The development of Mount Vernon Baptist Church has been varied and interesting. It is said that many of the early settlers worshipped under an arbor near the present church.

       According to documented history and word of mouth, from the 1700's until the early 1800's, this area, now known as Mount Vernon, was inhabited by Cherokee and Catawba Indian Tribes. This can be attested to by Indian mounds along Cathey's Creek and on the Goode property.

      These early settlers of English, Scottish, Irish, and German descent had made their way from the Virginias and points east. Some of their names can still be heard today, such as: Carpenter, Logan, Ross, Edgerton, Freeman and Bland.

      The first deed to the church, dated January 1, 1832, is recorded in Deed Book 72, page 188. It is indicated that Jonathan and Samuel Liverett deeded to Toliver Davis, John Tomberlin and William Hill seven acres on which the new meeting house was built. Known as "Mount Vernon Meeting House," it was so named because the beautiful knoll surrounded by streams and springs resembled the estate of George Washington at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

     The meetinghouse had two separate doors with a partition in between; one door for the whites and the other for blacks. It was customary for the slaves to come with their masters' families. The doors were open to all who wanted to worship. Then, as now, concern was shown for everyone whether the needs were spiritual or physical.

     By 1844, there were 30 blacks on the church roster. It is believed that some of these are buried in unmarked graves in the "old cemetery."

     A meeting was held on July 20, 1831 at the Rutherfordton Court House and afterwards, Mount Vernon Meetinghouse organized its first Sunday School. Members used literature, testaments, and tracts sent by the American Bible Society. These were distributed from the Rutherford County headquarters to churches and meetinghouses by way of wagons. After preaching was over, they used their Webster's Blue Back Spellers and Bibles for studying. A teacher was always there for the instructional part of the day. No church business was handled on the "Lord's Day." It took place once or twice a month on Saturday. The original congregation numbered about 20.

      The Mount Vernon Meetinghouse, as such, lasted for 12 years when the members asked to join the newly organized Green River Association (organized in 1840). The 26 charter members agreed on the name change to Mount Vernon Baptist Church and we became a full-fledged church.

      Elder James Milton Webb was chosen as the first pastor. He had been holding services at the meetinghouse for several years prior to organizing the church. A man of many talents, Rev. Webb had been elected to the House of Commons on three different occasions before being ordained into the ministry. He served our church until his death in 1854. He is buried in a family cemetery on his old home place near Cathey's Creek on Highway 64. It is landmarked the "Webb House" and is the present home of Ben Jr. and Joan Wall.

      In 1898, a one-story frame building was erected on the present site. At first there was only the sanctuary. Later, two classrooms and a balcony were added. The sanctuary was heated in the winter by two wood burning stoves on each side of the church. In the 1930's the underside was enclosed for additional classrooms and an assembly area. Gas heat was added in 1944.

      Downhill in front of the old church was a large spring. The men dug out and cemented a pool to be used for baptisms. Prior to this, creeks or rivers were used.

      On baptismal days the water entering the pool was diverted into barrels and heated. Then it was returned to the pool. Still, it was said to be very cold. A two-room dressing area was located at the end of the pool. Baptisms were conducted there through 1958. This site was sold to Dr. Phillip Whitworth in 1987.

      In 1943, the church purchased a house owned by Jim Bell Freeman. This became the first parsonage. It was used until the early 1970's when it was moved one-fourth mile down the road and became the home of Ernest and Myrtle Logan. It was replaced by a new brick house which has served as the parsonage since that time.

      We saw continued growth and the need for a new church. The old structure was outgrown and in need of repair, having been used 60 years. It was torn down to make way for the new building. The congregation met at Mount Vernon High School for several weeks during the construction. Services began in the new building in November 1958. Some pieces of the old church are still in existence today. The colored glass in our church steeple was salvaged from the old church windows. We also have some pews, an old podium, and a stained- glass window sash with the name "Mount Vernon" on it. Randy Edgerton was the first to be baptized in the new church.

      The educational building was added in the 1960's giving more classroom space, a kitchen and an assembly room. We continued to grow and the Family Life Center was constructed in 1995 This made possible, in part, by a generous gift from Dr. Herman Westmoreland, a former member and a descendant of the Manly Logan family.

      Each year, in remembrance of our loved ones, we celebrate the second Sunday of May as our Memorial Day. Friends and former members return and we decorate the graves of loved ones. It is a time of families coming together and remembering.

      Through much hard work by many of our church members and a generous contribution by Ozelle K. Freeman, the Glenn l). Freeman Recreation Park was dedicated in 1992. It has provided a place for many church activities, including softball.

      Z. Miller Freeman was our first full-time pastor (1942-1947). He baptized many of us and we all remember his dedication to our Lord. He returned here to retire and for several years we enjoyed his wonderful biscuits on family night, devotions from a boat on his lake, and fellowship with delicious watermelon. He also served as minister of music during part of this time.

      Richard Bass was our pastor longer than any other. He faithfully served our congregation for 34 years. During his tenure here, new mission fields were opened and new opportunities were provided for young and old to grow and serve. Reverend Bass led with love and compassion.

He led with Biblical knowledge and from a personal relationship with Christ.

      In the late seventies, a summer youth ministry was begun. College students, who usually lived in the homes of one of the church members, provided a summer filled with Bible study, and various activities. A drama, featuring our youth, closed the summer season.

      Our first youth director, Teren Blackburn, served for two summers, followed by Richard Young. Then two of our own church members at the time, Mary Ruth Zanon Dixon and Anne Metcalf Parton served for the next two summers. Anne was followed by Caryl Thomason Price and Keith Stott. We remember well their zest for life, and their dedication to the Lord. Later, Henry Glenn, a missionary from Africa served. Don Owens followed next and brought new enthusiasm to the youth program.

      In 1990, another enriching summer occurred for all of us. Rev. Bass served the Skipton Baptist Church in North Yorkshire, England, while the pastor from that church, John Lewis, came and ministered to us at Mount Vernon. It was an uplifting and unique experience for everyone.

      Johnny Richards became our first full-time youth director in 1989 and served until 1998. During part of that time, he was our minister of music. Greg Hathaway came next and Christian values continued to be instilled in our youth. Josh Apple has been our youth minister since 2002. He is providing wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth and development for our young people.

      Following the retirement of Richard Bass in 2000, Greg Hathaway became our pastor (February 2002) and continued in that position until June 2007. He was a man with deep conviction and vision. We will always remember his friendly manner and outstanding sermons.

      We are very fortunate to presently have Dr. Jim Whitlow serve as our interim pastor. We are all blessed and inspired by his sermons.

      We have had several members of our church ordained into the ministry. They were:

Miller Freeman

Johnny Richards

Crawford Rollins

Don Crawford

Ray Hooper

Josh Apple

 

This beloved church has been blessed by many faithful men of God who have served as pastors:

J.M. Webb                T. Bright                  M.L. Lennon         Z. Miller Freeman

Joseph Suttle         G.W. Rollins           J.A. Brindle          J.B. Jones

Berry Rollins            C.E. Gower             C.L. Taylor           A.G. Brooks

Robert Posten        G.M. Webb             L.W. Teague       Wade H. James

J.C. Grayson            D.J. Hunt                J.A. Brock            Richard Bass

W.H. Logan              W.E. Wilson           C.C. Crowe          Gregory Hathaway

H.D. Harrill                R.H. Herring           L.P. Barnette      A.L. Stough

E.B. Dillard                H.E. Rogers

 

Ethel E. Metcalf

November 4, 2007

(Pastors after 2007)

• Wayne Blackwood : interim.

• Dr. Whitlow : full time

• Dr. Scott Courtney: full time (January, 2011)

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Credits:

Historical Society of Rutherford County (subcommittee)

Minutes of the Green River Association