Chapter Thirty-One

Marion County Churches

by Mrs. Bernice Johnson

Baptist Churches

Pyatt Baptist Church

Page 491-492

By Jim Sullivan

The Baptist Church of Pyatt (Landmark Missionary Baptist) was organized in May 1907. The 146 members met at New Prospect or Sugar Orchard. The name of this church was New Prospect #1. The Pyatt Branch was New Prospect #2 or Landmark Missionary Baptist Church and was organized in 1940. This group started with 29 members and met in the Pyatt Community Building until 1961. (This information was given by Carter and Clara Bright, long-time members.)

Bro. Dale Barnett, while he was Associational Missionary in 1961, tells us that he conducted a daily Vacation Bible School and revival meeting in the community building with the help of 3 summer missionaries, Twenty people were saved and eight of them were baptized the following Sunday morning of the revival. Bro. Barnett and Bro. Dick Hurst preached quite often during the next few months and this was the beginning of the Southern Baptist work in Pyatt. According to the records, the church, called in conference by Bro. Barnett and Bro. Hurst in July 1961, discussed the organization of a new Southern Baptist Church and voted unanimously to grant a transfer of membership from New Prospect #2 into the new Southern Baptist Church for those desiring to join. At this time, the name was changed to Pyatt Baptist Church.

Some history from the church records tell us that before the church was established, a Landmark Baptist Church was holding services in the community building. Bro. Dick Hurst was pastor in 1960 and there were nine additions to the church: namely, Juanita McCaleb, Steve McCaleb, Pamela McCaleb, Boris Miller, Neta Henry, Donnie Henry, Berry Ann Melton, Louis Melton and Ruby Akins. Mrs. Akins joined by letter; the others were by baptism.

In 1961 the Landmark Baptist Church held a revival and 25 members were added to the church by baptism-Johnnie Mae Melton, Johnny Melton, Billie Mae Melton, JimSullivan, Bernice Sullivan, Sara Lou Sullivan, Carl Allen, Mary Sue Allen, Connie Lou Allen, Claude Melton, Ruth Mellon, Evelyn Stanley, Lois Ann Stanley, James Stanley, L. D. Milum, Wakely Milum, 0. D. Stonecipher, Wilma Stonecipher, L. D. Allen, Gordon Stanley, Billy Akins, Berry Melton, Mrs. Berry Melton, Mary Ann Melton and Tommy Melton.

On August 6, 1961, the Pyatt Baptist Church was organized. A Council was formed by the following: John Finn, Troy Melton, Shaw Griffin, Glen Hicks, C. E. McDonald, Otha McCracken, Howard King, Roy Dunn, Dale Barnett, Harold Elmore, E. B. Risley, J. C. White, Clifton R. Morris, Waldon Heath, Ralph Hawkins, Bill J. Hodges, L. G. Clem, Miles Lonon, Earl Vanzandt, Dutch Raugh, Roland Coplen, E. G. Gregery and Everett Wheeler. Bro. Finn served as Moderator until Bro. Barnett was elected Moderator.

The Council unanimously voted to recognize this Church as a regularly constituted Baptist Church and recommended it to our sister churches and to the White River Baptist Association. Bro. Dick Hurst was called at this date as pastor and there were 49 charter members. These were: L D. Allen, Gayle Allen, Carl Allen, Maxine Allen, Mary Sue Allen, Connie Lue Allen, Billy Akins, Ruby Akins, Carter Bright, Clara Bright, Earl Burns, Nancy Burns, Sylvester Cheek, Verna Cheek, Anita Henry, Dónnie Henry, Claude Melton, Ruth Melton, Johnny W. Melton, Louis Melton, Johnnie Mae Melton, Billie Mae Melton, Betty Ann Melton, Berry Melton, Johnnie Faye Melton, Mary Ann Melton, Tommie Melton, L. D. Milum, Wakely Milum, Doris Miller, Linda Melton, Euna Melton, Iva Patton, Gordon Stanley, Evelyn Stanley, James Stanley, Lois Ann Stanley, 0. D. Stonecipher, Wilma Stonecipher, Jim Sullivan, Bernice Sullivan, Sara Lou Sullivan, Ella Mae Tilton, Mary Chaney, J. H. (Dick) Hurst, Una Tilley, Bertha Casey, Pam McCaleb and Bobby Lee Tilley.

Bro. Hurst was pastor from August 1961 until August 1962. Bro. Carl Huddleston took the pastorate from 1962 until 1964, during the erecting of the church building. Bro. Leon Burlsworth served as pastor from November 1964 until May 1965; Bro. Carl Huddleston was re-called and served until August 1968. Bro. Bert Willingham served from March 1969 until May 1971; Bro. James McBee from 1971 to date.

On September 24, 1961, a Building Committee was elected: namely, Carl Allen, L. D. Allen, Johnnie Melton, Sylvester Cheek, and Jim Sullivan. On December 3, 1962, the church voted to purchase land from Berry and Johnnie Faye Melton, work was begun on the building in the spring of 1963, and services were held in this new building in November1963.

The Pyatt Baptist Church, as of October 1, 1972, had a total of 95 members, 79 resident and 16 non-resident members. Worship services are held regularly in a new, debt-free building that is fully equipped and furnished. In 1975 the report to the White River Baptist Association was as follows:

Total membership 104

Total receipts for year $11,595.00

Value of Church property $25,000.00