The Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church of Statesboro, Georgia, was organized on March 18, 1914. The pioneers of this Church journeyed from the Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church of Louisville, Georgia, in search of a better life for their families.  Magnolia of Louisville was organized on May 17, 1868, after the Civil War but before the ratification of the 14th Amendment, which extended liberties and rights granted by the Bill of Rights to formerly enslaved people. 

 

The pioneers met at the home of Brother West Givens and included the following members: Rev. E. O. Burke, Deacon John Hill, Deacon Henry Rivers, Brother R. S. Givens, Brother N. S. Gamble, and Brother Bill Gamble.  Rev. Burke served as Chairman.  The first service was under a bush harbor, about a mile from the present location. Shortly after that, the membership labored together and built a permanent Church building on the old spot to the right of the present edifice. In 1973, after 60 years of service, the growing congregation moved into the present structure.

 

For more than 108 years, Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church has been a beacon of hope and strength to many.  Indeed, its witness has been a light to the lost and a lifter to the oppressed around Southeast Georgia. Along the way, twenty-one (21) men and one (1) woman have served as ordained deacons, including those who have gone from labor to reward:

 

Dea. John Hill; Dea. Henry Hill; Dea. Herbert Tremble; Dea. Gilmore Rivers; Dea. Roger Smith; Dea. Will Hill; Dea. Arthur Tremble; Dea. Roger Gamble; Dea. Wiley Lyons; Dea. Mose Houston; Dea. West Gibbons; Dea. Henry Rivers; Dea. Samuel Hill; Dea. Thomas Hill; Dea. John L. Tremble; Dea. Ike McNeely; Dea. James Eason; Dea. Thomas Tremble, Dea. Levon Jones and Dea. Andre' Hill.

 

Presently, Dea. Mae Pearl Hendrix, Chairman; Dea. Johnny Tremble, Vice Chairman; and Bro. Jerry Hendrix, Church Treasurer, serves the congregation. 

 

Over the years, seventeen (17) pastors have led the congregation, including:   

 

1. Rev. O. A Burke 2 Years

2. Rev. W. S Dixon 8 Years

3. Rev. W. M. Jenkins 5 Years

4. Rev. O. S Hill 1 Year

5. Rev. J. A, German 4 Years

6. Rev. J. L. Lowery 7 Years

7. Rev. G. W. Carter 16 Years

8. Rev. E. D. Brooks 1 Year

9. Rev. S. L. Archie 8 Years

10. Rev. B. N. Jones 3 Years, 7 Months   

11. Rev. J. B. Kent 13 Years, 9 Months

12. Rev. E. C. Climes 7 Years, 6 Months

13. Rev. William Moore 9 years

14. Rev. H. Gamble 5 Years, 7 Months

15. Rev. Ira Hendrix, Jr 1 Year, 6 Months

16. Rev. Barren Lewis 3 Months

 

On September 8, 2012, the congregation called, and the Reverend Dr. Francys Johnson accepted the pastorate, convinced that “Sweet Magnolia’s” grand story is yet unwritten. Magnolia has reorganized its finances, calendar, auxiliaries, and departments to serve this age effectively. Improvements to the Church facilities inside and out have been made. We are proud to have sons and daughters of Sweet Magnolia, including Minister Matthew Lovett, Minister Justine Taylor, and Minister Mamie Morell. We are sure that the Lord has got His eyes on the Magnolia Missionary Baptist Church. Therefore, let us have the courage to rediscover what is In Our Hands and, through Magnolia’s Worship, Witness, and Watch - be the Church of Jesus Christ.

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Every member, auxiliary, department, board, or ministry's efforts are aimed at utilizing all resources to provide a Christ-centered setting where people in this community can be redeemed to personal relationships with Christ, reconciled to God and His People, restored to wholeness and well-being, and revived for service to others. You can be Redeemed, Reconciled, Restored, and Revived in this Church.

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