Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Meansville celebrated its 156th anniversary with special services held Sunday, Sept. 27.
Established in 1870 as an offshoot of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, the congregation originally gathered in a wooden structure in downtown Meansville. Early pastors were Rev. Collier, Rev. Leeks, Rev. Fuller, Rev. Palm, Rev. Bald, Rev. Rucker, Rev. A.M. Reeves, Rev. C.C. Balls and Rev. W. Whatley.
They spread the gospel, baptized new believers, performed marriages and ordained deacons.
When local merchants sought the downtown property to open a store, Pastor Bobby Lee Barrett and church officials made the wise move to trade the property for the church’s present location on Hwy. 109 about a mile outside of town.
Rev. Alfred Davis pastored the church for 40 years and presided over the move to the new brick sanctuary in 1977.
The highlight of the anniversary service was the presence of Mother Hattie Colquitt King. At age 100, she is the church’s oldest member.
PHOTO: Celebrating the 156th anniversary of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Meansville Sept. 27 were (l-r) Shunda Clemons, granddaughter of Hattie King; church pastor Rev. Kelvin Owens; Hattie King, the church’s oldest member; Veronica Evans; and Rev. Owens’ wife Andrea Owens.
