Page 4 - The History of MSBC

From Bush Shelter to Brick: The hisTory of MT. sinai BapTisT ChurCh Rev. Gregory that God had called him into the ministry. Soon after, Israel Cross preached his trial sermon
and was later licensed.
Despite the preconceived notion that the Negro race began its vocation in 1865 with no land in its pos- session, the free Negroes of Virginia in 1860 owned a total of 60,000 acres of land, including 1,200 farms. During this time, Nansemond County ranked the highest in property ownership where ninety-two heads of families owned the land they cultivated with Dempsey Hare taking the lead with 363 acres of land. Meanwhile, the worshipers in the bush shelter on the property of the Reedy Branch Baptist Church de- cided to move and they were permitted to build another bush shelter on the Dempsey Hare farm. After a dispute occurred between Hare and the converts, a gentleman named Benjamin Howell donated land so the flock could build a church. The young congregants commenced to build a sanctuary by arranging bush- es for shelter from the sun and wooden logs for pews. As time progressed, the members’ desire for a more suitable house of worship led to the building of a log house. To construct their
Rev. IsRael CRoss
third house of worship, they cut, skinned, notched, and stacked logs using clay to bind them together. Poles were split to create a cover- ing for the roof, wood blocks made
a modest pulpit; logs functioned as pews and a floor of dirt.
Reverend Israel Cross arrived in 1867 and began preaching in the log building. Members of the church held positions and provid- ed services in the church before professing their belief in Christ. In 1868, Rev. Cross held a “Great Revival” and thirty-nine souls were saved during this celebrated event. After the “Great Revival,” Rev. Cross “sighted” a more per- manent ministry, so he withdrew his membership from Cool Spring Baptist Church. He encouraged the Negro members who be- longed to the Reedy Branch Bap-
tist Church to join him in estab- lishing a new church.
In October 1868, Rev. Joe Gregory and the congregation gathered in the log house and founded the Mount Sinai Baptist Church. At this time Rev. Israel Cross was named pastor, and the following members were appointed as deacons: Preston Hunter, David Porter, Thomas Drake, James Hare, and Prince Cross.
As Christian educational opportunities grew in the church com- munity, slaves were permitted to worship God more freely. While the church prospered and the membership increased greatly, a thirst to grow continuously in faith and education brought new life to a once enslaved people. In appreciation for the countless blessings bestowed upon them, the congregation often lifted “holy hands” to heaven and praised God for bringing them “thus far on the way”. Three years after forming Mt. Sinai, the congregation decided to replace the log church with a “more praise worthy frame building.” Two members
of the congregation, Thomas Drake and Isaiah Harrell were se- lected as the contractors.
In 1881, the parishioners once again outgrew their edifice. The church purchased one-half acre of land and J. P. Butler, a Negro contractor and builder, was employed to construct the
10 | Mt. Sinai ~ Celebrating 145 Years