Page 6 - The History of MSBC

From Bush Shelter to Brick: The hisTory of MT. sinai BapTisT ChurCh Emporia following a brief illness.
Rev. lovelaCe J. alexanDeR
In 1916, the Reverend Lovelace J. Alexander of Wise, North Caroli- na was called as the third pastor from the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Macon, North Carolina. He was born in 1865, the same year the Civil War ended. His childhood covered the early years of Reconstruction, and like many other young men and women during that time, young Alexander had a vision of ultimate harmony and social development. Although educational advantages were few, Rev. Alexander attended school as opportunities permitted. In an early visit to Mt. Sinai, Rev. Alexander found encouragement from Rev. Israel Cross when he ut- tered, “God bless you young man; the gospel you preach, one can live by it.”
Rev. Alexander’s ministry spanned sixty years. He pastored churches in Virginia and North Carolina, and at times pastored four churches at once. In the course of his pastorship, Rev. Alexander even managed to maintain his home and farm in Warren County, North Carolina. He headed the Bethany Baptist Association, with which Mt. Sinai was affiliated, along with Bethany Baptist Sunday School Con- vention. Rev. Alexander served as a trustee of the Virginia Theolog-
ical Seminary and College, from which he was awarded an honorary degree of doctor of laws.
On October 13, 1920, the following were appointed as the church trustees: Titus L. G. Walden, John H. Lewis, George W. Brown, Willis J. Wiggins, Benjamin H. Ash, Anthony T. Holland, and Axium J. Holland. Plans were soon underway for the construction of a new edifice. The plans were outlined by German archi- tect, R. H. Reidel, and members of the church were used as laborers. The fourth exceptional rural church edifice was erected in 1921 under the pastorate of Rev. Alexander. The modern Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, one of the oldest church sites in the state; and considered unique as a rural church. Built at a cost of more than $30,000.00, this brick structure was comprised of a sanctuary, pastor’s study, and rear rooms for Sunday school, the choir, and meetings. With approximately 300 active members in 1937, most of whom were farmers, the church was virtually debt free. A kitchen and dining room were built in the basement and cement walks were added in 1939, later on new pews were installed. The entire indebtedness of the church was liquidated in 1941, and all mortgages burned on the second Sunday in December.
In his 1930 work, “The Rural Negro,” Carter G. Woodson featured a photograph of a newly construct- ed Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, bearing a caption
which read, “An Unusual Church for the Rural
Community.” The book charted the social and
economic conditions of the Negroes of the United States after the Civil War. In describing the con- ditions of churches in rural areas, Dr. Woodson stated, “.... here and there rises in the country a brick church which would do credit to a city.” While the average rural church for blacks during these times was log structures or framed build- ings, it was uncommon to see a religious institu- tion of this caliber along the countryside.
The services at Mt. Sinai Baptist were fre-
quently spirit-filled and well attended. Over the
years the congregation annually celebrated spe-
cial services, such as, Women’s Day, Men’s Day,
and Family Day. One of their largest observanc-
es was the annual revival. Distinguished min-
isters from near and far were invited to speak
at these “big meetings”. In 1937, the Reverend
Richard H. Bowling, pastor of the First Baptist
Church Bute Street in Norfolk accepted an invitation to conduct the revival. Given that the weather was rainy, he anticipated the engagement would be canceled. In his article, “Thunder At Sinai,” Rev. Bowl-
12 | Mt. Sinai ~ Celebrating 145 Years
Rev. Alexander preparing for a visit in the community.