Through the untiring efforts of Rev. J. R. Hughes, the pastor of the Baptist Church of this place, sufficient funds for the erection of a magnificent church has been raised and the contract for the building of same will be let at an early date. The new church will be built opposite the McDonald chain of brick buildings.

From The Greenwood New Era, July 20, 1894

DEDICATION SERVICES

Next Sunday morning at 11 o'clock, our Baptist brethren will dedicate their new church on Howard Street. Rev. Mr. Sproles, of Jackson, will be here to conduct the services. A protracted meeting will begin at that handsome new church on the same day and last a week or more. Mr. Sproles will assist the pastor, Rev. J. R. Hughes, in conducting the meetings.

From The Greenwood Enterprise, April 12, 1895

OLD LANDMARK TO BE MOVED

We understand that the historic Baptist Church building located on Howard Street just south of the post office, which subsequent to its usefulness as a church edifice, was used for several years as a rooming house, will now be taken down and moved to another location, thus removing a dilapidated old building from one of the main thoroughfares of our city and making way for the modern brick buildings that are sure to follow in the near future.

From The Greenwood News, October 14, 1915

BAPTISTS WILL BUILD $35,000 CHURCH

$30,310.00 of the Amount Readily Subscribed Sunday

The members of the Baptist Church are deservedly jubilant over the splendid success with which their new church building movement met at the last Sunday morning service.

The time for the launching of this movement was unquestionably opportune-the magnificent sum of $30,310.00 being subscribed to the fund for building the new church within a very few minutes, regardless of the stringency in money matters. The remainder of the necessary amount of $35,000.00 will be easily secured.

It has not been definitely decided as to where the location of the new church will be, but several desirable sites are being considered by the congregation's committee.

The Commonwealth most heartily congratulates Pastor. S. E. Tull and the members of the Baptist Church upon the fact they now have everything in shape to begin the building of one of the handsomest places of worship in the city.

Work will begin on the new church early next spring, and when completed, Greenwood can boast of having four of the finest and prettiest church buildings in Mississippi.

From the Commonwealth, December 6, 1907

NEW BAPTIST CHURCH BUILDING LOCATION

Northeast Corner of West Washington and Henderson Streets Selected

The congregation of the Baptist Church selected a location last Sunday for their handsome new $35,000 house of worship.

This magnificent new structure will be erected on the vacant lots on the northeast corner of West Washington and Henderson Streets, and a more desirable location could hardly have been selected.

The work of adopting plans for the new church building will be proceeded with at once, and the contract for its erection will be awarded in time to begin construction of same early next spring.

From the Commonwealth, January 10, 1908

The pretty Baptist Church is nearing completion and is the pride of the state. So, soon as the library is erected on the lot donated by Dr. and Mrs. T. R. Henderson, this will be quite an improvement to Washington Avenue, already the prettiest residence street in Greenwood.

From the Commonwealth, May 6, 1910

BAPTIST CHURCH ANNEX FINISHED

The handsome annex to the First Baptist Church, which has been under process of construction for some months, will be occupied for the first time tomorrow morning for the meeting of the various Sunday School classes. A record breaking Sunday School attendance is expected for the opening of the new building, which will give to the First Baptist Church, a church plant second to none in the state.

The completion of the new annex marks the culmination of a long cherished dream of the First Baptist Church for a home for its Sunday School classes and for the various phases of work within the church.

The new building stands on the west side of the church edifice. It is two stories in height, fitted and designed especially for the work of the Sunday School and allied organizations of the church.

From The Greenwood Commonwealth, March 12, 1927

DEDICATE BIG CHURCH ANNEX

At the morning service of yesterday at the First Baptist Church, the $35,000.00 annex upon which work was completed April 1st, was dedicated with an appropriate sermon by the pastor, Dr. Edward J. Caswell.

Quite naturally, the founder and pastor of the first Baptist Church ever built in Greenwood, was present. Rev. J. R. Hughes, along with two other remaining members of that church, Mrs. T. R. Henderson and Mrs. Zilpha Garrard, added color to the occasion.

W. C. Williams, superintendent of the Sunday School, read the scripture yesterday. The dedicatory prayer was delivered by Rev. Hughes. The pastor had chosen for his text, “What mean ye by these stories?” and the huge throng present were moved by his explanation. W. M. Whittington, who for many years was superintendent of the Sunday School, pronounced the benediction. The handsome new annex, made necessary by the increasing membership of the Sunday School and Church, both inside and out is a handsome piece of workmanship and fits well with the main building, which was constructed back in 1908.

It was 33 years ago the first Baptist Church was built in Greenwood by Rev. J. R. Hughes. It was a small frame building put up on the lot next to where the Post Office now stands on Howard Street. Before the building was completed, services were held in the court house. Later, while Rev. S. E. Tull was pastor, plans for the main building were drawn up. The only members now surviving are the first pastor, Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Garrard.

From The Greenwood Commonwealth, May 2, 1927

Brief history of First Baptist Church.

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