OUR HISTORY

 

This history is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Florziel Jefferson, and Lady Julia Jefferson, and all deceased members of that first congregation whom God led to this place and blessed with his ministry.  Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the leadership Rev. Florziel Jefferson, and a need for another church in the area, a group of determined people met to discuss the possibility of organizing a church in the community. Those families who asked for their letter of membership from Pleasant Grove M.B. Church were as follows: 

 

*Rev. Florziel Jefferson, *Julia Jefferson, Sandra Jefferson, Kenneth Jefferson, Charles Jefferson, Calvin Jefferson, Wayne Jefferson, Patrick Jefferson, Pamela Jefferson, Elaine Jefferson, Patricia Jefferson Grady, Dorothy Magee, *Florziel Jefferson, Jr. Robert Jefferson, Deborah J. Bloom, *Charlene Richardson, Emily Richardson, Connie Richardson, Jacqueline Richardson*, Joyce Westbrook Harried, *Annette Patterson, John W. Patterson, Samuel Patterson, Ernest Patterson, Dora D. Patterson, Dennis Patterson, Ricky Patterson, Janice Patterson Smith, Alan Patterson, *Shirley Alexander, *Lee Ethel Dobbs, Robert Dobbs, *Jerry Ard, *Frank Martin, Hilda Standberry, Darrell Johnson, Kenneth Jefferson, Jr., Chauncey B. Wells, Kelvin Wells, Francis Wells Johnson, Calvin Brumfield, Wallace Brumfield, *Larry Brumfield, *George Brumfield, *Altha Lee Williams, Prophetess Irma Brumfield, Patrick Brumfield, Ledell Brumfield, Ricky Brumfield, Lora Brumfield,* B. F. Reaves,* Larcenia Jackson, *Walter Jackson, Otis Jackson,*Delorise Jackson, *Leslie Jackson, Douglas Jackson, Ronnie K. Jackson, Cecil Jackson, James P. Williams, Nurcile Williams, Rita Williams, Zelatra Williams, *Wanda Reaves, *Peggy Ard, *Freddie Ard, Ruth Brumfield, *Emma Hall, *Annie Martin,* A.B. Martin,*Dwight Martin, Bruce Martin, *Earlene Martin, Allen Barnes, Beverly Richardson, Kendrick Johnson, Michelle Magee, Kevin Magee, Janice Williams, Charles Williams, Jr, Lucy Tobias, Dennis Tobias, Denise Tobias, Charles Williams, Sr.,*Hulanda Williams, Thomas Richardson. *27 are deceased.

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On July 23, 1981, 2.3 acres of land was purchased from the Rev. Leroy Smith located on what is now known as Fernwood Road, McComb, MS. At one of its many organizational business meetings, it was suggested by Bro. James P. Williams that the church be named East Fernwood.   After meeting with the Mississippi Baptist Association, Rev. A. Holmes, Moderator, East Fernwood was instructed to continue on as East Fernwood Mission until fully organized. On May 9, 1981, 38 years ago, under the council of Rev. A. Holmes, Rev. Fred P. Scott, Rev. James Varnado, Rev. Leon Moore and Rev. Luther McEwen, East Fernwood Missionary Baptist Church was fully organized with Rev. Florziel Jefferson as Pastor and later, Rev. James Earl Hall was added as Assistant Pastor. Members met in the Fernwood Lodge Hall from 1981 until a new facility was completed in 1983.  Pastor Jefferson set aside Bro. Allan Patterson, Bro. Samuel Patterson, Bro. John W. Patterson and Bro. Dennis Tobias as trial deacons. ;  Sis. Shirley Alexander was elected as the Church Recording Secretary. Upon the passing of Sis. Alexander on April 16, 2009, Sister Dorothy Williams was elected to replace her. Our first officers included: Church Clerk –Sis. Frances Wells Johnson; Assistant Clerk – Sis. Joyce Westbrook Harried; Treasurer – Bro. B. F. Reaves; Finance Secretary - Sis. Hilda Standberry, who still holds that position today.

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Bro. B.F. Reaves was elected as Sunday School Superintendent and Bro. Charles Wesley as Assistant Superintendent. Sis. Lucy B. Tobias was elected as Financial Secretary, Sis. Patricia Grady her Assistant.Sis. Stella Standberry was appointed Youth Department Director. First Lady Julia Jefferson, Adult Choir, as president, she and the Church choir would be out sometimes, five nights per week singing at revivals and various musicals with other churches throughout the county and neighboring counties; Sis. Sandra Jefferson, Youth Choir President, Sis. Charlene Richardson, Usher Board President. Pastor Jefferson served as the Adult Sunday School teacher and Bible Class Teacher on Wednesday nights.

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A new facility was erected in 1983 and a dedication service was held. The Rev. Nolan Taylor, building contractor, was guest speaker. The Martin Luther King Mass Choir was special musical guest. Ten years later, On April 25, 1993 a mortgage burning ceremony was held in commemoration of the final payment on the church loan being made. Rev. Van Swanigan was elected Assistant Pastor and was elected as pastor upon the retirement of Pastor Jefferson due to health issues. During his tenure as Pastor, East Fernwood was renovated to the current state of our now Youth Sanctuary. God has always been in the plan in the growth and development of East Fernwood Missionary Baptist Church and it has grown throughout the years. There have been many ups and downs but we learned to endure.  Many left for various reasons but others came and there were those faithful ones who remained.