Footsteps

It was during Easter week 1935 that Daniel Memorial Baptist Church came into being.  A small group of Christians gathered on April 8, in a red frame building at Byram Consolidated School. The meeting opened with a song, and Reverend Cranford led the devotional on The Fellowship of Believers based on Acts 2:43-47.  Members of the Organizing Council were present: Reverend W. L.  Howse, Moderator; Reverend R. E. McPheeters, Clerk; Reverend R. A. Thornton, Dr. H. M.  King and Reverend Jack Cranford.  Purposefully, the Reverend Howse read the Church Covenant, which was entered into by the church.  Dr. King read the Articles of Faith.  Immediately, the young church called Reverend McPheeters as Pastor. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, these organizers, amid 24 charter members, embarked on a bold mission--To share the good news of Jesus Christ in the community of South Leavell Woods in Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. A. F. Daniel, who was vitally interested in this venture, donated land on Terry Road to be used as a building site.  His generous contribution, made during the depression years, was not to be forgotten. In recognition, the church was named Daniel Memorial Baptist Church. The construction began shortly thereafter and was done primarily through the work of volunteers.  One year later, on Wednesday before Easter, the church held its first prayer meeting in the unfinished building.  On Easter Sunday 1936, the first Sunday services were held in the new building.  It was a humble beginning.  Chairs were borrowed from a nearby funeral home and boards placed between nail kegs served as pews.  Records show 77 persons attended Sunday School, over 100 were in the church service, and an offering of $50.10 was received. Much had been accomplished in such a short time!  By following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the dreams of a few men and women had become a reality.

 

Throughout our existence, Daniel Memorial has seen many, many members  make personal commitments for full-time Christian service.

The following were licensed and/or ordained as Ministers of the Gospel:		Others in  Full-time Christian Service:
W. H. Slaymaker Glen Thomas Williams Ralph Graves Bryce Thompson Harmon Ellison Marcus Bowers, Jr. H. G. Woodruff Dennis Conniff, Jr. Steve Stone Jimmy McEachern Carroll Farmer Byron Lee Malone Ron West	Billy Hollingsworth Brad Hartzog Brent Bozeman Glen Williams Jonathan Jarvis Mark Wright Dennis Smith James Gill David Finnell Jimmy Bridges Robert Boykin Gary White	Rhonda Cooksey James Henley, Jr. Janet Bullock Shawn Purvis Nick Hodges Lindsey Dickson Preston Crowe Bevin Creel Nick Hodges John Gordan Jennifer Malone Crowe Jan Halford Gloria Speed Cindy Malone Townsend Pam Magee  Tim Martin