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Springs in 1873 in search of health. His health soon became sufficiently restored for him to do mission work. The Mississippi Baptist State Mission Board employed him to lead in the work. The Providence Baptist Association of Alabama was at this time sponsoring the Baptist Cause along the Gulf Coast all the way to New Orleans, but it seems that some of the churches had ceased to function, namely Biloxi and Ocean Springs. Reverend Hamberlin set about to "raise" them from the dead.
In 1877, when the Gulf Coast Baptist Association was organized, five Coast Churches had the same pastor, J. B. Hamberlin. Baptists looked upon him as a veritable John the Baptist in this beautiful but awfully wicked country. In the five and one half years that he remained in service, the fruits of his labors may be tabulated thus: eight churches constituted, 100 persons baptized, three houses of worship built, and more than $10,000 raised for all purposes. He was influential in the organization of the Gulf Coast Baptist Association. He retired to Healing Springs, Alabama, in November 1888 because of failing health. He died in 1907 at about 80 years of age.
In 1895 the State Mission Board returned the Reverend J. J. W. Mathis, a missionary, to revive the work here. A meeting was held in the Methodist Church on August 2, 1895. Rev. Mathis acquired a plat of land measuring two hundred fifty-three feet on Esterbrook by seventy-three feet on Toulme Street. This lot was acquired from Mrs. Dan (Jean N.) Seal for $75.00. The deed was taken in the name of "Reverend J. J. Mathis, H. L. Pledger, H. M. Graham, William Sylvester, and Mary C. Lumkin, Trustees of the Baptist Church of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and their successors in office."
A building was started on this land, and by the spring of 1896 the building was "closed-in" and "partially seated" with chairs donated by various friends of the group. In April 1896, Brother Mathis secured the service of Reverend L.N. Brock of Mobile, Alabama, and a revival meeting of "several days duration" was held. Two people were baptized at the close of the meeting. Then on April 19, 1896, an organizational meeting was held and the First Baptist Church of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, was organized officially with twelve or fourteen charter
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