The Little River Baptist Church was established when settlers gathered in
the home of Josiah and Seleta Lester on the Saturday before the first Sunday of
July 1849. Z. N. Morrell was named the first pastor. The church was to become the center of social, as well as,
religious, life in the community.
In the late 1850's, Mrs. Z. N. Morrell gave several acres of
land to the church. Following the
Civil War, a building committee was formed.
Church members constructed the building when they could find time from
their farm work. The Masonic Lodge
of the community participated in the building program and in 1873,
thirty-fours after its founding, the church occupied a new building.
Later that year, the cemetery was established.
That building served the congregation and community for many
years. In 1895, the church had the largest
congregation in the county. It was evident
that a larger building was needed so a
building committee had been formed by the end of 1906.
In February 1907 the
proposed building was described as "a
frame building, 34 X 56 X 16 foot walls, nine windows, Gothic style, five on one
side, four on the other. Three
doors, two in end and one in the side.
An
elevated circular pulpit with arch above and windows in rear, one large and two
small..." The new building was first used for services in December 1907.
Through several decades, various improvements
include a cooling system, drinking facilities, concrete porch and steps, indoor
restrooms and improved parking. In
1971, a historical marker for the church and cemetery was erected on the grounds.
(This history
is based on information in a booklet printed for the 150th anniversary celebration of
the Little River Baptist Church.)
