continued....

This was done by staging a great revival early in 1925 which was conducted by Reverend A. M. Scott from Greenville, Mississippi. After this great revival Reverend A. M. Scott was elected to the pastorate of the church, which he accepted May, 1925.

 Reverend Scott served the church three years during which time the church saw much spiritual progress. His ability as an evangelist is shown by the fact that he added by letter and baptism approximately nine hundred members. At the end of Reverend Scott's service in 1928 the church split as some members left with him and organized Progressive Baptist Church now located on Vance Avenue which had been pastored by the late Reverend O. C. Collins. Reverend Scott later drowned in a fishing trip accident along with Reverend Williams who pastored Olivet Baptist Church at that time.

 Other leaders who followed Reverend Scott were, Reverend J. W. Jackson who served as pastor for one year (1929) and Reverend G. L. Greene who served as pastor for three (3) months in 1930. Then like wandering sheep, again the church went in prayer for another leader. Reverend Howard W. Perry was elected to the pastorate of the church the first Sunday in November, 1930. Under his leadership the church liquidated all of its previous debts and raised an accreditable amount for its building fund. Reverend Perry served as pastor for six years leaving in 1936. 

After prayerful consideration, Reverend M. C. Durham was duly elected to the pastorate of the church and began his administration November 1936. He was a great dreamer and worked hard to reach his goals. The church, realizing that God had sent him to lead His people, made every effort to meet the challenge. His motto was to build a "greater Mt. Vernon." From the great effort that was made by him, a new building was established at 547 Mississippi Boulevard in 1943. In spite of hard times and many leadership changes God had given this building as a sign of confirmation for His people to stay together as they continued to pray together.

After 12 years of administration by
Reverend M. C. Durham, Reverend G. F. Hammonds was elected to Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in 1948. During his short tenure the indebtedness, incurred as the result of the new building, was liquidated. During this year, the church was again in need for a leader because the church split again after a dispute between a deacon and Reverend Hammonds regarding building fund money.


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