Fayette in Jefferson County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Beginning of the First Baptist Church in Mississippi
In the Spring of 1780, several families of the Great Pee Dee River area near Charleston, S.C., loaded their possessions on pack-horses and set out for the far off "Natchez Country". Richard Curtis, Sr., was their leader.
At the Holston River in northeast Tennessee they spent the summer building three flat boats and raising a crop of corn. They traveled on the Holston, Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
In Tennessee, they were attacked by Cherokee Indians. All were massacred on the third boat except for one woman who was taken captive.
Those making the journey safely landed at the mouth of Cole's Creek about 20 miles above Natchez and settled eastward. The Baptists among the settlers, led by Richard Curtis, Jr., met in October 1791, at the home of Margaret Stampley and organized the first Baptist church in Mississippi.
Erected by Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 31° 39.393′ N, 91° 8.168′ W. Marker is in Fayette, Mississippi, in Jefferson County. 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. Baptist Churches Constituted After Territory Acquired By U.S.A. (a few steps from this marker); Organization of Baptist Churches in Mississippi (a few steps from this marker); Baptist Building (a few steps from this marker); The Baptist Record (a few steps from this marker); Richard Curtis, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Mississippi Baptist Health Systems, Inc. (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodville Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Conference Ministries (within shouting distance of 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 14, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2017.