In Covenant

" from now and forever"

FBC – Main & Rankin1 9 2 4 - 1 9 7 8

FBC – D'Evereaux Dr1 9 7 9 - P r e s e n t

Wall Street/FBC 1 9 0 3 - 1 9 2 3

Wall Street Baptist Church 1 8 5 2 - 1 9 0 2

Bicentennial Celebration

Order of Worship Sunday, April 30, 2017

Preparing to Worship Prelude How Majestic is Your Name Linda Heard and Judy Mason Celebrating His Presence Call to Worship This Is The Day Reunion Choir Directed by Mr. Ken Miller Welcome & Recognition of Special Guests Dr. Doug Broome Morning Prayer Dr. Doug Broome

Celebrating His Church Congregational Hymn To God Be the Glory No. 28 Presentation of 200 year certificate from MBHC Dr. Anthony Kay Presentation of Proclamation from City Mayor Darryl V. Grennell Presentation from Congressman Greg Harper Austin Fratesi, Field Representative

Celebrating His Faithfulness Offertory Prayer Mr. Paul Allen Offertory Praise Great Is Thy Faithfulness Mr. Derrick Burt Offertory Introduction of Guest Speaker Dr. Doug Broome Choral Praise The Majesty and Glory of Your Name Reunion Choir Directed by Mr. Ken MillerCelebrating His Word Keynote Message A Church with a Vision Dr. Ronnie Falvey Proverbs 29:18

Celebrating Our Renewal Invitation Hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus No. 413 Postlude Linda Heard and Judy Mason

Ringing of the Church Bell

ome of the earliest Baptist settlers in the Natchez district arrived by flatboat in the Coles Creek area in the 1780’s. They were from South Carolina and were led by Richard Curtis, Sr. Mr. Curtis died November 10, 1784, and his son, Richard Curtis, Jr. became the spiritual leader of the group. From seeds of faith planted by Rev. Curtis and his family and other faithful men and women, Baptist work took root.

Nine persons assembled at the home of John and Sarah Richards on Jefferson Street in Natchez formed the nucleus for the beginning Baptist church in Natchez. This beginning was in 1817. The church applied and was accepted for membership in the Mississippi Association. The first pastor was Benjamin Davis, a local schoolteacher.

On June 11, 1822, Governor Walter Leake approved an act of the Mississippi Legislature to incorporate the trustees of the first Baptist church in the city of Natchez. There were struggles facing this early church. In 1835 Mrs. Sarah Richards joined the Clear Creek Baptist Church at nearby Washington. Elder Ashley Vaughn and his wife Eliza had recently come from the First Particular Baptist Church of West Troy, New York, and he was pastor of the Clear Creek church.

In 1837 Elder Vaughn reorganized the early Baptist Church of Natchez. Young in years, but educated and astute, he also wrote and published The South Western Religious Luminary, a publication which rallied support for a coming together of the Baptist Associations to form a state Baptist convention. Elder Vaughn was the third pastor of the Baptist Church in Natchez, serving from 1837-1839. He died on March 29, 1839. He is buried in the Natchez City Cemetery in the lot of John and Sarah Richards.

Six more pastors followed as shepherds to the flock of the Baptist Church of Natchez. During the pastorate of Rev. T.G. Freeman in 1848-1849, a controversy arose over the actions of a man named Meade. Some of the church believed in his innocence while others believed he was guilty. This split the church and Rev. Freeman and about 20 members left and formed a new church, Wall Street Baptist Church, on April 14, 1850. Property was purchased on the corner of Wall and State Streets and a beautiful edifice was erected there in 1852. Rev. Freeman was followed by Rev. B.B. Gibbs.

Wall Street Baptist continued to advance, made up of both white and black members. In 1854 membership was 493, of whom 334 were blacks. The church purchased a lot from the Natchez Railroad Company and built a church for the blacks (Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church). This was done with contributions from both the blacks and the whites.

The early Baptist Church of Natchez dissolved in 1855.In 1860 with a membership of 493, Wall Street Baptist was the

second largest Baptist church in Mississippi. They hosted the 24th session of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention. Rev. W.W. Keep was pastor.

The War between the States disrupted everyday living, including church life. The church was without a pastor for 11 years. Finally, in 1871 Rev. T.J. Drane became pastor. For a number of years the church was allotted funds through the missionary arm of Baptist work. In 1882 when substantial progress was made and the church was steadily approaching a self-sustaining position, the allotment was decreased to $600 annually.

The Wall Street Baptist Church began to flourish under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Z.T. Leavell from 1884-1889. After

he left the pastorate in Natchez he authored the book, A Complete History of Mississippi Baptists: From the Earliest Times, Vol.1 and Vol. 2.

A Ladies Aid Society was added in 1889. This was the forerunner of the Woman’s Missionary Union.

In 1891 the Fifty-third session of the Mississippi Baptist Convention was held at Wall Street Baptist. Rev. Vernon H. Cowsert was pastor.

The church owned a lot on the corner of Jefferson and Pearl Streets and established a Builder’s League to raise funds for building there. In 1902-1903 they reversed directions and voted to remodel their building on Wall and State Streets and the church sold the Jefferson and Pearl lot to the Prentiss Club.

In 1909 Wall Street Baptist Church voted to change its name to First Baptist Church. Rev. John A. Held was pastor. There were 311 members.

Under the leadership of Dr. W.A. Borum, who pastored from 1918 to 1926, property was purchased at the northeast corner of Main and Rankin Streets and a church edifice built. Ground was broken on April 11, 1921 for the $80,000 building. Dedication of the building was not until July 15, 1945.

The longest held pastorate in the church’s history was that of Dr. W.A. Sullivan from 1927 to 1953. He is remembered as a very scholarly Bible teacher who exhibited true affection for his flock. He also insisted for a period of years that his salary be lessened so that funds could go toward the indebtedness of the church building. He led the church to build an educational annex in 1948-1950. His wife, Tima, held leadership positions in the Woman’s Missionary Union. Dr. Sullivan died June 26, 1953.

Rev. E. Wayne Coleman, a third-year Southern Seminary student, came as supply from May 1 to August 31, 1953. He was then called to serve the church as full-time pastor, a position he held until 1956.

Dr. D. Lewis White was called as pastor in 1957. Two other full-time staff members were added: Bill Santo as Minister of Music and Miss Waudine Storey as Educational Director. The building at 709-711 Main Street was purchased for Sunday School space. There were 1,682 members in 1957. South Canal Street Mission, begun in 1954, was constituted as Briel Avenue Baptist Church on May 11, 1957.

In December 1961 Rev. Tom W. Dunlap was called as pastor. Under his pastorate the church purchased 48.6 acres on D’Evereaux Drive, signing the deed on June 26, 1962, purchased from the University of Chicago.

The church voted in 1965 to sell the parsonage at 1016 Main Street (the Keyhole House).

First Baptist opened a Kindergarten and Day Care Center in 1970. Rev. Ronald W.L. Mills oversaw this project. An elected Building Committee (Mrs. Glenn Blackwell; Judge Robert Bonds; Mrs. T.B. Buckles, Jr.; Mr. Paul Green; Dr. Swink Hicks; Mr. Herman Moore; Mr. Kenneth Moss; Mrs. Don Wenger) began making plans and reporting to the church. In 1972 the Building Committee’s recommendation was defeated.

Nineteen seventy-three saw the resignation of three full-time staff members: Rev. Tom W. Dunlap, Mr. Major C. McDaniel and Mr. Ronald W.L. Mills. In October of that year the church called Rev. Odean W. Puckett as pastor.

A Concise History of First Baptist Church, Natchez, Mississippi

S

In 1974-1975 two full-time staff members were called: Mr. Ken Miller as Minister of Music/Youth and Mr. Neron Smith as Minister of Education. The church voted to rescind the Long-Range Planning Committee of 1971. A new Building Committee was elected consisting of Kelly Pyron and Paul Green, Co-chairmen; Mrs. Cleo Adams, Mrs. Peggy Benson, Mrs. Eunice Hoyland, Kenneth Moss and Frank Vaught. On May 23, 1976 the church approved plans to relocate to the D’Evereaux Drive property and to begin a “Together We Build” campaign.

Ground was broken April 10, 1977 for a multi-purpose Family Life Center and Educational building at 150 D’Evereaux Drive. Dedication of this new plant was April 29, 1979.

Two additional staff members were called in 1980: Tommy Anthony as Minister of Activities/Youth and Dan Wynn as Minister of Education/Administration.

On January 16, 1983 ground was broken for a $3,000,000 Sanctuary east of the educational building. September 9, 1984 was the dedication of the Sanctuary. It contains 13 stained glass windows, six representing Old Testament events, six representing New Testament events and one above the baptistry depicting the resurrected Christ. The evening service that day was the presentation of Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise by the Sanctuary Choir and Jackson Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Ken Miller.

In 1993 a “Mortgage Burning” ceremony and Victory Celebration was held April 25.

In 1994 Mrs. Linda Heard was hired as organist, and the church celebrated Ken Miller’s Twentieth Anniversary with the church.

Rev. Odean Puckett announced his retirement effective June 1, 1997. After an interim by Dr. Carl White, Rev. Dan Robertson was called as pastor. Under his pastorate several mission trips were made to Honduras and one to the Ukraine.

In 1999 Dan Ratcliff was called to serve as Minister of Youth/Activities. Ken Miller led a mission trip to Rifle, Colorado, before his retirement in July. There were 1,824 members and an average of 406 in Sunday School.

In 2000 Bro. Dan Robertson resigned to answer a call to Foreign Missions. The church was involved in eight mission trips, Adolescent Offender’s Program with the Youth Court and English as a Second Language. It also hosted World Changers July 15-22, and Dan Wynn celebrated his Twentieth Anniversary with the church.

In 2001 A History of First Baptist Church, Natchez, Mississippi was published. Mrs. Marcelle Herron was the author. The church called Dr. Judson W. Hurt as pastor. Dr. Hurt introduced to the church and the community “Holy Week” services, inviting local pastors to deliver an Easter message, followed by a lunch for church and community. He also established “Missions Day” in March, 2005 for an outreach to the community.

From 1998 to 2011 mission trips to Bolivia, South America, took place. Four of those trips were medical/dental services to a people group known as the Guarayos. Coordinator for these trips was Kenneth Moss.

In 2007 Rev. Graham Smith was called as interim Minister of Music. Four church members made a mission trip to China.

In 2008 Dr. Douglas R. Broome was called as pastor. Six

church members and four persons from other churches made a mission trip to China.

In 2010 Dan Wynn retired from his position in Education/Administration. The Mississippi Baptist Church Library Ministry held its fall conference at First Baptist, Natchez. Rev. Graham Smith was called as part-time Minister of Music.

In 2012 Rev. Dallas Dykes was called to become the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Administration, and Miss Marlee Miller the Director of Children’s Ministries.

In 2013 Rev. Graham Smith retired as Minister of Music. Ironmen Inaugural Sporting Clay was held September 14. Dr. Broome was chosen to lead the 2013-2014 Executive Committee of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

In 2014 Mr. Derrick Burt began as Director of Music Ministries. Dr. Broome appointed Cathy Moss as chair of the 200th Anniversary Steering Committee. Members of the Bicentennial Committee are Paul Allen, Katie Graham, Sue Hewitt, Joan Kiser, Fran Nolan, Martha Jane Ratcliff and Charles Stephens.

In 2015 Rev. Dallas Dykes resigned. Dr. Broome was elected the president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

Plans were laid in 2015-2016 by the Bicentennial Committee for the celebration of the church’s 200th Anniversary in 2017. Those plans include:

February 12 Historical monologue of Chloe Holt, portrayed by Susan McKinley

March 19 Guest soloist, Annaclaire Wilbanks Tadlock

March 26 Keynote message by Dr. Jim Futral, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board

April 29-30 Celebration Weekend: Saturday, April 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00-4:00 P .M . Reception & Exhibits in the Family Life Center

Sunday, April 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 Keynote message by Dr. Ronnie Falvey, Senior Pastor of FBC, Madison, Mississippi Mr. Ken Miller, Guest worship leader and director of Reunion Choir

Sunday, April 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . After service Catered celebration lunch in Family Life Center

In Covenant – 200 years, “from now and forever”

Bicentennial Committee Members Cathy Moss, Chairperson Joan Kiser Paul Allen Fran Nolan Katie Graham Martha Jane Ratcliff Sue Hewitt Charles Stephens

2017 Historical CalendarThe Bicentennial Committee has published an historical calendar containing 2017 dates,

history from 1817 to 2015, buildings, timeline, list of pastors and photos of various members and events. These calendars are available for purchase.

"Memories: A Gift from the Heart"This booklet was produced by a committee of Joan Kiser, Chairperson,

Martha Jane Ratcliff, Jean Simonton and JoAnn Mullins. It contains remembrances from 45 church members spanning decades of church life.

Special ThanksKelly Baroni and the

Hospitality Committee

Ronnie Blackwell

Mary Jo Britt

Donna Carr

David Carter

Tanya Clardy and the Activities Committee

Julie Darling

FBC Staff

Tanya Fisher

Becky Fortenbery

Lanius Fortenbery

Debbie Fuller

Irvin and Linda Garrett

Denise Geter

Mayor Darryl Grennell

Historic Natchez Foundation

Angie Huff

Dana Kimbrell

Richard Lambert

Susan McKinley

Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission

Mississippi Department of Archives and History

JoAnn MullinsMurray Printing

Page OgdenForest and Barbara Persons

Jean SimontonSmith Printing Company

Gabrielle SpinksBingo and Mary Starr

Spencer StutzmanJan Swoveland

Johnny Waycaster

First Baptist Church150 D’Evereaux Drive, Natchez, Mississippi

601-442-1464 • fbcnatchez.org

Dr. Doug Broome Senior PastorDr. Hal Stewart Associate Pastor for DiscipleshipDan Ratcliff Associate Pastor of Student MinistriesDerrick Burt Director of Music MinistriesMarlee Howard Director of Children’s MinistriesLinda Heard OrganistJudy Mason PianistTanya Fisher Church SecretaryDebbie Foster Financial/Activities/Students SecretaryTerry Stutzman Music SecretaryNancy Bowman ReceptionistBeth Shutt Media AssistantRonnie Blackwell Maintenance Supervisor

Staff