This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

minister and he was asked to resign by the I3oard of Deaconsr The resignation letter stated that the request wjls on th<> basis of lw> Inris roni'orn i ng his minis) ry "First, Evangelism, being my first emphasis. Second. Frankness being my nature.?
There was some discussion about accepting the letter as worded, but finally it was.
This dissension took its toll in church attendance as those who defended Brother Baria just dropped out. Many remained out of attendance but the church retained its stability and avoided a split.
The next year 1959 J. A. Fillingame was appointed as Church Clerk. Dr. Ramsey presented the Brotherhood's plans for an R. A. Building behind the church. The pastor': salary was increased from $3,900.00 to $4,500.00 a year with auto expense and parsonage to remain as they were. Rev. George Abrams was our Interim Pastor until Bro. Franklin Atkinson came in December 1959.
It was recommended that the church participate in Simultaneous Revival Crusade with other churches in the association. The church gave permission to borrow $1,500.00 for one year at 5% interest from Hancock Bank to finish the Youth Activity Building in the rear of the church where the church office is k>cated now. One Hundred-Thirteen attended Vacation Bible School that year. Bro. Bob Turnage replaced Joe Cole as Music Director. Shiloh Baptist Church, a black church, was given help in their building program. The Women's Missionary Union now had 65 members and a new night circle. The Sunday School reported an enrollment of 251. During this year it was reported that 69 additions had been made to the church with 31 by baptism. The sidewalk to the Hart House was approved.
Our pastor reported on the Evangelistic Conference he attended in Natchez, Mississippi. He told us that in the following year it would be held at Gulfshore Assembly Center in Henderson Point. The Gulf Coast Association requested that the church underwrite a loan with the other churches in the Association to buy property on Pass Road between Mississippi City and Biloxi in the Popps Ferry Area for construction of a mission. It was approved by the church on March 31, 1960.