A Sesquicentennial Celebration

A Sesquicentennial Celebration. , In April of 1861 eleven former slaves, including the founders Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Bennett, met and formed what is now known as Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church. , Worship services were held outside under a “bush arbor” until January 1870 when the Second Street property, former site of the Pringle Adams Activity Building was purchased. After several years of outdoor worship and in members’ homes when the weather was bad, the members along with friends built a wood structure. , The first pastor, Rev. W. F. Quarterman was called in 1872. He is responsible for laying the foundation from which our church has grown over the past 150 years. , In 1940 the wood structure was bricked and later enlarged with Sunday school classrooms, a kitchen and dining area, an office, restrooms, and storage areas. , In April of 1983 a groundbreaking ceremony for the present sanctuary was held, and the structure was dedicated at its completion in 1984. , Another groundbreaking was held in April of 2011 for a new fellowship hall. The new structure includes offices, Sunday school classrooms, an auditorium, and kitchen and dining facilities. The completion of this addition brought to life our congregation’s hopes and dreams of "Phase II" which was planned when the present sanctuary was built in 1983. , This marker stands as a tribute to our founders and fore parents. We are eternally grateful to them for their foresight, dedication, the sacrifices they made, and for all their hard work in paving the way for us. Without their faith in God and a vision none of these milestones could have been accomplished. , , WE THANK GOD FOR ALL HIS WONDROUS BLESSINGS, .