Princeton Herald, Nov 12, 1981
VERONA BAPTIST FINDS THAT
IT'S OLDER THAN THOUGHT
The Verona
Baptist Church's organization celebrated what was believed to be the
church's 80th anniversary Sept. 27, but the historical committee has since
learned that the church was actually organized in 1887 and is now in its
94th year.
And so the
congregation is making plans to celebrate the Verona Baptist's 100th
anniversary in just six more years.
The historical
committee is continuing its work in the meantime.
Among the 170
persons who attended the recent special services and a noon meal were former
members Mrs. Mignon Kirby of South Carolina, who traveled the longest
distance to be present, and Mmes. Emma McTee of McKinney and Coy Reid of
Pecan Gap, the earliest recorded former members of hand.
Also present
were W. S. Spearman of Palestine, a former deacon, and the Rev. W. A. Brokes
of Greenville, a former pastor. He delivered the afternoon message.
Others who
attended included Alton Guin of Melissa and Dale Rushing of Commerce, former
music directors; former pianists Mrs. Barbara Francis of McKinney, Mrs. Jane
Scalf of Plano, Mrs. Brenda Lafon of Allen and Mrs. Johnnie Tignor of Van
Alstyne, and these former members; Carlton Massey of Dilley, Mrs. J. A.
Massey of Garland, Mrs. May Coate of Longview, Truman McTee of Oklahoma
City, Mrs. Loma Lindsey of Clovis, N. M., Mrs. Melinda warden of Hurst, Mrs.
Ova Love Stewart of Dallas, Mrs. Derelene Keys of Terrell, Mrs. Plesant
Trotter of Fort Worth, Mrs. Audra Ballew of Grand Prairie, Bill Brockman of
Dallas, Mrs. Carol Nolan of Sherman, Mrs. Sue White of Plano, Mrs. Charlsie
Nix of Mesquite, and Nettie Brickman, Mamie Harben and Effie McIntire of
Princeton.
The church was
first known as the Missionary Baptist Church of Christ at Verona. It was
located north of the Verona Cemetery on land purchased for five dollars from
E. M. St. Clair in 1901.
Original church
trustees were W. J. Calloway, J. S. Stewart and R. J. Smith, and some of the
first members listed on the roll were Sarah King, Iola King, W. E. Stewart,
Isaac Samples and Hattie Carmichael.
Among the early
pastors were G. A. Dale, S. T. Atkins, Jim Simmons, W. J. Humphery, Boyd
Young, J. M. Young and J. V. Hart. Also included were Bro. R. L. Johnson of
Portland, Ore., and Bro. H. R. Smelser of Kansas City, Mo., who sent letters
to be read to the congregation.
The church moved
to its present location on Farm Road 1377 between Blue Ridge and Princeton
in 1914. The present building was erected in 1961 while the Rev. J. C. Hanna
of Farmersville was pastor. The parsonage was built in 1966 and the
educational building was added in 1974. The church today is clear of any
debt on its plant.
Some of the most
recent pastors have been Mr. Hanna, Alan Tyson, F. A. Stephenson, E. P.
Wooten, Don Hill, Ralph Simmons and Earl Darden.
The Rev. David
Kirk is the current pastor and the deacon body includes John Boone, J. C.
Womble, Leon McTee, Johnny McTee, Stewart Murrell, Claude Armstrong, Bill
McTee, Charles Brockman and Weldon Preston. Mrs. Barbara McTee serves as
pianist and John Bell III is music and youth director.
Verona
Churches Index
- Recommended citation:
- "Verona Baptist Church,
Collin County Churches," Collin County, Texas History and Genealogy
Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ].
