Our Story of Faith
Our Roots
In 1920, Nannie Davis Coffey started a Sunday school class for children in the community. Church services were held later in the old log schoolhouse, which was located approximately where the parsonage sits today. “Uncle” Marsh Wright was one of the early preachers. Another was “Uncle” Tom Cooper, father of Wilbert Cooper and grandfather of Sudie and Bunny Cooper. After the “new” one-room school was built, services were held there about once a month and later more often. The Board of Education allowed us to hold services in the school building.
In 1936, Rev. Delmore Cooper and Worlie Hall held a revival in the schoolhouse. Several people were saved, including Ivan Hinton and his wife, Letha. After they were baptized Ivan started a weekly prayer meeting. Local ministers held Sunday services until the early 1940’s. In May 1943, Ivan Hinton was called to the ministry and began to pastor the church. People began to get saved; the church, because of its growth, started to make plans for a church building. The building was completed and dedicated in July 1947. Rev. Bill Moore preached the first revival in the new building and helped to get the church established at Johnson.
The first Board of Trustees was selected. They were R.M. Nickell, Sam Litton Sr., B.C. Litton, and Elbert Moore, Secretary. Land on which the church building stands was donated by R. M. Nickell.
Land for the building of the parsonage was donated by Amy Stinson (Mr. Nickell’s sister). The church bought the school property in 1966. Lumber from the schoolhouse was used in the parsonage. The multipurpose (Lovely Center) building was built in 1986. Renovations were completed in 2001.
Groundbreaking for the current sanctuary was held in May 1994, and the building was completed and dedicated in August 1995.
