MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 1st Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Perkins

House Resolution 14

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LOCUST GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ON THE 143RD YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING.

     WHEREAS, the congregation and pastor of Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church, which has the distinction of being the oldest African-American church in Greenwood, Mississippi, is celebrating the 143rd anniversary of this great and historical religious institution; and

     WHEREAS, Locust Grove M.B. Church, which has the noble distinction of being the oldest African-American church in Greenwood, Mississippi, as well as for never splitting its membership, was organized under the leadership of Reverend Pete Green in 1868; and

     WHEREAS, the original church site for Locust Grove was on Carrollton Avenue, which is now where Eastside Grocery is located, and at the time, the area only had woods and locust trees and as a result, the church was named Locust Grove; and

     WHEREAS, in 1926, the original church building was torn down and was rebuilt under the leadership of Reverend Payne, and during that time, the deacons were Charlie Warren, Issac Armstrong, Charlie Harris and John Smith, and the women of the missionary society were Sarah Armstrong, Beatrice Sykes Bell, Annie Bell Stanciel, Mary Ella Warren, Matthew Harvey and Ethel Brownlow; and

     WHEREAS, in 1950, under the leadership of Reverend A.B. Woods, a patient and wise man of God, Locust Grove was moved to its present location at 1209 Broad Street, a task that took over a year; and

     WHEREAS, on October 14, 1951, the pastor and members of Locust Grove officially entered the new church, and the old church was sold to Greenwood Church of God on May 21, 1951, for the cash amount of $3,500; and

     WHEREAS, on December 12, 1952, the members voted to have two regular day services on the second and fourth Sundays beginning  in January of 1953; and

     WHEREAS, Reverend Woods, who in addition to being the pastor of Locust Grove, was also the outstanding moderator for the Grenada District Association, and he was instrumental in bringing the late Reverend J.M. Kimble, who served as pastor of McKinney Chapel for several years, to Greenwood, Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, while under the leadership of Reverend Woods, the deacons of Locust Grove were as follows:  Issac Armstrong, C.B. Brownlow, David Wooden, Sr., Willie Holland, C.B. Blackmon, T.J. Granderson, Q.B. Shelton, Richard Stanciel and Henry Warren; and

     WHEREAS, also under the leadership of Reverend Woods the superintendents were C.B. Blackmon and Willie Holland, the blackboard demonstrators were Linberg Moore and Issac Armstrong and the director of the Baptist Training Union, which met every Sunday at 5:00 p.m., was also Issac Armstrong; and

     WHEREAS, after the passing of Reverend Woods, who was a devout and skillful leader of Locust Grove for many years, the Reverend G.H. Hankins of Hollandale, Mississippi, successfully led the church until February 14, 1965; and

     WHEREAS, on May 9, 1965, a zealous, vibrant and spirit-filled young man named Reverend R.L. Williams became pastor of Locust Grove, and under his leadership, the church purchased new pews and a new piano, and the church had live broadcasts every second and fourth Sundays, which enabled the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be shared through the airwaves; and

     WHEREAS, also under the leadership of Reverend Williams, the Childs and Williams Community Choir was organized at Locust Grove by Reverend Williams and Reverend Childs, which helped uplift the name of the Lord through song; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to meeting the spiritual needs of the church, in 1966 Locust Grove opened its doors to Friends of Children Head Start Association and approximately 100 children  received educational services, which demonstrated the church's true concern and love for the surrounding community and its precious youth; and

     WHEREAS, after making vast contributions at Locust Grove, Reverend Williams offered his resignation on January 12, 1970, and  on August 9, 1970, the Lord supplied a ram in the bush by providing Reverend M.C. Tardy of Sunflower, Mississippi, as the next capable pastor of the church; and

     WHEREAS, after over a decade of God-led service by Reverend Tardy, who was known for his humble and obedient spirit, the Lord called Reverend Tardy from labor to reward on November 12, 1982; and

     WHEREAS, in 1983, God provided yet another ram in the bush for Locust Grove when in February of 1983, Reverend M.B. Lewis, a young man from Schalter, Mississippi, became pastor of the church; and

     WHEREAS, under the leadership of Reverend Lewis, the membership of Locust Grove grew tremendously and there were several improvements made to the church, such as the installation of central air and heat, the covering of the pews, the purchasing of a van, new choir robes, a computer, a baby grand piano, the installation of ceiling fans and the addition of a fellowship hall to the church; and

     WHEREAS, in September of 2006, the present pastor of Locust Grove, Reverend William E. Morris, became the shepherd for the flock of Locust Grove, and he continues to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ while simultaneously and effectively meeting the spiritual needs of the congregation; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize a great and historical religious institution such as Locust Grove M.B. Church of Greenwood, Mississippi, whose vision and motto of "Unity-Harmony-Alliance-Cooperation-Collaboration- Faith in Jesus Christ" has not only positively influenced the church but also the surrounding community:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the diligence of the pastors and members of Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church upon the special occasion of the church's 143rd anniversary and extend best wishes for continued prosperity, spiritual growth and success.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Pastor William E. Morris of Locust Grove M.B. Church and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.