![]() ![]() ![]() Under his dynamic and Christ-motivated leadership, St. Jerry Young, (fondly called “the boy preacher” by older members) was chosen to lead the flock. In 1974, after dutifully searching the selection committee offered to the congregation a very young, energetic minister. He was president of the Baptist Educational State Convention of Mississippi. This choir would sing gospel music opposite the music offered by our Sanctuary Choir. This choir would sing on the First Sunday, a Sunday he added to our services. Morris was a lover of good gospel music so much that he was instrumental in forming a second choir for the church. Morris was an outgoing minister and often invited ministers from various Baptist organizations and the General Baptist State Convention to minister his flock. They selected a young man who demonstrated the ability to lead a large group. Undeterred by bitter in-fighting, the deacons, trustees and a pastor selection committee had a job to do. Some of its members left the fold and started another church here in Greenville, Zion Baptist Church. The church grew in membership and prospered. A modern Sunday school was added to the church along with the senior choir, junior choir, B.Y.P.U. Martin the membership grew from 25 to 500 members. Marshall Seard (a local house mover) moved the church to its present location (Union and Harvey Street). The members then purchased the Methodist Church (White) building locate on Shelby Street, where the Big Brothers Bible class building now stands. In the year 1903, the little brown church burned down. He was ordained and elected to lead the congregation. The little church elected Tom Martin, (1887 – 1931), a local preacher of St. He came with them from Newton and served only a few years, resigned and returned to Louisiana. John’s first minister to lead the congregation was Rev. There they built their first church home, a small brown frame building. They bought a lot on the corner of Harvey and Union Street. ![]() John became the fifth church of Greenville (Black). There were only 4 Black churches in Greenville at that time: Mt. After they were successful in their prayer meetings, they decided to organize a church and name it Saint John Missionary Baptist Church. The known members of that little group were: Lelmuel Williams (a local minister), Ennis Williams, Harriett Douglas, Carolyn Wright, Sarah Gardner, Annoca Williams and a few others. So they began having prayer meetings in the little house on O’Hea Street. They just couldn’t adjust themselves to the city style of having church. They hungered for the “good old time religious meetings” they use to enjoy back home. The immigrants coming from a country plantation to the little city of Greenville soon became sad and lonely. The population of Greenville at the time was about five thousand. The church was organized by a group of Christians immigrates from Newton, Louisiana. This is the site where Watson Funeral Home stood and is now occupied by the church, Living Word. Church was organized some times between the years of 18 in Greenville, Mississippi in a small house located on O’Hea St. ![]()
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