Page 8 - The History of MSBC

From Bush Shelter to Brick: The hisTory of MT. sinai BapTisT ChurCh
nity. These meetings were known for attracting public figures that would provoke the crowd with issues regard-
ing race relations.
In addition to their regular Sunday morning service, there were many special services held at Mt. Sinai. During these special services, the congregation was able to fellowship with other churches as host or guest. Periodically, the parishioners would unite with other flocks, taking part in joint special services. In 1946, the community Christmas service was
started.
During Rev. Daughtrey’s time of service, several projects were ac- complished. An electric Hammond organ was installed and the church interior was partially renovated. He appointed four new trustees to the
Board, and they were Brothers W. W. Walden, J. Titus Cross, Daniel N. Holland and William Porter.He was an influential young minister, Bible teacher, and preacher. The following deacons were ordained:
Eddie Saunders, Paul E. Stephenson, Spencer Bailey, Prince Anderson, Junie Joyner, and Elvin T. Artis.
Rev. Daughtrey served Mt. Sinai until 1960. He gave the best of his service, occasionally returning to his home church, particularly to eulogize members he had pastored or whom he knew. He lived a life of self-sacrifice, devotion, and benevolence. Rev. Daughtrey was married to the former Miss Mary Alice Co- peland and they had three children. On the evening of Sunday, March 28, 1982, Rev. Daughtrey became ill and died unexpectedly. Earlier that day he had taught Sunday school and preached during the morning worship service at Lakeview Baptist Church. In his last sermon, Rev. Daughtrey read from Psalm 136,
Rev. DR. Ralph ReavIs
as he spoke of the Passover and the goodness of God.
Nineteen sixty-two ushered in a new era for Mt. Sinai, for it was the year that the Reverend Dr. Ralph Reavis became the fifth pastor. Upon his arrival, it was evident that the young, energetic minister exemplified the makings of a leader. After accepting the pastorate at Mt. Sinai, Rev. Reavis later assumed the task of pas- toring Gethsemane Baptist Church in Suffolk as well. The Bruns- wick County, Virginia native graduated from the James Solomon Russell High School. He was born as one of seventeen children to sharecroppers, Hallie and Fannie Reavis. When young Ralph real- ized that his parents were not financially able to send him to col- lege, he ventured out on his own trusting that God would provide a way. Rev. Reavis graduated from the Virginia Theological Sem- inary and College in Lynchburg, and furthered his studies in the graduate School of Religion at Virginia Union University and the Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.
Mt. Sinai was, at times, host to civic and community meetings. In September 1963, 175 delegates from several counties in Virgin- ia gathered at Mt. Sinai and Gethsemane Baptist for two days in support of the Virginia Negro State Agricultural Advisory Board annual meeting. The Holland-Holy Neck Civic League held many
14 | Mt. Sinai ~ Celebrating 145 Years
of their meetings and voter registration rallies at the church as well.
A convention of the Bethany Baptist Association at the old Gilfield Baptist Church in Ivor, VA.