Working for our Lord!
Our Humble Beginnings
On Sunday, January 5, 1902, a group of pioneer citizens living in the Gordon School Community, Beat 2, Newton County, Mississippi, met at the Gordon School House and organized a Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Rube Cleveland Served as Moderator. There were eleven Charter members namely: Jim (J.M.) and Betty Herrington, Tom (T.J.) and Barbara Smith, John (J.W.) and Delta Smith, Gene (E.Y.) and Nettie Gordon, Bill (W.E.) and Mollie Gordon and Ada Smith.
W.F. Gordon was elected Church Clerk. He served in this capacity for 45 years -- until his death in November 1947. J.M. Herrington was elected deacon and served until his death in July 1932. He was also elected first Sunday School Superintendent serving in this position for many years. The Church had no name in the beginning. Mrs. Nettie Gordon was appointed Chairman of the Naming Committee. A building and location committee was appointed. This consisted of all male members. The members decided to use the Gordon School House as a meeting place until a church could be built. Reverend Rube Cleveland was called as the first Pastor.
In a few days the Committees met. After some discussion at the suggestion of Mrs. Nettie Gordon the name "Greenland" was adopted -- and Greenland Baptist Church came into being. One member had suggested "Antioch" but withdrew this name in favor of "Greenland." The Location Committee selected a church site about a quarter of a mile North of the Gordon School House on the Edinburg/Enterprise Road. This site is 3 1/2 miles southeast of Union. The church was to be on the West side of the road. A site for a grave yard on the East. The land for the church and cemetery sites was very graciously donated by Tom Smith and Chris Cox. The Building Committee got busy. Plans were made and a blueprint drawn for the church. The Greenland Community went all out for the church. Possibly one of the most enthusiastic members of the Building Committee was Gene Gordon. He announced with great enthusiasm in his community and the surrounding communities: "Folks we are building a church at Greenland! If you can help us we will appreciate it!" His announcement was inspiring. Other people were stirred by his enthusiasm. On the North was County Line Baptist Church; on the West Rock Creek and Pleasant Grove -- help came freely from all directions. There was the sound of axes, hammers, saws, and planes and in a few weeks the church was ready for occupancy. Greenland Church built with prayer, faith, labor, and generosity! Greenland Church that was to grow through the years!
The Church Days adopted -- the first Saturday and Sunday in each month. The Annual Revival was set for the first week in August. During the Revivals members and friends from surrounding churches would flock to Greenland to take part in the services. They always found a warm welcome!
Some Pastors that served Greenland during the years: Rube Cleveland, Jesse Nelson, W.L. Collins (over 30 years), Otis Swearington, Clyde Bufkin (11 years), Edgar Ray Killens, Elmo Sharp, Bobby Ferguson, William Walker, Barron Pilgrim, Carey Smith, Joe Hennington, and present pastor: David Earl Robinson. Intern Pastor was Brother Bush.
Some helping preachers during Revivals during the years: Rube Cleveland, Sam Chesney, George Breland, Eugene Breland, Henry White, L.E. Lightsy, Eugene Stephens, Earl Moore, A.B. Culpepper, Truly Reynolds, R.W. Langham, Walter Langham, William Collins, Blind Preacher Harvy, Joe Laird, Otis Swearington, Martin Nelson, Clyde Bufkin, O.R. Mosley, Raymond Herrington, and G.O. Parker and Brother Hill.
Some Deacons during the years: J.M. Herrington, M.W. Langham, Jesse Smith, A.A. Winstead, Joe Herrington, George Herrington, Willie Smith, Eugene Matlock, Wilton Chisolm, Roger Cox, William Munn, W.L. Riser, Coyt Watkins.
Sunday School Superintendents: J.M. Herrington, E.D. Gordon, W.W. Rucker, Jesse Smith, William Collins, George Herrington, Willie Smith, Otho Matlock, Charlie Truhitt, and Delmer Smith.
Church Clerks: W.E. Gordon, Mrs. O.J. Gordon, Jr., Panola Munn, Orance Ethridge, and Willie Smith.
Ordained Ministers: Walter Langham, William Collins.
Licensed Mister: E.O. Gordon.
Singing School Teachers: Walter Walden, Dozier Smith, Clifton Rucker, Mack Rowell, Ned Holder.
Much information in the article is from memory. Some names used in the different categories may not be in sequence.
Baptizing Places: Butts Creek, John Johnson's Pasture, Doss Gordon's pasture, Clifford Cox's Pond, O.J. Gordon, Jr.'s pond and Otho Matlock's pond.
The Oktibbeha Baptist Association was held at Greenland for the years 1913, 1936, and 1954. The Annual Memorial Singing has been held here first in May then in April. Established in 1921.
In addition to Religious Services, Greenland has served as a mecca for reunions, community gatherings, demonstration clubs and other activities. The Annual Gordon reunion is held here every second Sunday in June.
In 1948, a larger and more spacious church was built on the old site.
The influence of the Charter members live on: The late Joe Herrington who served as Deacon was th e son of the late J.M. Herrington. George Herrington who served as Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon is the some of J.M. Herrington. William Munn and Delmer Smith who served as Deacons and as Sunday School Superintendents of Greenland and Dr. Raymond Herrington who was the Pastor of Temple Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi, are the grandsons of J.M. Herrington.
The late Willie Smith who served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and Church Clerk was the son of Tom Smith. Dozier Smith the Singer and Reverend B.L. Smith who was the Pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Hattisburg, Mississippi, ate the son and grandson (respectively) of John W. Smith.
Dr. Arnold F. Nelson who was the Baptist Field Evangelist for Western Louisiana, was the grandson of Bill Gordon.
The first person buried in Greenland Cemetery was James Cox. He was an Englishman who at the age of 13 came to Georgia, a few years later he married Catherine Garden. In the process of time he and family moved to Beat 2, Newton County, Mississippi. He died October 14, 1903. For some time he was the "Lone Pilgrim" in the graveyard. His loved ones set a Magnolia Tree at the head of his grave. He was a good man and his passing was much lamented.
The following Confederate Soldiers are buried in the Cemetery: Russell P. Rowell, William Crocker, and Eli Gordon.
All the Charter Members have passed on: The last surviving member was Mrs. Nettie Gordon who died in January 1960. Nine of the Charter members sleep at Greenland: Jim and Betty Herrington, Tom and Barbara Smith, Gene and Nettie Gordon, Bill and Mollie Gordon, and Ada Smith White. John and Delta Smith rest at Little Rock Baptist Church.
Today Greenland Church stands ever growing in spirit and ever pointing the lost and wayward to salvation and Jesus Christ.
--Updated 2008
Original article author was Elby O. Gordon, 1964.
More history will be added as it is compiled.