Our History

It has been in the heart and mind of all the Charter Members of this church to make a move for the Lord by building a new church for approximately four years.

It was in October 1969, we had a total record of 106 members present for service. All our pews were filled, all the chairs were used and then some had to be seated in the choir loft. It was at this time, when we really realized our need for a larger church. Brother Borland had just been selected our pastor for the year, and he came to the deacons to discuss what we could do to make more room at the church. It was then Brother Borland was told of our plans of building a new church. He was willing to go along with us to try to build one.

We began looking for some land for the church site; someone thought of the place, the “Ole Gin Lot at Elgin Crossroads”. All the men began to seek all the information, such as whom it belonged to, the price, whether or not it was for sale, and we finally received all the information on it. Then we held a business meeting and the church decided to purchase the land. At this time, we did not think of having a church completed today because we did not have the money to start it after we paid for for the land in January 1970. But the Lord has blessed us in a in a mighty way, and this has been our way of HIM showing us that he will help us, if we only put forth a little effort, and put all of our faith in Him. God started blessing us with our undertaking. A man in our church came to us one night and stated he had $7000.00 he would let us borrow to get the building started and would not charge us any interest. This was Mr. Luther C. Hammond. We accepted his offer and started this 40-ft. by 84-ft. building. The Lord continued blessing us with free will offerings.

We held our first service in the new building on September 6, 1970. We had no Piano, no pews nor songbooks. The Whitehead Baptist church loaned us chairs. Brother Bourland arranged with Mr. Graham for a piano, Brother Brewer loaned us his songbooks.

On September 27, 1970 at 2:00 p.m. the charter members held an Organization Service to cordially endorse and welcome our new church into the Sisterhood of Churches and organize as a body. Brother Darnell, Brother Clarence White, Brother Cardinal and Brother Bourland served as the Organization Council. The

church was organized as Missionary Baptist.

Source: Jesse Putman, Jr.

Referenced from: History of Elgin Crossroads & Nearbys p.513-514 Copyright 2003 ISBN 0-9705214-6-4