Sweet Home Baptist Church History

Old Sweet Home Baptist Church
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

In a humble way, the Sweet Home Baptist Church members began to shape their destiny by adhering to the great Biblical guidelines. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6.

They believed in God and with this belief the first Church was organized in the late 1880s. The name Sweet Home could have been chosen because the first meetings took place in a home located northeast of town, on the east side of Cook Creek. Mrs. Hazel Kinzy recalls here step-father, Mr. Willis Bates, talking about the church being held in Buck Town in a field.  The Church existed for years in this location. Some of the pioneer families are buried there. Although a majority of those pioneers could neither read or write, they were possessed with and innate intelligence by which they were able to carry on successfully. It was such a faith and devotion that brought them through those trying years of the reconstruction era.

The building also served as a school consisting of primary through fourth grade. Mrs. Ruby Hookfin and Mrs. Inez Hookfin recall having to cross Cool Creek to attend School in the frame building. Mrs. Emma Buckhalter was the only teachers.

Some of the casualties from the terrible train wreck of November 1903 were buried in the Sweet Home Baptist Church area. In 1904 Hon. William H. Scanlon came to Kentwood as head bookkeeper for the Brooks-Scalon Mill. He arranged a building to be erected, with the debt to be satisfied by deducting $1. 00 from each church members employed at the mill. After sometime, the mill owner decided this would take too long and declared the bill paid in full for the building only. 

Sweet Home Baptist Church Cemetery

As time moved on the church, as we know it today, was organized by Reverend Mose Barnard in June
1910. Reverend S. Howard served as pastor from 1911-1916. His deacons were Benjamin Hook and J. B. Williams. In the mid 1920s the building was m moved west across Cool Creek. Older members remember the men using six or eight horses to skid it across the creek which took approximately six to eight weeks. During the time the church was in transit regular services were still held. After the building was moved to the west side, it continued to serve a dual purpose-church and school. With grades five and six added.  The Church ceased to be used as a school in 1940. 

Other pastors who have served are: Bradley (1916-1921), Bolivar (1921-1926), B. Robertson (1926-1935), Tobias (1935-1951), John Thompson (1951) to present. Second and fourth Sundays were service days, with Sunday School  being conducted every Sunday.

Thanks to Ms. Della Mae Wilson, a cash deed int eh amount of thirty-five dollars was paid to the Estate of J. H. Ellis for one acres of land. Witnesses were: Aquila Sibley, T.G. Womack, James H. Brumfield, Mrs. Emily. E. Owens, Mrs. M.K. Ellis, and Herbert Broyles, Notary Public.

The original frame building was first improved with concrete blocks, then bricked under the leadership of Reverend John Thompson. Interior improvements have also been made. We have come from torches to the comfort of electricity, air conditioning, drinking water fountains, carpets and comfortable pews. The pastor and choir have been robed, new collection plates and communion set have been purchased.

Deaconess who served are: Hazel Kinzy,  Grace Andrews, Vetra Brumfield, Emily Ware, Emma Taylor, Katie Brumfield, Beatrice Brumfield, and Annie Mae Strickland. 

Deacons have been: V.O. Brumfield, I.V. Kinzy, Willie Joe Ferdinand, Paul Robertson, Leo Andrews, Conrad Wyre, Wallace Brumfield, Ike Strickland and Henry Mercelous. Founding Father and Board of Trustees: Betty Perkins, Della Roman and Willis Bates.  The Willing Workers Club composed of women who raised the money to move the church. The Women's Amite River Baptist Association had its birth at our church in the year 1948. Two members, the late Lois Marcellus and Fochia V. Wilson has served as president of this organization. Elmira Wilkerson was one the first musicians in later years. Others who have followed are: Fannie Ard, Amos Addison, Yvonne Brumfield, Jerry Marcellus, Rev. Crosan, Rev. Michael Williams, Fannie and Emma McClendon. 

Sweet Home Baptist Church Cornerstone
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Source: Reprint from an article written and submitted by Mrs. Fochia V. Wilson

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
Photo Courtesy: Randy Konzelman

St. Elizabeth Church is no longer in Kentwood. I remember when they were moving the old beautiful structure. It was said that they took it to Amite, Louisiana. I'm not sure, that was said. It use to be located at 404 Avenue C, Kentwood, LA. According to churcheslist.com, it was the only Catholic Church in Kentwood. 

The Home of Mary Kent Ellis

Piccolo, the Kentwood home of Mary Kent Ellis, who 100th birthday
was observed on January 1, 1969, and who is the same age as our parish.
Reprint from The Water Gardeners of Kentwood
Appendix B.
Historic Precedents

 

Orange Grove Church of God In Christ Church History

 

Orange Grove Church of God In Christ
Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Ellice Womack

In the years of Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen (1919), the first Church of God In Christ  in Kentwood was founded under he direction of the Holy Spirit by Evangelist and Sister Joshua Coleman and Elder Herbert Atkins. They conducted a revival and the Lord Move on the hearts of Sister Emma Carter, a past church mother and Emma Buckhalter, who once served as secretary, Emma Warren and Julia Fason who accepted Holiness at that time. 

Former pastors were Elder Soloman Baker, Seniors Lazard, who built and dedicated the fist Holy church here. Fred Cage and Dan Barnes. Others who served faithfully, Sister Malinda Bruce, Mattie Cook, Lula Carter, and Lela Hookfin, who served as deaconess and also church mother.  The oldest serving saints who served down through the years, Sisters Ellice Mae Buckhalter Womack, and Susie Marie Hookfin Gordon. Again, under the direction of the Holy Ghost, Elder Alonzo Richardson, Jr., and Sister Josephine Richardson were sent to be the humble servants here. 

The church has flourished under the dynamic leadership of Elder Richardson, and the leading of the Holy Ghost. In October 1970 this beautiful edifice was erected, and furnished with a piano and organ. This church at one time was called a she church. Since that time the membership has grown enormously. Five deacons were installed, Brother Charlie Womack, Brother Cain Wall, Brother Robert Ross, Brother Johnny McCray, Sr., and  Brother Sampson Dumans. Later Brother Theodore Dunn and Brother Jessie Brumfield were added to the board of deacons.

Three young men were called the ministry: Minister John Armstrong delivered his first sermon on March 12, 1978, Minister Jimmy Richardson, December 10, 1978, and Minister Robert Allen, January 14, 1979, and a missionary, Sister Barbara Jean Hookfin.

Two district meetings were held here, several auxiliary functions and vacation bible schools have been conducted. The first cornerstone in the history of the church was laid on April 26, 1981.  A bus was purchased September 21, 1981, which is used to transport person to Sunday School and church locally and to various meetings out of town.

An addition was made to the church on March of 1983. Other first time events were: purchasing and dedicating chores robes.  A back home worship service, recalling past services and records under the supervision of the Hookfin family. Last recording of this history, but by no means the least, a sacrificial feast for the saints, given by the pastor and his wife, Elder and Sister Richardson, with his family and friends assisting in the services.

Written and Submitted by Mrs. Ellice Womack