The History of Beulah Baptist Church 1880 to Present
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Beulah Baptist Church was constituted into the Bigbee Baptist Association in 1880, with land for the building of the church being donated by the Pond family. According to historians, the church had existed for 15 to 20 years before its formal constitution.
Prior to the church being built, services were held in the brush arbor. A pot-bellied stove later sat in the middle of the church floor, and there was a pump organ, played by Sallie Pond Dill until her death in 1918. Records indicate a membership of 45 in 1910.
Some of the earliest members of the church: (1) J.F. Dill, wife Martha Caroline Nelson Dill, & children George Reed Dill (& wife Sallie Pond Dill), Cora Dill Harris (& husband Elbert Harris, & dau. Mildred Harris Mellown), Ada Dill Grimes, and Isabell Dill. (2) Children of George Reed Dill & Sallie Pond Dill: John Dill, Joe Dill, George Reed Dill Jr., Annie Matt Dill Grimes, Mary Elizabeth Dill Grimes, and Thelma Dill Alexander. (3) Chris Baskin & wife Annie Jones Baskin, with children Joe Baskin, John Dempse Baskin, Mary Julia Baskin Collier, and Christine Baskin Jones. (4) George Garrison & wife Ida Garrison with chidlren G.J., Willie Gray, and Myrene. (5) Coleman Bryan & wife Betty Tate Bryan, with son Harold Coleman Bryan & Betty's sister Pearl Tate. (6) James G. (Jim) Grimes & wife Ada Dill Grimes, with children Isabell Grimes Stallings and Lorene Grimes Stallings. (7) Dr. Joe Jones. And (8) W.F. Pond, minister.
The original church did not include the present day vestibule, Sunday School classrooms located on each side of the vestibule, and porch. These were added in the 1940's or 50's, during a renovation, which also added the hardwood floor, sheetrock, wiring and light fixtures. The pews were built in the 1950's by Mr. Jim Lancaster.
Pastors from 1880-Present: W.F. Pond (1880-1881), J.K. Ryan (1882), W.F. Pond (1883), B.S. Vaughan (1910), A.H. Miller (1925), Leslie Ezell (1929), C.E. Dearman (1932-1938), Louis Curtis (1941), Joe Robin Baskin (1951), Houston Haynes (1952-1975), Sammy Brister (1978-1984), Louis Wilson (1984-1987), Donnie Cobb (1987-1989), Jimbo Grant (1990-1997), Mike Ragland (1997-1999), Bob Simmons (2000-2005).
The church has met very few times since the end of 2005, meeting the 1st Sunday of May each year for a homecoming service, lunch, and cemetery decoration. The last few remaining church members are members of the Dill/Grimes family.
The Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery is located immediately behind the church. The oldest grave is that of Luther J. Sanders, born March 18, 1883, Died December 20, 1883, inscription: An Angel in Heaven.
To reach the church and cemetery, travel AL Hwy 17 South of York in Sumter County for about 5 miles, turning right onto County Road 9 toward Ward, passing through the Siloam community. Take County Road 9 another 5 miles or so, until you reach a "crossroad" with the Cokes Chapel Cemetery to your immediate left. Turn right onto County Road 10 and follow it into Ward. Passing the post office on the right, turn left onto the paved road and follow it for a few miles to another "crossroad" where you see an old store. This is the old Kinterbish community. Turn left onto the dirt road by the store, and the church will be on your left. You are now very near the Sumter/Choctaw County line.
Email: mastah.pastah@yahoo.com
