Page 5 - The History of MSBC

From Bush Shelter to Brick: The hisTory of MT. sinai BapTisT ChurCh
new structure. In 1886, the building was completed and paid for, leaving a balance of $7.61 in the treasury. The building was remodeled years later in 1908, with the addition of stained glass windows in the front of the church, a choir stand, pews and an organ. Throughout his 42 years as pastor, Rev. Cross preached the gospel according to the Bible, and emphasized the importance of education and land ownership.
Rev. Israel Cross was married to the former Mrs. Mary Lue Boone, who along with their children, made sacrifices for the ministry, and worthy contributions in the fields of education, religion, and music. Rev. Cross passed away on May 23, 1911 and was buried in the cemetery
across the road from the church.
In the wake of the death of Rev. Cross, came the arrival of Rever- end Dr. Walter R. Ashburn (a.k.a. W. B. Ashburn) in 1912. A native of Nansemond County, he served with dignity and honor for three years. Like his predecessor, Rev. Ashburn taught the lessons of the Great Master, “Repent, believe and be baptized and you shall be saved.” Following his resignation as pastor of Mt. Sinai, Rev. Ash- burn went on to lead numerous churches throughout Virginia, in- cluding Cool Spring Baptist Church, where he laid the foundation for progress and success for the colored citizens of Franklin. He was described as a visionary, explorer and orator whose charm awakened a sense of racial pride in the church and community.
Dr. Ashburn is best remembered for his missionary efforts which covered a period of more than thirty years. As a field missionary for the General Baptist Convention of Virginia, Dr. Ashburn traveled extensively and was one of the best known Baptist ministers in the country.
An author and lecturer, Dr. Ashburn penned “The Famous Six
Sermons.” His lectures were considered destined to be the dawn of
a new day in Negro History in Virginia. They were described in the
Norfolk Journal and Guide as racial, patriotic, humorous, intelligent,
and full of movement; that even children enjoyed every word of it. In
1926, he was under contract with the Universal Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.), a Black Na- tionalist fraternal organization founded in 1914 by Marcus Garvey, which took him all over the country.
Dr. Ashburn served on numerous boards, including the Virginia Theological Seminary and College in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1931, he was the chairman of the Board of Trustees appointed to reorganize the Hayden Memorial Institute (a.k.a. Franklin Normal School, later Hayden High School). An effective or- ganizer, Dr. Ashburn coordinated the Sharon Baptist Association of Virginia and assisted in organizing
Rev. DR. WalteR R. ashbuRn
Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, circa 1940.
the Baptist Sunday School Conven- tion, and the Baptist Young Peoples Union (B.Y.P.U.) of Virginia. He was also secretary of the church exten- sion board of the National Baptist Convention. Under Dr. Ashburn’s leadership, a vast number of mission- ary quarterly meetings and training schools were formed in Virginia. Its purpose was to acquaint the min- isters and laymen with the funda- mental principles of the church and various departments and to awaken them to do more active work for the cause of Christianity, particularly with regard to missions.
Dr. Ashburn was married to Susie Cain Ashburn, who was born near Emporia, Virginia. In time, the couple settled in Emporia. Dr. Ashburn died on January 26, 1939 at his home in
Mt. Sinai ~ Celebrating 145 Years | 11