]Liberty Baptist Church, considered to be one of the first churches in the Liberty Community, will celebrate its 175th anniversary this year.

Looking back:

On Dec. 23, 1833, Kemper County was formed from the land acquired by the Choctaw Session. On Dec. 25, 1833, commissioners were appointed to organize Kemper County. During the years following 1840, the Federal Land Office began to grant property rights and deeds to early settlers in what later became the Liberty Community. Among the early settlers of this community were John Spinks, who came from North Carolina in 1835; the Coles; Lloyds and Barfields.

One of the first, if not the first, Baptist churches formed in the area was Blackwater Baptist Church, which was organized in 1840. By 1842 Blackwater had about 140 members and had outgrown its building. Many members traveled long distances to attend services. The congregation voted to establish new churches nearer the home of some of its members. The first of these was Liberty Baptist Church, located about five miles northwest from Blackwater. Liberty Baptist Church was called the “right arm” of Blackwater Baptist Church.

Those members who withdrew from Blackwater to form Liberty Baptist Church were: P.E. Spinks (licensed elder) and his wife, Elizabeth; J.E. Lloyd and his wife, Olive; Rev. Isaac White and his, wife Jennie; John Montague; Peter Montague; Thomas Gewin and his wife, Ruth Ellen; Phillip Newcomb; John Hays and his, wife Sara (first white convert at Blackwater); Jesse Strange and his wife, Margret; Julia Martin; Betty (black maid of Rev. Presley E. Spinks).

Moving forward:

Liberty Baptist Church continues to add on to the original church building. The most recent addition was a new 40-foot by 60-foot fellowship hall. The new hall is used for the many fellowships and gatherings the church has. The old fellowship hall has been turned into additional Sunday school rooms.

Future events:

Vacation Bible School – TBA.

Mothers and Fathers Day dinners.

Fifth Sunday night singing.

Revival.

Homecoming Aug. 13 – celebrating 175 years – Prior ministers will be guest speakers. There will be an open house tour of the building, some of its original shell – the hardwood floors in the church and Sunday school rooms are still the same narrow planks.

Also, a cemetery tour with storytellers dressed in period costume will be telling the history of Liberty Baptist Church through the voices of members buried there.

There will be a time capsule dedication, balloons released, and dinner on the ground (inside the new fellowship hall). At the dinner, there will be an 1842 dessert table with ole time favorites like fried apple pies and tea cakes.

Church Name: Liberty Baptist Church.

Founded: June 8, 1842.

Pastor: Lee Hartley – two years.

Denomination: Southern Baptist.

Members: 50.

Address: 6344 Highway 493, DeKalb, MS 39328.

Contact Info: James Bounds (601) 743-2627 or knightcats@yahoo.com

Service Times:

Sunday:

Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.

Morning Worship – 10:45 a.m.

Evening Worship – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting – 6:30 p.m.

Worship Site Profile is coordinated by Cheryl Owens and appears on Saturdays in The Meridian Star. Recommend your church to cowens@themeridianstar.com.