HISTORY - ST JAMES BAPTIST CHURCH, Smith County, TX ***************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Claude Terrell - cwt8@earthlink.net 23 February 2001 ***************************************************************** ST. JAMES HISTORY IN HIGHLIGHT St. James had its humble beginning in a Brush Arbor on Jackson St in 1912 by some member of Jackson Spripg Hill Baptist Church undergirded by faith in God. Their prayers of Faith resulted in the formation of St James, which was previously listed as "Colored Church" For more than Seventy-four years our Church has and does now stand as a Sentinel pointing men, women, boys and girls to God. Rev. C. C. Buford as called as the first pastor of this congegation. The first Deacons were Bro. J. H. W. (Henry) Jackson, Bro Mitchell Jackson, and Bro. Milton Clark some of the members were Sis. Sarah S. Burford, Sis. Mollie Jackson, Sis. Alice Jackson, Sis. Arline Buford, Bro. Will Sapp, Sis. Nellie Sapp, Bro. Bennie Lucky, Sis. Rosie Lucky, The McKinney Family, and many others. Our second pastor was Rev. C. M. Butler, followed by Rev. Calvin Smith who served as pastor for thirteen years. In 1931, Rev. E. 0. Sweet was called and served our congregation along with Sis. Sweet, for forty- seven loyal and devoted years. During those years of Rev. Sweet's pastorage the achievements of our Church were just too numerous to list. Many outstandiug accomplishments were achieved and still exist. Among them was the ourreach in the community. The Church was regularly visited by those in need and we could be counted on to help. During and after Rev. Sweet was Dean of Theology at Butler College many young men aspiriug to become ministers gained experience by preaching and serving at our Church. Under this administration the Sunday School was expanded into twelve or more classes and departmentalized with superintends over each of the four departments working under the General Superintendant. The Vacation Bible School was initiated and was utiized also by, area churches. In 1963 the St James Church was selected as the Church of the Year by East Texas Baptist Association. Three additional choirs, namely Junior, Young Adult and Male Chorus were added to the roster. A nursery was begun which grew and served us well. The financial strucure was reorganized with the auxiliaries reporting to a central staff with monthly reports prepared for the congregation. The Church's young peeple were encouraged and developed in many ways. The Second Sunday in every month was set as "Young People's Day." On this day they were in charge. Also, in this regard, a Junior Usher Board was organized. A Boy Scout Unit and a Basketball team were organized in order to give the youth of the Church other avenues of development. Adddionally, our graduates of the various educational institutions were always remeinbered with "something extra" and this policy is still being practiced today. Through the illness of the pastor, Church and the Associate Ministers, Reverands A. P. Rettig and David Flemons moved on about its work of service. Two Churches were constructed during this administration, the first with groundbreaking in 1948, was destroyed by fire in 1972. He led us in the rebuilding of our present building though in ill health, with the help of God and able assistance of our dedicated men serving as designer and builders and the fellowship of our congregation. Rev Sweet retired in 1978 after forty~eight years of "faithful service". In February 1979, the congregation called Rev. Bobby G. Land, Sr. He and Sister Land have two sons, Reverends Bobby G. Land, and Michael Land Pastor and Sister Land have seven grandchidren. The Lord has always blessed St James spiritually and financially and coninues to do so under the outsandmg leadership of Pastor Land. God has given him the abiltty to teach, lead, pastor, and Evangilze. During the past eight years he has taken in 174 members and there have been ten rededications. We now have ine excess Of 500 members. We have four sons in the ministry. He has a genuine concern for all the members and has a special concern for our Senior Citizens and Youth. Under his administration our financial and spiritual growth has been tremendous. New Auxiliaries and committees have been added, makng it possible for ALL members to have active participation in our Church if they desire. We now have an active Deaconess Staff, Trustee Staff, Brotherhood has been reactivated with an active Boy's Work, the boys have traveled to the Biblical Art Museum in Dallas, Oil Museum in Kilgore. We have an active Youth Department. The Youth of our Church are allowed to display their talents. On various programs, designed to enhance their spiritual growth. They are involved in recreational outings also, traveling to Le Tourneau College, Kilgore and Six Flags, as well as other outings. We have a Christian Education Director, Director of Recreation, Kitchen Hostesses, and a Posting clerk, with the reorganization of the Junior Choir we now have two youth choirs. St. James Angels, joining Church through 5th grade and the Youth Choir, 6th grade through 12th grade. We have a Mass Choir and a General Program Committee. All of these persons have and are working faithfully with the Church in their fields of labor. Auxilary Annual Days and other Special Days have increased. We have a Senior Citizen's Day, Men's Day. For two years we had a Men's Day Banquet, Homecoming, Church Family Picnic, Senior Choir Annual, Male Chorus and Inspirational Choir Combined Annual, Youth Choir Annual, Ushers Annusl, Three Night Pre-Revival Prayer Services, and a Thanksgiving Prayer Services. We've had a Youth Revival. The Deaconesses and Trustee Wives have had Annuals, we have Deacon's Study, Minister's Study, and we have a New Convert's class. We continue to remember our sick and shut-in with monetary gifts through out the year and at Christmas. Cheer Baskets are distributed at Christmas to our sick and shut-in of the Church and the Community and to all members who would like one. A scholarship fund has been established for our graduating high school seniors after they have entered College in the amount of $150.00 each. We have awarded 16 scholarships since 1984. The awarding of awards and certificates to the members of our Church in appreciation Of their various cortributions to the church, has been instituted and we have installed Brass Pew Plates in memory of our deceased members. Improvements have been made such as, the enlargement of the Pastor's study, new kitchen utensils, an electric steam table has been installed, folding tables, additional nursery supplies, Bibles, Song Books, Map Sets for Sunday School, offering plates, new utiiforms for the youth ushers, additional choir robes and uniforms for the Youth Choir have also been purchased. All wooden exterior doors have been replaced with metal exterior doors. In 1982 we purchased a lot just east of the Church in the amount of $9,000.00 and was paid off within the year and second lot adjoining the first lot was purchased at a cost of $12,000. We now have 5 lots 250' x 176' (All 5 lots are in a tax exempt package), the property, has been converted into a 100' x 176' asphalt parking lot with rock retainer wall, total cost of parking lot project was $25,000.00 and the latest office equipment has been purchased. The list is endless. We are encouraged to grow both spiritually and physically. In efforts to keep abreast of the latest, Pastor Land is constantly attending meetings, including the State and National Baptist Convention, the Congress and the Association and is actively involved serving as a Certified Lecturer for the Texas Baptist Laymen's and Usher's & Nurses' Convention. He is the past President of the Minister's Conference and 2nd Vice-Moderator of the East Texas Baptist Associaiton, has served on the board of C.A.P. Inc., a Smith County Commissioner's appointment and has served as a City Councilmen. So you can see he is involved in our Church as well as in the Community, and through out the State and National. Information acquired from this involvement in the many facets of religious and community activities is brought back and imparted to our congregation, thereby enhancing continuous growth of our Church. We hosted the 43rd Annual Session of the East Texas Baptist Congress in 1981, the East Texas Baptist Association in 1984 also. We have just completed an 18 week Bible Study in Psalms under the auspices of the East Texas Baptist Congress of Christian Education. The 15 year note on the Church was liquidated in 16 months saving the Church $16,000.00 in interest. The note was burned on October 5, 1980. The Church is now valued in excess of $400,000.00. In addition to the two original accounts the Regular Accounts and Building Fund, we now have a Interest Bearing Checking account also. From 1982 to 1984 we had two $5,000 CD's which brought in $3,725.17 in interest. Pastor Land has led us in bringing over $450,118.00 over the past eight years. It is with out any doubt, that under Pastor Land's divine leadership and guidance, our growth has been tremendous in all respects. We have taken wings like Eagles as described in Isaiah 40:31. We will continue to wait upon the LORD AND PRAY that he will keep us close together as a congregation and lift us up to higher heights, to a mountain high, where the Eagles fly. In the fall of 1980 the Rev. Donald Flinn was elected to serve as pastor of St. James. His pastorate continued until the fall of 1993. Rev. Flinn reorganized the membership into various ministries to facilitate both inreach and outreach growth. The administration of church affairs were also redesigned and streamlined. After Rev. Flinn's resignation our Present Pastor Rev. D. C. Brown by an unanimous decision was called after having pastored twenty years at the New Canaan Baptist Church of Whitehouse, Texas. Rev. Brown preached the first sermon as pastor on Sunday, November 7, 1993 coming to us a pastor and Moderator of the East Texas Baptist Association and is married to Sis. Julia Brown. In the past seven years our membership has grown, member participation in the church and community has grown. Annual days for all auxiliaries, Revival and Church anniversary reorganized. Pastor Brown initiated Friday night "come as you are" service. Our youth ministry has expanded, they have weekly Bible study taught by Pastor Brown. They have attended National Congresses on both the East and West coast and have performed in the deep south winning trophies in Drill team competition and Bible Drill competition on a District, State and National level. We have 28 deacons to serve the St. James family. The Deacon staff upon Pastor Brown arrival are Deacons: George Taylor Robert Sparks Columbus Allen John D. Henderson Lewis Fluellen, Sr. James Young Lonell Mosley Samuel Williams Earl Howard Our Newest Deacons are: Ricky Jones Henry Lewis Avery Daniel II Marcellus Beavers Jimmy Leach Charles Dews Darell Flowers Dec. Steven Lawson Glen Johnson Larry Toler, Sr. Charle Jackson Herbert Washington Jessie Street Our former deacons who are deceased are: Ray Reed Avery Daniels Sr. Marvis Hood E. W. McCormick Lovie Fry Grady Stevenson Other former deacons who have moved their memberships are: Lelon Whitaker Billy Bartee Leroy Davis Carl Isabell Bennie W. Isabell Jessie Rider Luther Mosley Reginald William H Miller Our Deaconess play an important role in service of the church. The deaconess staff upon the arrival of Pastor Brown Sisters: Christine Reed Hester Sparks Elvie Williams Bennie Henderson Annie Hood Loutisha Davis Margaret Johnson Zula Taylor Josephine Fluellen Laura Roberson Catherine Daniels Our newest Deaconess Sisters: Kathaline Johnson Annette Daniels Myra Leach Linda Dews Betty Street Shwana Flowers Sandra Toler Monique Lawson (now a minister's wife) Carolyn Howard Rev. Sis. Juanita Washington Lakeitha Jones These are those who have moved their membership: Henry Dews (Pastor's wife) Annie Mosley Linda Isabell Sherian Isabell Veretta Rider Irma Miller Martha Whitaber Joyce Bartee Gussie Jackson Faye Williams The Deaconess that arenow deceased Nora Brown Lois Isabel Maudell Allen Ardalia Johnson Lillie Young Lora Mosley Mollie Jackson Mary Jackson Havanna Rider Helen Bell Alberta Jackson Fay Irwin Callie Jackson Marie Jackson Della Tatum Elease Francis Sudie Williams Vivian Sparks Fannie Miller Sarah Johnson Katie Pruitt Beatrice Stevens A. E. Johnson. Pastor Brown also has 22 Sons and Daughters in the Ministry: Rev. Sis. Julia Brown Rev. Sis. Juanita Washington Rev. Jason Gossett Rev. Keith Johnson Rev. John Bowie Rev. Lloyd James Rev. O. C. Dews Rev. David Taylor Rev. Clifton Mosely Rev. Delbert Simpson, Sr. Rev. Rickey Moore Rev. G. Henry Lewis Rev. Eugene Ross Rev. Tony McMillian Rev. Lewis Scales Rev. Johnny Ellis Rev. Clyde Chilton Rev. Cedric Sharp Rev. Tim Mason Rev. Grover Malone Rev. Steve Lawson Rev. Cortez Williams Under the Pastorage of Rev. Browns' leadership our church has purchased a new roof, tithing box, PA system, furniture for the pastors study, new carpet, pews reupholstered, three computers, two fifteen passenger vans, a new steeple, new choir seats, and exterior painting of the church. Also a new five ton air conditioner to add to our comfort. Also through the vision of our pastor we have purchased two acres of land (across the street from the church) for the future site of a Family Life and Recreational Center. Plans for the future includes a Tutorial Facility Space and Elderly Care Services. Rev. Brown has established a church's budget and lead the church to bring in over $800,000 in the last seven years. We thank God for the divine origin of our Church, for the leadership of our Pastors and their Wives, for the followship of our brothers and sisters. Plans for the future seems solidly in line with what the mission statement of the new testaments says the church should be, with God as our master, his word as our guide and Pastor Brown as our leader, we expect to do a mighty work, in the building of Gods kingdom down here on earth and the expectation of his kingdom that is yet to come.