Page 9 - The History of MSBC

From Bush Shelter to Brick: The hisTory of MT. sinai BapTisT ChurCh
Rev. Reavis maintained a fervent principle believing, “If we walk together with Christ as Chris- tian brothers, all things are possible.” It was through this belief the erection of a two-story educa- tional annex was initiated in 1964. Plans for the new addition were drafted by Frank L. Walden, a contractor and trustee of the church, and most of the work was completed by the members. The two-story addition included a multi-purpose room, kitchen, pastor’s study, finance room, two classrooms, two public restrooms, and an area reserved for a baptistery totaling nearly $30,000. The addition would later serve as home to several community programs, including the Senior Cit-
izen Club, a group which consisted of seniors from churches in the community. The church also would become home for a Head Start Program in 1966. The director, Mrs. Ruby H. Walden, was equally instrumental in initiating the federally-funded, child development program in the community. Head Start provided wide-range education, health, nutri-
tion, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families.
With a growing congregation, Rev. Reavis recognized the need to appoint new dea- cons. Brothers Obediah G. Baker, Frank L. Walden, and Linwood Holland were se- lected and later ordained as deacons. After a meeting in January 1966, the board and pastor recommended that in the best interest of the church, the senior and missionary
choirs would be combined. They also proposed that Mrs. Wheeler, the church organist, be given permis- sion to organize a youth choir.
In the spring of 1966, after serving four years in the pulpit of Mt. Sinai, Rev. Reavis accepted a pas- torate at the Grove Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia. Even though his tenure was short, he left the congregation with a fruitful legacy in both word and deed. In 1989, Rev. Reavis became the first Afri- can-American to earn a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
Following his departure from Mt. Sinai, Rev. Reavis continued his 41 years in the ministry and went on to pastor seven Baptist churches in Virginia, including Riverview Baptist Church in Richmond. As an educator and writer, he served on the faculties of Virginia Union University, the College of William and Mary and Howard University. Dr. Reavis has authored four books, including two histories of Virginia University of Lynchburg. In 2001, he retired from Riverview Baptist after twenty-six and a half years to become president of Virginia University of Lynchburg. On Thanksgiv-
ing Day in 1961, he married the former Marion Elizabeth Langhorne
of Lynchburg and they have one son.
Despite the absence of a spiritual leader, Mt. Sinai persevered for approximately six months under the thorough guidance of God, re- maining faithful that He would send them another leader. In Novem- ber of 1966, the prayers of the congregation were answered when the
Rev. Dr. Watkins, center, and members of the Deacon’s Board.
Rev. Dr. Haywood Russell Watkins Sr. was embraced as the sixth pas- tor. The Meherrin, Virginia native was the seventh child of the Rev. Alexander and Jessie Watkins. At the tender age of eight, Haywood ac- cepted Christ as Savior and Lord of his life.
After graduating from the Virgin-
ia Union University, Rev. Watkins
furthered his studies at St. Paul’s
College, the University of Virginia,
The College of William and Mary,
the Virginia Seminary in Lynchburg,
and the Union Theological Seminary
in Richmond. He was honored with two honorary doctorate degrees for his outstanding and committed service in education, civic and religious leadership.
Throughout his career as an educator, Dr. Watkins served Lunen- burg County, Virginia as a teacher, an assistant principal, and coordi- nator of federal projects for a total of 38 years. He held key positions
in a number of organizations, and like his predecessors, he served on
Rev. DR. hayWooD R. WatkIns sR.
Mt. Sinai ~ Celebrating 145 Years | 15