In 1904, the parish school board
gave its permission to hold non-denominational services at the 3rd Ward
Central school. More rooms were added in 1915, with the Methodists
and Baptists assisting in the cost and work. In 1918-19, the Baptists
and Methodists worked together to build the Charleston Baptist Church.
After several people joined the congregation during a 1919 revival at that
church, the Methodist pastor stated that they had enough members to start
a church. That year, eight families came forward to pledge $100 each
toward a new church. The pastor at that time was Rev. W.R. Harvell.
Mrs. D.A. Whitefield approached the Millsaps family to ask for some land
for the church. They donated the land with the understanding that
a church would operate on the property. Construction began in 1923
and was complete by 1926.
When the depression hit, the
church closed for a while due to a lack of funds. After a 1934 revival
by Rev. R.M. Bentley (from the Gordon Avenue Methodist Church), the congregation
rededicated themselves and reorganized.
A new parsonage was built in
1961 on the church property. A new brick church was completed
in 1965. |
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