1, 1955, was set as the time to formally organize a New Testament Church. The organization of officers was as follows: Rev. J. D. Walker, Moderator, Bro. J. C. Lassiter, Temporary Secretary, Sis. Elsie Morgan, Temporary Secretary. Rev. Morgan read six (6) reasons why we were organizing a church, a copy of which was to be given to each member later. The Moderator asked everyone who wished to become a member of the church to list his or her name. It was voted unanimously that the church should carry the name Mount Harmony Missionary Baptist Church.
The committee on permanent organization included: Bro. Ben Neal, Treasurer, Sis. Rosie Fletcher. Treasurer for the Mission, Sis. Thelma West, Pianist, and Sis. L. C. Wilson, Assistant Pianist. Deacons and Deaconesses: Bro. H. C. Williams, Sis. Callie Bynum, Bro. Ben Neal. Sis. Willie 8. Turner, Bro. Allen Ladd, Sis. Rosie Fletcher, Bro. C. H. Wynne, Sis. Cindy Johnson, Bro. J. C. Lassiter, Sis. Essie Johnson, Sis. Birdie Montgomery, and Sis. Allie Benton. Sunday School Superintendent Bro. H. C. Williams, Assistant Secretary Bro. C. H. Wynne, Secretary Sis. Bobbie Pryor, Treasurer Sis. Ophelia Gardner. Teachers: Minister/Deacon Class: Bro. C. H. Wynne, Sis. Geraldine Wynne, and Sis. Ethel Williams. Missionary Society: Sis. G. E. Wynne, President, Sis. Annie Jackson, Secretary, Sis. Epsie Hughes, Treasurer. Circle Chairperson: #1 Sis. Sidnie McDonald, #2 Sis. Mattie Harrell, #3 Sis. Allie Benton. #4 Sis. G. E. Wynne. Baptist Training Union: Sis. Callie Bynum, Acting Director. Ushers: Bro. Johnny McDonald, Sis. Nettie Walker, Bro. Jesse Woody, Sis. Alonia Moore, and Bro. Allen Williams. This report was adopted with few additions. A committee was appointed to secure a piano: Bro. Ben Neal, Sis. G. E. Wynne, Sis. Thelma West, Sis. Anna Ladd, Sis. L. C. Wilson, and Sis. Ailene Burrell. The election of a pastor was the crowning point of our efforts. It was recommended by Sis. M. E. Shumpert that the Rev. J. F. Clark would become pastor of the Mount Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The Baptist Covenant was read by Rev. Walker and repeated by all. The Covenant was adopted for the Mount Harmony Missionary Baptist Church. The Baptist Articles of Faith were read and explained by Rev. Earl Morgan. It was moved and carried to adopt the Articles of Faith for the church. The Moderator presented the pastor, Rev. Clark, who expressed his appreciation first to God, then to the members for their loyalty and deep trust in him. The pastor then gave the church permission to hold service at 1610 Missouri until they could find a location. He also stated that the church need not pay him a pastor's salary until he said so. Everyone felt this was most kind. Rev. Clark appointed Rev. Earl Morgan and Rev. J. D. Walker as assistant pastors of the church. A committee was appointed to find a location for the church: Rev. J. D. Walker, Chairman; Bro. Ben Neal, Bro. L. C. Lassiter, Bro. Abe Reynolds, and Sis. G. E. Wynne. |
The pastor asked the committee not to make a report until he could be present. Rev. Clark reported that the chairs we were using were $2.80 each and suggested that each member buy a chair. It was moved and seconded that the trustees be authorized to buy 100 chairs. The right location for the church was a difficult task. The property on which the church now stands was bought from Rev. Clark for a small amount. A tabernacle was built in the rear until we could build a church. On Thursday morning, May 12, 1955, Rev. Clark succumbed to his long illness.
The church elected Rev. J. D. Walker to carry on as interim pastor until the church was one year old. Early in 1956, Dr. W. L. Martin was elected as pastor. Rev. Martin. being an outstanding minister and evangelist, stayed on fire for souls. Under his dynamic leadership many revivals were conducted, and as a result, many souls were added to the church. With Rev. Martin as pastor, we came from the tabernacle to the present sanctuary. During his pastorate, the members of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church were added to our church family. The first baptistry was installed, the purchasing of pews for the sanctuary and the adding of the balcony were added under Rev. Martin's leadership. Because of his deep concern and compassion for people he saw a need that would cross the race, age, and religious barriers to aid people; and therefore he organized the Christian Emergency Relief Fund which has continued to aid people to the date of this history. Many other things were done under the leadership of Dr. Martin, too many to mention at this time. After twelve (12) years of loyal and faithful service, the Lord looked out among His rose garden and saw a very special rose and decided to pick it for His home. Dr. W. L. Martin was called home on January 18, 1968. During the latter part of March 1968, the church elected Rev. J. C. Collins as pastor. The evangelistic part of the church continued to flourish and prosper. Under his leadership the pulpit furniture, the property where the parking lot stands and the erection of the education building were credited to his leadership. Rev. J. C. Collins served this church family for six (6) years and resigned June 1974. On September 25, 1974 Rev. Cleotis Peet was elected as pastor. The church continued to move forward under his leadership. During Rev. Peel's administration, the educational building was remodeled, the central heating and cooling system was installed, the parking lot paved. At the completion of the educational building the church was dedicated. Rev. Peet faithfully served for two (2) years and resigned in 1976. On January 27, 1977 the Dr. Robert L. Handley was elected as pastor of this church family. With his dynamic leadership ability we are steadily moving toward the higher call. Dr. Handley is constantly on fire for souls. Many have been added to the church and remain to the date of this history. The entire sanctuary has been remodeled, property purchased, cushions placed in the pews, and cushioned pews for the choir stand. |