FIRST JOHN M. B. CHURCH

First John M.B. Church History

The First John Missionary Baptist Church was started in 1891, as a separate congregation, at its present location.  It was originally located northwest of the present Mississippi State University campus.  That congregation was divided into two congregations in 1891: one became the Ebenezer Church and the other became the First John Church.

From 1891 until the present time, eighteen (18) pastors have served at First John:

            Rev. Catine; Rev. Mose Neely; Rev. I.M. Mission;

            Rev. Hill; Rev. Turner; Rev. C.N. Island;

            Rev. Ned Harrison, who died before his term ended.

            Rev. Dudley Powers served the remainder of Rev. Harrison’s term.

 

In 1944, Rev. O.D. Bryant was elected and served twenty-eight years.  During his tenure, the church was bricked and some additions were made to the church. 

Following Rev. Bryant were: Rev. Fred Brown; Rev. Roosevelt Hurley; and, Rev. McDonald. 

During Rev. McDonald’s tenure, the trimmings on the church were first painted. 

Under Rev. Jimmy Ellis, the renovations and additions to the church were completed. 

Other pastors were Rev. Onzie Glen, Rev. Charles Bailey, and Rev. Lee R. Peeples, Jr.    During Rev. Peeples’ 24 year tenure, the current sanctuary was completed.     In 2016 Dr. Ronnie B. Tucker Sr. became the church’s pastor and in 2018 Thomas Boyd Jr, became the church’s 18th pastor and as of today continues to lead First John Missionary Baptist Church on it's mission to educate all believers in our Lord Jesus doctrine. 

 

Deacons past and present are:

Bro. Billy Butler; Robert Henderson; Frank Dockins;               

Ben Hudson; Cleveland J. Kennard; Arthur Austin;

Guss Page; Spence Spencer; John Williams; Ervin Smith;

Ike Leonard; Gene Montgomery; Robert Boyd;

Buck Gordon; George Leonard; Richard Townsend;

Hunter Smith; Jimmy Boyd; Clifton Boyd, Joe B. Leonard;

William Harris; Robert Ray Cannon; J.M. Burkes; Thomas Boyd, Sr.;

James Curtis Boyd; Thomas Boyd, Jr., and Shaun Higgins, Sr.

Church secretaries and clerks to serve are:

Guss Page; Howard Smith; George Leonard;

Buck Gordon; John J. McGee; Joe Leonard;

Cynthia Robinson; Barbara Boyd; Mary Ann Harris;

Mylinda Cannon; Alberta Boyd; Marcella K. Banks;

Pearlie Robinson; Shyann Bluitt; Phyllis Robinson; and Darnell Boyd.

 

The First convert to be baptized at the First John Missionary Baptist Church was the late Rev. Frank Ware in 1891.

The first Missionary Society president was the late Mrs. Caroline Montgomery.  Other Missionary presidents to serve are: Mrs. Willie Leonard; Mrs. Minnie Perry; Mrs. Rosebud Kemp; Mrs. Ollie Rose Leonard; Mrs. Alberta Boyd; Mrs. Amanda Townsend; Mrs. Shirley Boyd; Mrs. Mylinda Cannon; Mrs. Lois Young; and, Mrs. Lou Doris Gardner.

 

Ordained preachers from the First John’s congregation are: the late Rev. Frank Ware; the late Rev. Frank Dudley Powers; the late Rev. Ulysses Ware; the late Rev. Arthur R. Townsend; Rev. Dr. James A. Boyd; Rev. Jerry Boyd  and Rev Thomas Boyd Jr.