Russell Baptist Church was organized in 1902 by 13 concerned Christians. The little one-room frame church was lighted with Aladdin lamps, divided into four Sunday school rooms by curtains, and surrounded by buggies and T-model Fords.

In 1919, the little church was blown away by a tornado, then immediately rebuilt by determined Christians. Electricity was installed in 1928, but the water was still pumped from the antebellum home east of the church. Adversity struck again in 1929 when the two wood-burning stoves used for heat set the wood-shingled roof on fire. Fire damage was minimal and the little church continued.

In 1935, cotton was grown around the building to raise funds for improvements. A series of additions to the initial little church over the next several years brought new educational space and a Baptistry. The little church building was bricked in 1953.

RBC continued to grow and in 1961 began a full-time ministry. The church purchased 16 acres of land for future expansion. A parsonage was built in 1962. A new sanctuary was built and dedicated in 1965.

As attendance continued to increase, more classroom space was needed. The church responded by constructing new educational space and on May 18, 1975. A new educational building was dedicated to the ministry of the Lord. Floor to ceiling accordion room dividers were used to section off classrooms. When not in use for Sunday school, the dividers were retracted to create a large fellowship hall. A small kitchen was located in this educational/fellowship building.

The original “little church” building that had been bricked in 1953 was torn down in 1975 and space was used for much-needed parking. The cost of the new educational building and parking lot was approximately $80,000.

In 1979 the church began construction of an activities building. This building was dedicated to the glory of God in 1980 in memory of Glenn and Jerrod Hand. An additional educational building was constructed in 1990 with much of the work being done by church members. This building was used for Sunday school classes until May 2004, when it was turned into a classroom/ administrative building for Russell Christian Academy.

In 1993/94 the sanctuary (chapel) was remodeled and enlarged. This renovation connected the educational building/fellowship hall and the sanctuary. A new worship center was dedicated to the Lord in May 2004. This two-story facility provided space for weekly worship services as well as classroom space in one building for children, youth, and adults. At this same time, May 2004, the church voted to proceed with creating and opening a Christian academy at Russell Baptist Church. The first enrollment class began in August 2004.

Church Name: Russell Baptist Church.

Pastor: Steve Taylor – 8 years.

Denomination: Baptist.

Address: 1844 Hwy. 11/80, Meridian, MS. 39301.

Contact Info: Church Clerk, Ginger Tew, 601-482-3577.

Church Founded: 1902.

Members: 500.

Special upcoming events: Men’s prayer breakfast at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13; Christmas Cantata, at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17.

Service Times:

Sunday – 9 a.m. Sunday school, 10 a.m. morning worship, 6 p.m. evening worship.

Wednesday – 6:30 p.m. service.

Weekly programs: Women’s Bible Study 6 p.m. Thursday.

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