Church History

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church at Wilson, Arkansas was established in 1911 by the Reverend "Doc" Thomas.  The first building was damaged by a storm in 1925 and rebuilt in 1932 in its present location.  In the years prior to its reconstruction, services were held in an old house which was very near where the church currently stands. Some of the early pastors were Rev. C. M. Johnson, Rev. J. H. McGathon, Rev. James A. Morgan, Rev. Robert T. Shipp, Rev. M. L. Scott and Rev. Walter Pomphey Scott:  all of whom are deceased. Other pastors included the late Rev. A. L. (Paul Alexander) Dawson who served from October 1955 to October 1962.  He left to become pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, Illinois where he served 29 years until his retirement in September 1991.  He passed away less than one month later on October 14, 1991 at age 76 and was laid to rest on October 19, 1991. Rev. Dawson's successor was the Rev. J. H. Robinson.  Rev. Robinson served faithfully for nearly 15 years, from June 1963 until his death on Sunday, February 12, 1978 at age 69.  Rev. Robinson passed away in the pulpit during the worship services.  He was laid to rest on February 18, 1978.  He is the only pastor buried in the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church cemetery. Rev. Eugene C. Carter was elected to serve as pastor by June 1978.  In May 1982, the church family was once again thrust into mourning with the death of Rev. Carter who was 80 years old.  He was eulogized on May 29, 1982 and laid to rest in the Sandy Ridge Cemetery. Rev. Gus Chandler, Jr. was elected in August 1982 to serve as the next pastor.  Under his leadership, many changes occurred within the church.  First, he instituted every Sunday worship services, changing the second and fourth Sunday worship service pattern that had been observed since 1914.  Secondly, he changed the physical appearance of the church and the sanctuary.  A new vestibule complete with indoor bathrooms was added along with a new steeple, roof, windows, aluminum siding, paneling, carpet, a sound system, central heat and air, and a fellowship hall.  Thirdly, he instituted the tithing principle abolishing the "Pastor and Church Dues System".  He was a steadfast warrior until God called him home on February 3, 2002.  He was the longest serving pastor serving 19 years and 6 months before he was laid to rest on February 9, 2002. The Rev. Anthony Latham was elected in late June 2002 but stepped down in late August 2002 prior to the Installation Services due to personal reasons. The current pastor is the Rev. Bryant K. Whitted.  He was elected in January 2003 and installed in March 2003.  Under his leadership, there is new life in the church!  In just 2 short years, there have been many changes:  a church van was acquired, a food ministry was established as well as a media ministry, radio and televised worship services--a historical first.  Because of his vision, his tenacity, and his faith, services are now being held in a Beautiful New Worship Center which has a seating capacity of 325 instead of the previous 100--this is phase 1 of 3: phase 2 will add a 6 classroom wing and 2000 sq. ft. to the fellowship hall; phase 3 will add a 100 seat wing to the worship center and a life center with bowling, gameroom and basketball court for the community . The new Worship Center is located at 50 South Jefferson Street, Wilson, Arkansas.  Our first Celebration Service was held in the new sanctuary on Saturday, November 26, 2005.  Our official Dedication Services were held on Sunday, December 18, 2005.  Pastor Whitted is a visionary for which many great things are in store.  Because of his leadership, membership has grown from 30 per week to over 150 per week  and a massive outreach ministry. During the Dedication Services, the church name officially became Greater Macedonia Baptist Church.  Pastor Whitted is truly a man of God and a committed soldier in God's army, indeed, sent by God!  The Macedonia Church Family is blessed immeasurably to have him as the leader of our church. Macedonia Baptist Church has had some very loyal deacons.  They included Bro. Horace Seawood, Bro. George Clark, Bro. Frank Grey, Bro. Warren Penton, Bro. Ezell Trammell, Bro. Jerry Seawood, Bro. Matthew, Bro. Burnett, Bro. Earl Truss, Bro. Walter Garrett, Bro. Henry Wilburn, Bro. Charlie Beecham, Bro. Don Watkins, Bro. Hughie Windmon, Bro. Willie Coleman, Bro. Lonnie Dabney, Bro. Jeff Beecham, Bro. Walter McFarland and Bro. Willie Rutherford who passed away recently, thirty three days short of his 92nd birthday. Deacons still on the job include Bro.  Jim Talley, Bro. Booker Windmon, Bro. Robert Pendleton, Bro. Robert Allen and Bro. Neal Redmon. Our Mother Board includes our oldest members:  Sis. Louise Beecham who celebrated her 93rd birthday in July 2005; Sis Estella Beecham who celebrated her 92nd birthday on December 24, 2005 and Sis Naomi Rutherford who celebrated her 84th birthday on November 23, 2005.   Others on the Mother board include Sis. Geneva Talley, Sis. Essie Windmon and Sis. Mary Pendleton. The Recovery Room Radio Ministry  on KJAM 93.7 reaching three states was started in 2007 and in September 2009, The Recovery Room Telecast was started on Ritter channel 21 which reaches over 30 different communities.