On Aug. 17 at 10 a.m., the historic Elm Grove Baptist Church, 3114 S. Mississippi St., will celebrate its 182nd Anniversary and Homecoming Celebration.
Elm Grove holds the distinction of being the first organized Black Baptist Church in Arkansas and west of the Mississippi River for enslaved Africans in Arkansas.
Thirty years before the establishment of Branch Normal College, AM&N, now known as UAPB, and two decades before President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the Elm Grove church was constructed by enslaved Africans.
In 1843, enslaved Africans from the Johnson Plantation in the Richland Township, Noble Lake, and Cottondale area were allowed to form a church. The church was named Elm Grove Baptist Church, inspired by the abundance of elm trees on the front lawn where it was to be built. Records from the 1860 Census in Jefferson County list Robt. Johnson owned 64 enslaved Africans in the Richland Township, Noble Lake Cottondale area.
The late Ora Foster-Roby and the late Arlease Walker recounted that two plantations, the Johnson and Couch Plantations, were divided by Highway 65 south. It is believed that enslaved Africans from the Couch Plantation also attended the church.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
After each revival, new converts were baptized in Noble Lake. When Elm Grove church moved to Pine Bluff, Taylor Lake, located southeast of the church, was used for baptizing new members.
Sister Idella Hunter, a dedicated member of Elm Grove, spearheaded a fundraising campaign to buy the church’s only bell by selling apples for five cents each on Sundays and throughout the week.
The church Bell was relocated in 1965 from Richland Township in the Noble Lake and Cottondale area to its present site where it sets upon a concrete slab as the oldest church bell. The iconic bell also tolls in the city and to commemorate community and national events. In 2020 it rang in memory of the late John R. Lewis, U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th District and a Civil Rights leader. It also rings to raise awareness and support for families of homicide victims, serving as a reminder of the need for Respect for Life and the cessation of senseless violence in the community.
The cornerstone of the church was laid in 1914, under the guidance of Pastor L. C. Culliver and church officers J.W. Watkins, C. Huggins, A. J. Jones, F. M. Mathew, S. Nelson, and C. Lee, and the Cornerstone remains with the church today as a piece of visual history. On Sunday, April 1, 1939, just after 3 p.m., a tornado devastated the Noble Lake Cottondale area, causing widespread destruction. The Elm Grove Baptist Church, situated directly in the storm’s path, succumbed to the high winds and collapsed. The Pine Bluff Daily Graphic Newspaper reported the tornado’s devastation on Wednesday, April 19, 1939. Under the leadership of Pastor Joe L. Frazier, the church’s deacons, and the community, Elm Grove was rebuilt, and worship services resumed.
Elm Grove also functioned as a public school for the Noble Lake and Cottondale area until 1947, as recorded by the Pine Bluff School District. It provided early education for many African American children. While white students attended a nearby school, the severe tornado damage led to black students temporarily attending the white school, and white students were bused to another school in Moscow. African American students were given a day off whenever the church held a funeral service. Every Friday afternoon, young men would rearrange chairs and benches in preparation for Sunday services. Sister Marie Franklin is the lone surviving church member and former student of the church and school. She is now 105 and resides in Pine Bluff.
In 1965, Elm Grove members relocated from Richland Township to 3114 S. Mississippi St. in Pine Bluff. In 1996, Sister Maxine Franklin-James bought the first sign for the historic church at its current location.
On Sept. 3, 1995, the church transitioned to full-time services under Pastor Jesse C. Turner’s leadership. In August 1999, Brother and Sister Henri Pote, friends of Pastor Turner, delivered an organ donated by Brother and Sister Mike Rose of Garland, Texas. In April 2014, Pastor Turner appointed Rev. Bobby E. Butler Sr. as the first assistant pastor.
The church’s former pastors include Pastor Holmes, Pastor Joe Dismon, Pastor Frank O’Bryant, Pastor L. C. Culliver, Pastor D. D. Dent, Pastor Mancy Ferguson, Pastor J. L. Frazier, Pastor J. L. Lawson, Pastor I. S. Bryant, and Pastor David D. Walker. Currently, Pastor Jesse C. Turner has led the church since 1994.
Elm Grove is a proud original member of the Consolidated Saint Marion Baptist District, Dr. Larry C. Battles, moderator.
Rev. Jesse Turner is Senior Pastor at Elm Grove Baptist Church.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Please include your name, phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry.