HISTORY OF THE
MAGNOLIA BAPTIST CHURCH

1876-2006

“The Magnolia Baptist Church was organized in 1876, with the late Reverend Thomas Lewis serving as Pastor.  Among the founders of the church are those who served as the first Board of Deacons.  They were George Betz, Tommie Dickson, Guy Hilliard, John Stevens, Sam Barnes, Henry Harris, and Mark Richardson.

The Church was originally located on the old William’s Place, at the corner of Highland Road and a farm road, known today as Parker Drive.  Following the death of Reverend Lewis, the Reverend Douglas Young was elected Pastor.  Around 1920, Reverend Young died and the Reverend C. Lundy was chosen to serve as Minister.  He soon became ill and was forced to give up the charge.

In 1922, the late Reverend Fred C. Matthews, Sr. was elected Pastor, thus becoming the fourth (4th) pastor of Magnolia.  During Reverend Matthews’ administration, the first charter was prepared and filed with the Clerk of Court.  In 1923, the first Board of Trustees was established and an official seal was purchased for the church.

After a series of moves, the church with Brother George Betz interceding as an individual purchased two lots, which are our present site.  Between 1932-1933, another church house was built using old and new lumber for the construction.  In 1946, the building was rolled to the back lot and the new building was erected on the East Buchanan Street lot.  On February 19, 1948, Reverend Matthews passed at his family home on West McKinley Street.

The late Reverend Eddie Perkins, who was assisting Reverend Matthews prior to his passing, was elected as the fifth (5th) pastor of Magnolia.  He led the church on to further growth. Reverend Perkins became ill and died on May 25, 1974.

The late Reverend Charlie J. Smith, who was Reverend Perkins’ Associate Minister during his illness, was elected the sixth (6th) pastor of Magnolia on June 30, 1974, after Reverend Perkins death.  Under his administration, the church proposed and carried out the vision of constructing an educational/all-purpose building.  Also, the church became debt free.  Reverend Smith was called from his labor to reward on July 15, 1994.

On the passing of Reverend Smith, the chairman of the Deacon Ministry, Brother Melvin Sambo, Sr., who was in charge along with the other Deacons voted for Reverend Robert Al Smith to serve as the Interim Pastor.  In December of 1994, a pulpit committee of eighteen members was selected from various auxiliaries of the church.  After many prayers and guidance from the Holy Spirit, on April 8, 1995, Reverend Roger Craig Williams was elected as the seventh (7th) pastor of Magnolia.  He contributed to the further growth of the church in his three and one-half years with us.  In November of 1998, he received an opportunity to broaden his ministry and learning in the State of New York, and therefore resigned as pastor of Magnolia.  From December 1998, to the end of November 1999, once again, Reverend Robert Al Smith was appointed as Interim Pastor.  A pulpit committee was assigned to begin the search for Magnolia’s eighth pastor.  We also lost the presence of our Deacon Ministry Chairman, Brother Melvin Sambo through death. Brother Charles L. Jones, Sr., who had so faithfully worked along with Brother Sambo, stepped in as Deacon Chairman.

On Saturday, December 4, 1999, God’s anointed man, Joseph Bertell Davis, Sr., was elected as the eighth (8th) pastor of Magnolia.  On Sunday, December 5, 1999, he stepped up to the pulpit as shepherd for the Lord’s Supper Worship Service.  Pastor Davis was officially installed and ordained by the Fourth District Missionary Baptist Association and East Baton Rouge Parish Ministers’ Conference on Sunday, December 19, 1999, at a 5:00 p.m. service held at Magnolia Baptist Church.

Pastor Davis believes that every member is important to the Body of Christ.  He wants us to work together in serving the Lord; to love and encourage one another – and through our efforts for maintaining a caring and compassionate Christian Fellowship, it will serve to entice others to come to God, through Jesus Christ.

As the years have passed, two of Pastor Davis’ faithful workers were called “Home” to be with the Lord, Sarah Jones and the Reverend Robert Al Smith.  They will be truly missed by the Magnolia Church Family.

During our 130 years, Magnolia has had six Deacon Chairman in the following order: Brother George Betz, Brother Ernest V. Bashful, Brother Harrison Minor, Brother Aaron Jones, and Brother Melvin Sambo, Sr.

Brother Charles L. Jones, Sr. is Chairman of the Deacon Ministry.  He is faithfully continuing to do the will of God.

In addition, we have had eight Mothers of the Church in the following order: Sister Melinda Barnes, Sister Anna Reed Betz, Sister Susie Richardson, Sister Rosetta Hartson, Sister Dora D. Williams, Sister Annie Betz Jefferson, Sister Mary McCauley, and Sister Sarah Jones.

Sister Ethel Mae Brown, a loving and caring servant is the present Mother of Magnolia Baptist Church.

The Magnolia Church Family has always believed that God has a divine plan for us in this community.  Our eighth (8th) pastor Reverend J. Bertell Davis, Sr., is a lover of people.  He has a desire to preach the Word, so that all may know that can be saved by the Blood of the Crucified Lamb and live an earthly life pleasing to God.

God has truly blessed us through Pastor Davis to initiate more “Outreach Programs” promoting Spiritual and Meaningful Activities; and by Magnolia Baptist Church becoming that “Beacon of Light” in the South Baton Rouge Community leading the way to “Eternal Life” in Jesus Christ.

SUBMITTED BY: Magnolia Baptist Church