Historical Synopsis of Rising Star Baptist Church

Rising Star Baptist Church was found in 1916 by a group of men lead by God to form a church in the rural area of Fayette County. Thanks be to God and their efforts, they were successful in organizing a church while gathering in a log cabin known as Grooms Chapel School. The church was held in the schoolhouse for two years.

The founders and members were lead to name the church “Rising Star Baptist Church”. In 1918, a log cabin was erected as the first church building. The first service was held on the fourth Sunday in May 1918, with Rev. R. L. Davis as the first pastor. It was held for twenty years in this site until the site changed. In 1937, one acre of land was donated to build a school. The R. L. Matthews Training School was built by the WPA. The school was dedicated in October of 1937 and served as a place of worship for the Rising Star Baptist Church.

On March 31, 1938, Mr. R. L. Matthews deeded ¼ acre of land to Mr. Newt Perdue and others to build a church. A rough, frame church was erected in July 1939. The present church is situated on that land today. Because of the growth and progress of Rising Star, later the church purchased 1 ¼ acre of land next to the church from Mrs. R. L. Matthews.

The existing structure was built in 1961 under the leadership of Rev. G. H. Huntley.

During the 96 years of the Rising Star’s existence, seventeen outstanding pastors have ministered the Word of God to the Rising Star congregation. Several deacons have been ordained and many ministries have been added to equip God’s people for service.

The church made great strides under the leadership of Rev. T. V. Reeves. Some of the many accomplishments include paving the parking lot, bricking the outside in 1988, expanding the fellowship hall to include offices, installing central heating and air, purchasing new furnishings, remodeling the pulpit, and adding a new pastor’s study.

On August 26, 1999, after much prayer, God planted Rev. Milton B. Reeves as the pastor. In recent years, much progress has been made spiritually, socially, and physically including expanding to every Sunday worship service; the addition of a new vestibule with bathrooms in 2006; and a complete renovation on the entire sanctuary in 2007, and adding a new roof in 2009.

As God continues to elevate us higher levels in Him, Rising Star is being blessed and is “about her Father’s business.” Membership is increasing and growing with a deeper level of commitment and dedication to God.

CHURCH COVENANT

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior; and on the professions of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now and in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, towards its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.

We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good work and work; to guard each other’s reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other’s joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another’s burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.