Immanuel Baptist Church - Vicksburg, MS

In 1937, several years before the LeTourneau plant came to Vicksburg; a group of Christians organized a Sunday School and had worship services in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frazier. Later this group erected a small frame chapel known as the Woodland Chapel, on property given to them by Mr. J.W. Culley. This mission had an enrollment of around 40 and all denominations worshipped here, although Baptist literature was used. The Trustees of the Chapel, as mentioned in the deed were the following: Mrs. W.C. Simrall, Mr. Anthony Hilderbrand, and Mr. James McMillin. After the death of Mr. Hilderbrand, his grandson, Anthony "Bill" Thomas became the new trustee.

When the Letourneau plant moved to this community, the new people began to see the need of an organized church. Several families were driving to and from Vicksburg for worship services. Through the efforts of some of the Baptist men, a census was taken and a real need was seen for a church. The Reverend James Fairchild was then serving as County Missionary and was asked to assist in starting a new church. The first prayer meeting was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl O. Shaw. Brother Fairchilds's text was taken from Ecclesiastes 12:13. "Fear the Lord and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man."

Brother Fairchild asked the trustees of Woodland Chapel for permission to meet in the Chapel until a building could be erected. Permission was given and the first meetings were held there. The church was never considered a mission.

In this Chapel on November 10, 1946, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church. The meeting was opened with prayer led by Dr. D. Swan Haworth, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Reverend James Fairchild was elected moderator and Mrs. Wilbur McKay was elected church clerk. The reasons for a church were given and the Examining Committee, J.E. Blackburn, chairman, recommended that the church be established. After reading the church resolutions, sixteen members came forward to sign their names as charter members:

Those members as given in the original minutes were: Homer Douglas, Marion D. Impson, Wilbur L. McKay, Victor Hilderbrand, Bobby Douglas, Frank H. Thomas, John D. Chamblee, Jr., Mrs. William Gray, Mrs. Wilbur L. McKay, Mrs. Carl O. Shaw, Ralph Hilderbrand, William Gray, Lucile Hilderbrand, Carl O. Shaw, Mrs. Pearl Frazier, and Mrs. Homer Douglas.

THIS IS HOW IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH CAME INTO EXISTENCE.