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HISTORY OF FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Sycamore and Third Streets Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Reminiscence is almost pleasurable, especially when one can reminisce and realize the growth and progress that have been accomplished. The obvious progress of a church to the outsider is manifested from year to year and is constantly increasing in building or physical plant.
What vividness, imagination or sentiment can transmute these dead and hallow masses into life?
In 1877 the First Missionary Baptist Church was established. This was a giant step forward for the Christians of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Like a human being, a church starts from a small beginning with perhaps a struggle to survive, followed by slow, then more rapid growth.
The church was organized in the home of Deacon Alexander Fox. Realizing the fact that a church could not succeed without a pastor, the Reverend Taylor Fryerson was called and became the first regular pastor. Under the leadership of Reverend Fryerson, the church began to grow and prosper. Reverend Fryerson and the small membership constructed the first church on Kellar Street between Hancock and Third Streets. A successful leader, Reverend Fryerson was instrumental in organizing other leading Baptist churches along the Gulf Coast. He pastored this congregation until he moved to St. Charles, Louisiana.
Reverend Charles Mosley, a native of Bay St. Louis was called as the second pastor. With great determination, faith, hard work and trust in God, Reverend Mosley and the faithful Christians worked diligently together until they were able to raise enough money to purchase the present site on the corner of Sycamore and Third Streets to erect a new church. Reverend Mosley served for a number of years before his resignation.
Reverend A. L. Washington of Picayune, Mississippi came to serve the church a short time afterwards. Reverend Washington?s willingness to work hard and his energy and intelligence started him on a mission of seeking souls for the Kingdom, and then he too moved on after serving for a time.