Here is a short History of Belle Prairie Missionary Baptist Church located in Belle Prairie City, which is just up the road from cherry grove cemetery. My great great-great-great-great grandparents, James and Pernecia Rawls, were charter members here in 1866. The church is scheduled to close this coming January.

Kyle Shoultz

Belle Prairie Missionary Baptist Church

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Belle Prairie Missionary Baptist Church

A 140^th Anniversary Celebration

Sept. 17, 2006

Deacons of Belle Prairie Baptist Church have been: Clay Kennedy;

Oliver Rose; George Hays; Alf Simpson; George Millenbine; and Dave

Osborn.

Much of the Information on Belle Prairie Church and Belle Prairie City

was burned In a fire at the home of Bessie Claunch.

The United Baptist Church of Belle Prairie later called Belle Prairie Missionary Baptist Church was built in 1866. The ground It sat on was not sold to the church until 1870 by James A. Mauldlng and Sarah J. Maulding for $40.00. The deed was drawn up between John Simpson, Kinith Rawls and William Warfield. They later purchased the ground south of the Church, known as the grove, for $100.00. This also was purchased from Sarah J. Maulding and James A. Maulding In the year 1894

It’s said in the early years, probably the late 1800's or early 1900's membership was high. During Revivals people would stand outside by open windows to hear the singing and preaching. Around 1940, a piano was donated to the church by the Rawls family. We are told that still have the same piano today.

There have been many happy times at Belle Prairie Church and also many changes. The old Kerosene stove was replaced with a gas furnace. The walls were paneled and the windows were dressed up with amber plexiglass. We also got a new podium around 1974.

The Church experienced growth in the 1970's and felt the need for a new addition of classrooms, fellowship hall, bathrooms and kitchen. Later In 1990's the old part of the church got a new roof and siding. Around 2002 or 2003, new windows were put in the old part of the church.

Belle Prairie Church has seen many great Revivals and lots of Spiritual experiences. There have been many young preachers start their ministry here. It's sad to see the decline in membership in these little country churches and ours is one of them. Attendance on Sunday averages from 4 to 10, but Jesus said "for where two or three are gathered tether in my name, there am I in the midst of them".

PASTORS OF BELLE PRAIRIE CHURCH

1866-1872 Not Listed

1873 J. L. Overstreet

1874-1875 K. G. Hays

1876-1877-1878 J. L. Overstreet

1879 J. B. Smith

1884 Seth W. Derick

1886 William Lowry

1887 B. D. Esmon
1889 H. P. Cravens
1896-1899 D. L. Elliot
1898-1900-1901-1902-1903-1904 J.H.Voliva (7 Years)

W. A, Weigant

J.H.Voliva

1907 C.C.Allen
1908-1909 Cal Richardson
1911 O. A. Barnwell
1912-1921 Minutes did not list Pastors for 11 Years
1922-1923 Lafe Perry
1924-1925 Ed Kieger
1928-1929 Birchal Page

1930-1931 -1932 W. M. Gloyd

1936 Everett Apgar

1938-1939 Hulbert Perry

1940 H. F. Menke

1942 Birchel Page

1943-1945-1946 Hulbert Perry

1948 F. Lloyd Trotter

1949 Hulbert Perry
1951 Orval Overturf
1962 Minor Butler
1953-1954 Russell Monroe
1957-1958 Carroll Phillips
1961-1962 Jim Fitzgerells
1983-1966 J. H. Carr

1967-1977 Harold May berry (11 Years)

1978-1979 Vemard Ile

1980-1985 Donald Williamson (6 Years)

1986-1987 Richard Huston

1988-1989 Bill Hampton

1990-1992 Donald Williamson (3 Years)

1993-1998 Alan Monroe (6 Years)

2000 Scott Webb

2001 -2006 Donald Williamson (6 Years)
Present Pastor, Brother Donald Williamson -15 Years of Service