Sarepta Baptist is located twelve miles due north of Meadville Mississippi in the heart of Franklin county. It has played a vital role in the history of the Mississippi Baptist denomination since 1810. The Church was originally organized in Jefferson County and moved to Franklin County in 1840.

Sarepta Baptist Church History

 “A Place of Refining”

Compiled by David Campbell and Paul Parker (in 1966)

INTRODUCTION

This history was compiled in July 1966 by David Campbell and Paul Parker.

The Church records cover a period from

1810 to 1966. During this 156 year the church has had more

than 50 pastor's and supply pastors.

A brother Cooper helped in the organization of the Church.

The Charter Members were:

Lawrence Scarborough

Agnes Scarborough

Mourning Scarborough

James Cook

Peter Hawthorn

Bro. Lawrence Scarborough served as the first pastor from 1810 to 1824.

SAREPTA CHURCH COVENANT

1       We covenant and agree to fill our seats in the church, and

not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

2       We agree to comply with and conform to all the ordinances

of the gospel upon all convenient opportunities.

3                   We agree to dedicate ourselves, and all we have to the

Lord, according as His word directs.

4       We agree to keep up the worship of God in our families,

and to bring up our children in the nurture, and admonition

of the Lord.

5       We promise to treat our servants with humanity and not

impose on them any thing cruel, or unmerciful. (note: this was

a time when some of the members owned slaves.)

6       We promise to watch over each other for good, and not for

evil, and not to suffer sin on a brother; but to reprove and

admonish him in the spirit of meekness.

7       We agree to bear each others burdens and so fulfill the

law of Christ: and not expose each others weakness, or infirmities.

8       We agree to keep the Secrets of the Church and not expose

any of then to the world. (The 8th article amended in the 420th

conference.)

9                  We agree that whenever we shall remove our residence out of the

bounds of the Church where we have our membership to apply for letters

of dismission.

             done the 23rd of September 1810.

Signed: Lawrence Scarborough, Agnes Scarborough, James Cook, Peter Hawthorn, and Mourning Scarborough.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The Christian brethren, whose names are here unto annexed, desirous to become a constituted church that they Day better promote the honor of God; and enjoy the privileges of the Gospel do unanimously adopt the following summary of doctrine, and discipline, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1       We believe in, one only and true God, who made all things and by whom all things exist. That there is three persons in the Godhead; The Father; the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in essence power and glory.

2       We believe in God the Son, who by a previous engagement, assul1ed human nature: magnified the divine Law; and brought in an everlasting Righteousness.

3       We believe in God the Holy Ghost whoso' office it is to quicken, enlighten, and sanctify the soul.

4       We believe in the total depravity of human nature; the imputation of Adam’s sin to his posterity, and their entire inability to recover themselves through human aid.

5       We believe the eternal election of a definite number of Adams Race to grace and glory: effectual calling by the Spirit of God: and their final perseverance in grace, unto eternal glory.

6 We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God, and the only rule of faith, and practice. "

7       We believe that Baptism and the Lord's supper are Gospel ordinances, and ought to be observed until the end of the world; and that immersion is the proper mode; and believers the only subjects.

8       We believe that good works are the fruits of Faith and follow after justification and are evidences of a gracious state.

9       We believe in the resurrection of the dead and a general judgment and that the happiness of the righteous and the torment of the wicked, shall be eternal.

DISCIPLINE OF SAREPTA CHURCH

1       Conference shall be opened by singing and prayer.

2       The members shall take their seats in a Church capacity.

3       Then the Church shall choose a moderator.

4       The moderator shall invite brethren of sister Churches to sit with us if in good standing.     .

5       The moderator to call on the clerk to bring forward references.

6       Only one person to speak at a time who shall rise from their seats and not be interrupted while speaking except they leave the subject and then reproved by the moderator.

7       They that speak shall strictly attend to the subject.

8       No member shall leave their seats in time of conference without leave of the moderator.

9       No person shall speak more than three times.

10     There shall be no laughing or whispering

PASTORS

1810-1824 Lawrence Scarborough      Pastor

1824-1825 J. Burch                                 Supply

1825-1829 Bainbridge                            Supply

1826-1829 J. Fairchild                            Supply

1829-1839 J. Fairchild                             Pastor                          

1839-1843 Thomas Spraggins               Supply

1843-1847 Jesse Young                         Supply

1847-1848 Jesse Young                         Pastor

1848-1850 Wilson Clark                          Supply

1850-1851 Moses Seals                          Supply

1851-1852 Moses Seals                          Pastor

1852-1855 E. McCaa                               Pastor

1855-1860 William East                          Pastor

1860-1862 Henry Thompson                 Pastor

1862-1865 Andy Lum                              Pastor

1865-1869 Charles Gordon                    Pastor

1869-1871 J. Newman                           Pastor

1871-1872 No Pastor

1872-1879 A. Trevilian                           Pastor

1879-1882 Samuel Morris                      Pastor

1882-1884 T. P. Stewart                        Supply

1884-1886 T. P. Stewart                        Pastor

1886-1888 W. J. Weatherly                   Pastor

1888-1890 T. M. Ellerbe                         Pastor

1890-1892 W. J. Weatherley                 Pastor

1892-1894 J. M. Stroud                          Pastor

1894-1895 G. W. Farmer                        Pastor

1895-1899 W. J. Weatherley                 Pastor

1899-1900 G. W. Farmer                        Pastor

1900-1904 W. J. Weatherley                 Pastor

1904-1907 G. W. Farmer                        Pastor

1907-1911 J. A. Chapman                      Pastor

1911-1915 W. E. Delaney                       Pastor

1915-1916 J. R. Mullins                           Pastor

1916-1919 W. E. Delaney                       Pastor

1919-1922 T. Y. Polk                              Pastor

1922-1923 R. E. Weeks                          Pastor

1923-1930 C. W. Smith                           Pastor

1930-1933 E. H. Dearman                      Pastor

1933-1936 N. B. Saucier                         Pastor

1936-1939 P. Porter                               Pastor

1939-1943 Thomas Phiffer                    Pastor

1943-1944 N. W. Carpenter                  Pastor

1944-1946 N. W. Carpenter Jr.             Pastor

1946-1946 James Drane                        Pastor

1946-1949 P. Porter                               Pastor

1949-1951 Donald Curry                        Pastor

1951-1953 P. Davis                                 Pastor

1953-1955 B. T. Bishop Jr.                     Pastor

1955-1962 Billy Cooper                          Pastor

1962-1964 Odus Jackson                       Pastor

1964-1965 Bobby Lee                             Co-Pastor

1965-1966 James Spencer                    Pastor

1966-      Paul Parker                              Pastor

HISTORY

Sarepta Baptist Church was organized on the 23rd day of Sept­ember 1810. The church was organized by brother Cooper, Lawrence Scarborough, Agnes Scarborough, Mourning Scarborough, James Cook ­and Peter Hawthorn. Lawrence Scarborough became the first pastor. The Brother Cooper mentioned appears to have been called in to help in the organization since he isn't mentioned after that.

The first church service was held on Saturday before the fourth Lord's day in October 1810. In March 1811 the church received it's first members outside of those that help organize the Church. Members were asked for twenty five cents to handle expenses in 1811.

          The first record of a slave entering the church was in 1813. Judy, a black woman, was received by experience. The sermon had been from the 53rd chapter of Isaiah. The church received slaves as members until 1865. In 1861, the clerk was authorized to remove the names of Negro members who go to the Yankees.

In the church's early days and until the early 1900's, members were excluded for various acts. They were excluded for non-attend­ance, dancing, stealing, drinking too much spirited liquor, using profane language, joining the Methodist Society, non-payment of debts, breaking the Church covenant, following heretic doctrine and unchristian conduct. Members had to appear before the church to defend their membership when accused of a wrong. Some accused their own selves and asked for mercy.

When the church was organized it was located in Jefferson County. The property was first located on land in control of Mr. Malachi Hagan. In 1818 he agreed to give it to the church as soon as he obtained rights from the government. He evidently did not receive these rights because when the church moved in 1844 it was moved from land owned by Daniel McPherson. In 1840 the church voted to move to Franklin County. Church met in a house owned by a member for a while. In 1844 the members met in Sextans old field to determine a site for the church. It was decided to loca­te it on the ridge between Clement Stewart place on Goodson Branch and Sextans old field. The old church building was to be moved.

In the late part of1845, the church was moved to a site formerly owned by H. Baldwin. This is the present site of the church build­ing. A new building was constructed here. This building was replaced by a new church in 1891. The present building was built in 1948. The benches now in the church were placed there in 1951. The building was bricked in 1961. In 1958 the Priest house was bought and moved to the church to be used as Sunday School rooms. This building was torn down later and replaced in 1965 by six new Sunday School rooms. The pastorium was built during the pastorate of Bro. B. T. Bishop, Jr.

Two important steps in the history of the church were women’s rights and the organization of a regular Sunday School. The Sunday School was organized in 1903. Women were given the same rights as men in 1837.

Sarepta withdrew from the Union Association in 1839 and joined again in 1844. They withdrew because the association was trying to rule rather than advise. This association is the forerunner of our present Baptist Association. It was organized in 1820.

The first record of Sarepta holding an all day service and dinner on the ground was on the fourth Lord’s day in July 1895. The July meeting could have come from the fact that the church voted to move to Franklin County in July 1840.

The 100^th anniversary was celebrated with preaching by Rev. T. M. Ellerbe.  Bro. Ellerbe had served as pastor of the church 1888-1890.  His message was, “Sarepta Church 100 years, Past and Present”. The evening services were conducted by W. J. Weatherley also a former pastor.       His message was "The Law of Increase”.

The 150th anniversary was celebrated with preaching by Rev. N. W. Carpenter at the morning service and Rev. Gordon Sansing bringing the afternoon message. There was a crowd of around 500 present. The church was honored with a cake weighing 140 pounds with 150 candles in red. The cake was also decorated in red.

The occasion of the 156 Anniversary was held on the 24th of July 1966. Rev. Archie Ezell brought the morning message with the pastor Rev. Paul Parker preaching in the afternoon.

DEACONS REPORT 1888

Contributed to Foreign Missions                      $1.00

Contributed to State Missions                            4.05

Total                                                                    $5.05

Association records

Pastor support for the year:

20 bushels of corn                                             $20.00

50 bundles of fodder                                              .50

10 gallons of molasses                                          5.00

Cash                                                                     25.15

Total to Rev. W. J. Weatherly                         $50.65

Please visit the Sarepta Baptist Church Website

one of the oldest in the county!

Sarepta Cemetery

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