“We are so thankful for those who have gone before us. You think about 150 years. You think about the Howells and the Whitfields, the Northcutts and all of the families that were there in the beginning. And then you think about all the families that have come through since. You think about the sacrifices that were made. You think about the giving and the serving. None of this would be possible without the families or the men and women who have come before us. We are very, very thankful for them,” Greens Creek Baptist Pastor Ben McCleery said, opening the 150th celebration of the church Sunday, April 19.
“But God ordained this church,” he continued. “God established this church 150 years ago on the front porch of Mrs. Howell’s. It has been God that has sustained this church for 150 years. The people have been faithful, have served and been committed, but it is God who has provided, sustained and used this church to reach people for Jesus Christ. He is the one who has done this, and He is the one who will continue to do this.”
The service included testimony and history by Dwaine Howell, a descendant of Mrs. Narcissus V. Howell who owned the home where the very first meeting of Greens Creek Baptist Church occurred April 16, 1876 on her front porch.
Dwaine is the great-greatgreat- grandson of Narcissus and highlighted years of family involved in Greens Creek Baptist Church.
“I’m not so arrogant as to think that this church has lasted as long as it has because of one family’s lineage. That’s just one little tree limb in a big, big tree,” he said. “This church has lasted the test of time, I truly believe, because of all the wonderful, spirit filled families that have filled these pews from generations to generations,” he said.
Psalm 78:4 was a scripture incorporated into the service: “We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s praiseworthy acts, about His strength and the amazing thing He has done.”
Dwaine discussed the sacrifices of the founding families, even starting with the 800-mile trip from Alabama via wagons.
Calculating wagon speed, the trip would have taken at least three months, and Narcissus did so with her seven children after her husband was killed in the civil war. She made the journey with several other families to the area, after purchasing land.
Dwaine shared memories of mission trips, playing volleyball and Vacation Bible School.
Nora Thackerson Carter also shared history of her mom Irene DeBusk enjoying Sunday school classes inside the main room of the church and making a profession of faith at the age of 7.
“What she remembers most and enjoyed was the Sunday school, and the morning worship services,” she said.
Carter said her siblings and herself were Baptized in the church.
“What I remember most is the summers. We moved all of the pews under the Tabernacle because without air conditioning it was much cooler under there than it was in the building,” she said.
Carter recalled both members from Greens Creek Baptist and Greens Creek Methodist both going to each other’s services and events.
Generations of the Thackerson family came to the front to sing ‘My Mothers Bible’ and ‘Just a Little Talk With Jesus.’
Kaye Pittman Tolson, who is the great-great-great-greatgranddaughter of Narcissus V. Howell, shared that Narcissus would be blown away with the history of the church.
“To know that she started such a church for people to be saved and that God led her to do that on her porch,” she said during lunch. “She would be amazed.”
Tolson also spoke during the church service and shared parts of her family’s history.
“I was the very first one to be baptized in that baptistry in 1971,” Tolson recalled. “My aunt Wanda painted that picture that is still there today.”
Both her mom and dad were a big part of the music of the church.
During the service, Tolson sang a song written by her dad Wayne Pittman for the 100th celebration, but updated for the 150th celebration. She also sang ‘The Family Bible’ along with a prerecorded version of her dad singing the song since he has since passed away.
Mark Jones, accompanied by his wife, Barbara, were recognized with a certificate of appreciation during the service. Mark was born in the church more than 80 years ago. They have been long-time attendees, and help in myriad ways including cleaning the church for 40 years.
The service was concluded with a congregational hymn of ‘Shall We Gather At The River’ and closing remarks by former Greens Creek Baptist Pastor David Blagg.
The 150th anniversary committee includes Barbara Jones, Dana Herod, Dwaine Howell, Nora Carter and Randy Sharp.
The church’s service was concluded with lunch and a special reception including a time for those visiting to share memories.
“Just think our moms used to sit in here,” said Mike Orr before the service, who is the descendent of a founding family and was visiting from New Mexico.
“It just helps bring back beautiful memories and all of the things they did for us,” Mark Fine, who is also descendent of a founding family.