Woodville Baptist Church
First Organized and Still Active Church
On the first Saturday of October 1798, William Thompson, Richard Curtis, Jr. and Joseph Willis met with families on Bayou Sara Creek, four miles southwest of Woodville, and organized a church under the arm of Salem Baptist Church known as the Baptist Church of Buffalo.
In 1800 the church assumed its independence from the Salem Church and was called Bethel Baptist Church. During the early 1800's the church was inactive for several years.
The brick church building, which was built in 1809, is the oldest church building in Mississippi. After the town of Woodville was organized in 1811, the church building was moved to town. The building was condemned in 1896 so the congregation met elsewhere until major renovations were made in 1914.
The church prevailed during the nineteenth century: two church trustees served as Governors of Mississippi --- George Poindexter from 1820-1822 and Abram M. Scott, from 1832-1833. Bethel's pastor from 1823-1826, David Cooper was elected as president of the first Mississippi Baptist State Convention in 1824
The Civil War left the church unable to secure a preacher for every service of worship. However, on September 14, 1870, the church overcame persistent obstacles, began regular services again, dropped Bethel from its name, and became known as Woodville Baptist Church.
Erected by
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 31° 39.402′ N, 91° 8.153′ W. Marker is in Fayette, Mississippi, in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 61, one mile south of Stampley Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fayette MS 39069, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ebenezer Baptist Church (here, next to this marker); Richard Curtis, Jr. (here, next to this marker); Mississippi College (a few steps from this marker); Organization of Baptist Churches in Mississippi (a few steps from this marker); Blue Mountain College (a few steps from this marker); Baptist Churches Constituted After Territory Acquired By U.S.A. (a few steps from this marker); Conference Ministries (a few steps from this marker); Mississippi Baptist Health Systems, Inc. (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayette.
More about this marker. Located in the Mississippi Baptist Beginnings roadside display.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 19, 2017.
