When Mississippi was only 25 years old, Liberty Baptist Church was formed. Especially because of the time period, it seemed most appropriate that the name of Liberty was chosen for the new church, which was founded by a fledgling, God-fearing membership, located deep in Kemper County.

It was a warm day in June 1842 when the courageous congregation first met under large oak trees located near the already-in-use cemetery.  I can see, in my mind’s eye, the members arriving in wagons loaded with tools and with children and old folks alike, plus baskets filled with biscuits, fried apple pies and ham hocks to sustain them as they began the building process.  

In old photos made in front of the original church, many children are seen. The girls are dressed in identical patterned dresses and the boys in white shirts and dark pants. Perhaps this is the reason the little church has survived for 175 long, hard-working years. It was the dedication and perseverance of long-serving servants of all ages who worked for the Lord. He has blessed it in a mighty way.

Today, one may also walk the same boards as those did in 1842 and see the original lapboard walls located inside the church as well. Also, the current church body has collected memorabilia of that time period to display throughout the building. Included are portraits of some of those buried in the cemetery, books and documents from church history, items of interest from the time period, plus favorite mementos as well.

On Aug. 13, the church will celebrate and praise God for this longtime legacy of serving the Lord. Many blessings have poured down upon this little beacon of light located alongside the road.

The day’s schedule is as follows:

9 a.m. Cemetery Tour.

9:45 a.m. Meet and Greet.

10 a.m. Church Building Tour & Slide Show.

10:30 a.m Choir/Congregational Singing with open Forum Microphone.

11 a.m. Welcome & Announcements and Opening Prayer.

11:10 a.m Recognition of Guests and Presentation of Proclamation.

11:15 a.m Offertory Hymn & Offering.

11:15 -11:50 Comments from former pastors.

11:50- noon Message from Liberty Baptist Pastor Dennis Robinson.

Noon – 1:30  Lunch.

1:30- 1:35 Dedication of Time Capsule.

1:35 — 1:45 Release of 175 balloons.

2 p.m. Dismissal.

Of special interest is the cemetery tour. The following notation was made in 1992.

A study of the tombstones reveals that the first burial was Sarah A. Spinks who was born Aug. 4, 1834 and died Feb. 14, 1837.  There were no more burials until 1852. During that year there were five. One grave of much interest is that of Polly Paris who was born in May 1776 and died Nov. 22, 1872 at the age of 96. She was the mother of John E. Lloyd, one of the founders of Liberty Baptist Church.

Now let us discuss the lunch that will be served on Aug. 13, yeah. Note: Put aside the special diet and low calories, just on the 13th because, well, southern cooking is not known for those dull things but rather for mouth-watering, soothing soul food. Here are a few dishes to expect: Jack Davis’s fried fish and hush puppies, Kathy Bounds tiered cakes, Tootsie Bounds chicken & dumplings, Betty Davis’s puddings and pies, Janelle Key’s pound cakes and chicken & dressing, Sue Easterling’s lemonade pie plus fresh veggies straight from the garden and enough sweet tea to satisfy the most outrageously thirsty among us.

Everyone is invited. 

What: Liberty Baptist Church 175th Anniversary Celebration.

Where: 6344 Highway 493, Kemper County (across from coal plant).

When: Sunday, Aug. 13, 9 am.-2 p.m.

For more info: James & Kathy Bounds, 601-743-2627 or Jack & Betty Davis, 601-681-9182.

Anne McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Artist Roster. See her website:  www.annemckeestoryteller.com.