McKenzie Baptist Church - Butler Co., AL ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ALGenWeb File Manager - Lygia Dawkins Cutts ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun, 15 Nov 1998 01:02:15 EST McKenzie Baptist Church - Butler Co., AL The following is an excerpt from Rev. J. W. Joyner's book, A History of the Baptists in Butler County ( 1819-1957). Surnames have been capitolized for easier visualization. Mildred Stinson Brown Gatesville, Texas ------------------------------------ McKENZIE BAPTIST CHURCH It was in the year 1898 the A. & F. Railroad began operation in and through what is now the town of McKenzie. The fine pine tumber land near the town was a great asset, as well as the fine farming land after the timber was removed. As the little town grew, the progressive citizens built one of the best schools in the county, and the citizens of different faiths began to build church houses to accommodate their members. In the year 1903, the Missionary Baptist organized and began the erection of a church building. The church was organized wit heleven members, as follows: Mr. and Mrs. B. F. GRIFFIN, Mrs. Clark HUGGINS, Mr. and Mrs. Bob LEE, Mr. and Mrs. Luther SEARCY, Mr. and Mrs. Sid TILLERY, Mrs. S. D. MAJORS, and Mrs. Joe HUGGINS. The presbytery in charge of organizing this church was the Rev. Bill TOLLIVER, who at this time was pastor of the First Church of Greenville. He was assisted by the Rev. A. T. SIMS, who became the first pastor. Other pastors throught the years have been W. T. DAVIDSON, Calvin FORRESTOR, BRAZIL, CALLOWAY, COOK, SHEARS, NEW, GOUGH, HOGGAN, BAGGETT, THARP, PARISH, BENSON, CUMBIE, and the present pastor is L. E. PITTS. From this church, Johnny HIGDON felt the call of God to preach, was ordained, and at this time is pastor of the First Baptist Church in Butler, Alabama, in Choctaw County. Another to be ordained from this church was Ben TAYLOR, who is now serving the church in Red Level. This church, although small in numbers and surrounded by a number of different faiths, has a splendid Sunday School and Training Union. The church also owns a nice pastorium. The pastor serves this church two Sundays per month and the Bethel Church two Sundays per month.