Verona Baptist Church - Blue Ridge
Princeton Herald, Nov 12, 1981
VERONA BAPTIST FINDS THAT IT'S OLDER THAN THOUGHT
The Verona Baptist Church's organization celebrated what was believed to be the church's 80th anniversary Sept. 27, but the historical committee has since learned that the church was actually organized in 1887 and is now in its 94th year.
And so the congregation is making plans to celebrate the Verona Baptist's 100th anniversary in just six more years.
The historical committee is continuing its work in the meantime.
Among the 170 persons who attended the recent special services and a noon meal were former members Mrs. Mignon Kirby of South Carolina, who traveled the longest distance to be present, and Mmes. Emma McTee of McKinney and Coy Reid of Pecan Gap, the earliest recorded former members of hand.
Also present were W. S. Spearman of Palestine, a former deacon, and the Rev. W. A. Brokes of Greenville, a former pastor. He delivered the afternoon message.
Others who attended included Alton Guin of Melissa and Dale Rushing of Commerce, former music directors; former pianists Mrs. Barbara Francis of McKinney, Mrs. Jane Scalf of Plano, Mrs. Brenda Lafon of Allen and Mrs. Johnnie Tignor of Van Alstyne, and these former members; Carlton Massey of Dilley, Mrs. J. A. Massey of Garland, Mrs. May Coate of Longview, Truman McTee of Oklahoma City, Mrs. Loma Lindsey of Clovis, N. M., Mrs. Melinda warden of Hurst, Mrs. Ova Love Stewart of Dallas, Mrs. Derelene Keys of Terrell, Mrs. Plesant Trotter of Fort Worth, Mrs. Audra Ballew of Grand Prairie, Bill Brockman of Dallas, Mrs. Carol Nolan of Sherman, Mrs. Sue White of Plano, Mrs. Charlsie Nix of Mesquite, and Nettie Brickman, Mamie Harben and Effie McIntire of Princeton.
The church was first known as the Missionary Baptist Church of Christ at Verona. It was located north of the Verona Cemetery on land purchased for five dollars from E. M. St. Clair in 1901.
Original church trustees were W. J. Calloway, J. S. Stewart and R. J. Smith, and some of the first members listed on the roll were Sarah King, Iola King, W. E. Stewart, Isaac Samples and Hattie Carmichael.
Among the early pastors were G. A. Dale, S. T. Atkins, Jim Simmons, W. J. Humphery, Boyd Young, J. M. Young and J. V. Hart. Also included were Bro. R. L. Johnson of Portland, Ore., and Bro. H. R. Smelser of Kansas City, Mo., who sent letters to be read to the congregation.
The church moved to its present location on Farm Road 1377 between Blue Ridge and Princeton in 1914. The present building was erected in 1961 while the Rev. J. C. Hanna of Farmersville was pastor. The parsonage was built in 1966 and the educational building was added in 1974. The church today is clear of any debt on its plant.
Some of the most recent pastors have been Mr. Hanna, Alan Tyson, F. A. Stephenson, E. P. Wooten, Don Hill, Ralph Simmons and Earl Darden.
The Rev. David Kirk is the current pastor and the deacon body includes John Boone, J. C. Womble, Leon McTee, Johnny McTee, Stewart Murrell, Claude Armstrong, Bill McTee, Charles Brockman and Weldon Preston. Mrs. Barbara McTee serves as pianist and John Bell III is music and youth director.
VERONA BAPTIST FINDS THAT IT'S OLDER THAN THOUGHT
The Verona Baptist Church's organization celebrated what was believed to be the church's 80th anniversary Sept. 27, but the historical committee has since learned that the church was actually organized in 1887 and is now in its 94th year.
And so the congregation is making plans to celebrate the Verona Baptist's 100th anniversary in just six more years.
The historical committee is continuing its work in the meantime.
Among the 170 persons who attended the recent special services and a noon meal were former members Mrs. Mignon Kirby of South Carolina, who traveled the longest distance to be present, and Mmes. Emma McTee of McKinney and Coy Reid of Pecan Gap, the earliest recorded former members of hand.
Also present were W. S. Spearman of Palestine, a former deacon, and the Rev. W. A. Brokes of Greenville, a former pastor. He delivered the afternoon message.
Others who attended included Alton Guin of Melissa and Dale Rushing of Commerce, former music directors; former pianists Mrs. Barbara Francis of McKinney, Mrs. Jane Scalf of Plano, Mrs. Brenda Lafon of Allen and Mrs. Johnnie Tignor of Van Alstyne, and these former members; Carlton Massey of Dilley, Mrs. J. A. Massey of Garland, Mrs. May Coate of Longview, Truman McTee of Oklahoma City, Mrs. Loma Lindsey of Clovis, N. M., Mrs. Melinda warden of Hurst, Mrs. Ova Love Stewart of Dallas, Mrs. Derelene Keys of Terrell, Mrs. Plesant Trotter of Fort Worth, Mrs. Audra Ballew of Grand Prairie, Bill Brockman of Dallas, Mrs. Carol Nolan of Sherman, Mrs. Sue White of Plano, Mrs. Charlsie Nix of Mesquite, and Nettie Brickman, Mamie Harben and Effie McIntire of Princeton.
The church was first known as the Missionary Baptist Church of Christ at Verona. It was located north of the Verona Cemetery on land purchased for five dollars from E. M. St. Clair in 1901.
Original church trustees were W. J. Calloway, J. S. Stewart and R. J. Smith, and some of the first members listed on the roll were Sarah King, Iola King, W. E. Stewart, Isaac Samples and Hattie Carmichael.
Among the early pastors were G. A. Dale, S. T. Atkins, Jim Simmons, W. J. Humphery, Boyd Young, J. M. Young and J. V. Hart. Also included were Bro. R. L. Johnson of Portland, Ore., and Bro. H. R. Smelser of Kansas City, Mo., who sent letters to be read to the congregation.
The church moved to its present location on Farm Road 1377 between Blue Ridge and Princeton in 1914. The present building was erected in 1961 while the Rev. J. C. Hanna of Farmersville was pastor. The parsonage was built in 1966 and the educational building was added in 1974. The church today is clear of any debt on its plant.
Some of the most recent pastors have been Mr. Hanna, Alan Tyson, F. A. Stephenson, E. P. Wooten, Don Hill, Ralph Simmons and Earl Darden.
The Rev. David Kirk is the current pastor and the deacon body includes John Boone, J. C. Womble, Leon McTee, Johnny McTee, Stewart Murrell, Claude Armstrong, Bill McTee, Charles Brockman and Weldon Preston. Mrs. Barbara McTee serves as pianist and John Bell III is music and youth director.
