Church celebrating 164 years

Though the Ebenezer Baptist Church has been a lighthouse to the Quitman community for over 163 years, it will celebrate its first homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 21 to celebrate its 164th anniversary.

Ebenezer (as recorded in the minutes of a sister church Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church) was established in 1860. Over those years, Ebenezer has seen some setbacks. Early church records were destroyed when the home of church clerk, Lon Cruce, was struck by lightning which caused his home to burn. Later, Wood County records of the church were destroyed in a courthouse fire.

The first Ebenezer church building was a small box-like log structure. The second church was a larger two-story structure.  Church members met on the first floor, and the Woodmen of the World held meetings on the second floor.

A tornado)that passed through Wood County, Oak Grove Community on April 19, 1919 destroyed the church.

The third building was built and it was a larger one-story structure with a hip roof. This building included multiple pane glass windows on all sides.  A double door entrance was added in the front, and various other doors were included. The rear part of the building was built with an angle area that projected in the center of the rear section for use by the church choir, piano and pulpit.

The seating in the church was wood-slat pews. There were three rows of pews in the front of the building for the congregation seating. Some shorter pews between the side doors and the back of the building were occupied during services by the “older” women who chose pews on the south, and “older” men sat on the pews on the north side. This was known as the “Amen” corner.

An elevated area at the back of the church was utilized by the choir, piano and pulpit.

A large wood-burning heater was erected between the pulpit and the pews where the congregation seats were placed. The pastors probably appreciated the heat in the winter.

Sunday school was held every Sunday morning, but church worship was held only one Saturday night, one Sunday morning and one Sunday night per month.

The auditorium area was divided by curtains hung from wires fastened to the ceiling for younger classes. Adults met in the choir area.

The first pastors on record were H.Y. Lively and W.M.D. Wood.

Ebenezer Church was represented in the Harmony Association Meeting at Liberty in 1872.

In those early days, pastors usually had other churches to oversee as well. When the pastor lived a distance away from the church where he was to preach, he would spend Saturday night with different church members and join them for lunch or dinner on Sunday.

Summer revivals usually lasted one or two weeks and included morning and evening services. Many of those services were filled, thereby prompting people to sit in open windows or stand outside.

Church lighting was powered by a dynamo and a series of auto-like batteries.

Long-winded preachers and church goers would sometimes sit in the dark while someone refueled and re-started the dynamo.

The sanctuary of the present church building is a pier and beam frame structure constructed from lumber of the third building.  One carpenter was hired as general contractor. Other labor was donated by men of the church and the community. This third building had three Sunday school rooms in the back which now houses the heating and cooling unit, the baptistry and storage area.

The building was bricked later on from the proceeds of an estate willed to the church.

Sometime during the 1980s, the fellowship hall with adjoining Sunday school rooms, restrooms and water fountain was added.

Prior to 1983, new believers were baptized in Bryan Cornelius’ pond on Hwy. 14 near the church. The baptistry was installed sometime after 1983.

The north-side edition was added during the 1990s. Bricks were added to the front of the sanctuary to more closely match the bricks on the fellowship hall which were used on the north-side addition.

On Nov. 5, 2005, and in celebration of the 145th anniversary, a dedication of the new metal roof was held. Speaker of ceremonies was Bro. Fred Morrow, and a covered dish luncheon was provided. Music was provided then by Heart ‘N Strings of Canton.

The metal roof was added after several composition shingle roofs had been done, and the church required repair of some roof leaks. The metal roof was paid for by individual, business donations and sister church donations.

Over the years, the church went from holding services one week a month during World War II to two weeks a month and then to full-time services. During those times, services evolved from Saturday night and Sunday to only Wednesday night and Sunday morning and evening services.

The church pastor is Brother Richard Goodwin who brings a lot of energy into reviving this wonderful and beautiful church for this Quitman community. Along with his wife, Veta, who has researched the church’s history and is authoring this article, they’re working to revive and update this church.  

A  Wednesday Bible Study and a Grief Support Class have been added. Plans include prayer breakfasts, fellowship lunches, Fifth Sunday Singings for the Wood County Baptist Association Church members, various special activities and programs and a revival.

Sunday School is at 10 a.m., worship services at 11 a.m. and Wednesday Bible Study at 6 p.m.

Homecoming events will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 21st, including special music, testimonials, worship message, door prizes and potluck lunch at 1430 North FM 14.