History Of Cedar Grove Baptist Church

Cedar Grove Baptist Church History

(Photo shows building prior to removal of original audoritorium. Construction of a new auditorium was completed in spring 2000.)

In telling the story of the beginning of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, one cannot improve on the description taken directly from the minutes written by L. D. Spears, the first Church Clerk. He wrote:

"Record of the Baptist Church of Christ organized at old Six Mile May 14, 1905. History of organization is as follows this being the second Sunday in May 1905 we Brethren as Sisters met as to previous appointment for the purpose of worshiping the Lord in prayer and song service after which Bro. W. A. Reagan read from God's word and preached a sermon on the church and her mission. We then went into an organization but prior to taking this important step we had presented our situation to two other Sister churches namely Macedonia and Central Churches. Both of those churches in conference appointed Brethren to meet with us and assist us in our organization into a church. Owing to the fact that the day on which we had set to organize was so rainy we had to continue until today. Bro. Sidney Smith from Macedonia and Bro. W. A. Reagan from Central Church at Carthage was with us, we then proceeded to organize. Bro. Reagan gave invitation to all that wanted to organize with us to come forward and take the front seats after which brother Reagan read the articles of faith which were cheerfully subscribed to by each one that presented themselves.

"The following reasons were given for having to organize as we had been in a body with Six Mile Church and the majority said church had departed from the organized work and the state convention which forced us that wanted to stay with the organized work to reorganize.

"The Church Covenant was then read by Bro. W. A. Reagan and unanimously adopted by all.

"After which Bro. Reagan gave opportunity for anyone wishing to unite with us in any way we are instructed to receive members. The following Brethren and Sisters presented themselves for membership in this organization.

"Brethren: A. J. Webb, L. D. Spears, J. J. Bush, J. M . Born, S. M. McCollum, J.W. Wicher, by Experience and Baptism M. L. Harden, by Letter M. B. Denton, J. F. White, Johnny Pope, George Marshall, Carl Marshall, A. Poore, Deacon Bush.

"Sisters: Eliseheh Wilcher, Lena Bush, Julia Marshall, Fannie Dennard, Berthe Spears, Annie Roberts, N. A. Spears,

Callie Poore, Mytie Harden, Lisie Born, B. A. Boucher, Essie Harden, By Experience and Baptism, Ida Dennard; by letter Margaret Denton, A. D. Parrish, May Bell Spears, Lue Marshall, Arecia Webb. (Note: This role was added to a letter date, but the first six men and twelve women were the original members.)

"All of which presented themselves by statement except Bro. Wilcher and wife who presented letters from Bethel Church, La. The above Brethren and Sisters were voted upon separately and found in full fellowship.

"The Right hand of the Church fellowship was extended each one and all while the song of I LOVE THY KINGDOM LORD was being sung.

"After which Bro. Reagan made a good talk of encouragement to us followed by Bro. Sidney Smith with a few words of encouragement after the church went into conference and transacted the following business:

"Elected L. D. Spears Church Clerk, J. M. Born Deacon. The Church unanimously adopted.

"As there was no other business Conference adjourned by setting Saturday before the second Sunday in each month as our Regular meeting time and the Sunday following.

"Conference adjourned to meet on Saturday before the second Sunday in June 1905.

Always referred to in the minutes as the Baptist Church of Christ at Old Six Mile Church, the body continued to meet monthly in the same building with the Six Mile Church until 1911, when the BMA Conference requested that the Old Six Mile Church change its name and have a property settlement with the Six Mile Church.

In October, 1911 interest in the property was sold for $75.00 to the Six Mile Church, and a committee was instructed to secure means to build a new church, J. M. born sold the church 1 1/2 acres of land for $35.00 per acre, and the name was changed to Cedar Grove Baptist Church of Christ.

For the next few months the meetings were held at the Bethlehem Methodist Church, and then these words are written in minutes by Bertha Spears who was the church clerk:

"We had our first meeting in our new church April 14, 1912, the church made a motion to express to Bro. L. D. Spears thanks and appreciation for special good and nice work done in building our house, which carried by a unanimous rising vote. Bro. Spears made a proposition to the church to buy the paint and hard oil to complete the house and what he lacked collecting to pay for the same would wait until fall for the rest."

As was brought out in the minutes of the organizational meeting, Bro. W. A. Reagan, who pastored Central Baptist church was called to pastor the young church, which he agreed to do, and he served until October 1909. E. H. Cunningham, called in March 1910, left in October 1910.

J. L. Fields served January 1911 until October 1912, and during this time the Sunday School was organized, and it met each Sunday morning, with prayer meetings often held at night.

L. M. Sauls began his pastorate in 1913, was still shown as pastor in 1914, and was followed in the pulpit by L. A. Willingham.

G. C. Ivans was listed as pastor in 1918, F. M. Ferguson in 1921-1922 and C. L. Vermillion in 1928.

H. O. Malone was pastor of the church in 1929-1933, and when resigned he recommended the church call Bro. Carroll Chadwick, which was done in September, and he continued with the church in 1934.

O. L. Bryant was pastor in 1935-1936, V. G. Garrett in 1937, followed by C. H. Muxworthy in 1938.

M.L. Boland was pastor the next few years, and C. L. Smith came to the church in 1944-1946, during which time the church went to half- time work.

James E, Thompson, called in 1947, resigned in 1948, and about this time two Sunday School rooms were put into the back of the auditorium.

During the tenure of R. C. Pemberton, which lasted from August 1948 to November 1953, the church went to full time work, a butane system was installed, the Sunday school rooms were added to the building.

J. C. Howell was called as pastor in January 1954 and served until April 1957, followed by James A. Strickland, who stayed until September 1959. New church furniture was installed at this time.

Martin Spell served from December 1959 to September 1960; the church was painted and got new roof.

Don Stiles was pastor from December 1960 to March 1962. He was followed by Wayne Sage, who was ordained by the church in 1962.

The present pastor, Freddy Mason, has been at the church since January 1968. During this time the church auditorium has been repainted, air conditioners and new piano added, the windows replaced, floors carpeted, the porch and church sign added, the water and plumbing installed, cabinet built, Sunday School rooms repainted, and the outside wood covered by vinyl and metal trim.

Cedar Grove Baptist Church has been the starting point for many young pastors, and recognizes the importance of her role as counselor during this very crucial time of their careers

During the organizational meeting of the church, J. M. Born was elected as deacon, and although the minutes do not specifically say so, evidently L. D. Spears was installed. J. J. Bush was elected during the conference in August 1905.

No other earlier names are mentioned as deacons, however in later years Carl Marshall and M. B. Denton were serving as deacons, and were joined by General Marshall and Tracey Wedgeworth October 1, 1947.

C. B. Marshall and Charlie Hodges were ordained in November, 1950, then in 1976 the church was led to ordain Jim Lovil, H. H. Clinton, and Aubrey Wedgeworth. In 1979 the church received Mike Marshall as deacon by letter.

The young church was admitted to the Rusk County Association at the annual meeting at Mt. Enterprise in October 1905. Later the church was a part of the Panola county Association and when Rusk-Panola Association was formed in 1927, became a member of that association.

The membership roll reflects little change through the years, averaging about sixty-five members.

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