History Of Rison Baptist Church

    The Rison Baptist Church was organized in 1886 with the following charter members:  T. C. Duce, William Harper, Alice Harper, Fannie Harper, Mary Harvey, E. D. Tate, F. C. Tate, M. G. Gate, Cornelia Baggett, _____ Baggett, J. L. Baggett, Alice Baggett and Louisa McMurtrey.  Some of these came from Bethel and Toledo churches to help this new church and as the membership increased they returned to their respective churches. 

  The church was organized in the school building, which was used by the church for a few years, and was on the same site as the present church building.  Then a new church building was erected on a site which is now 302 Sycamore Street.

  Some of the pioneer preachers who preached for the church were Rev. J. H. W. Overton, Rev. T. J. Varnell and Rev. W. H. Cash.

    In June, 1890, a Sunday School was organized with an enrollment of 50.  And in July, 1890, Rev. O. M. Lucas was called as pastor for half time.  The first church was dedicated October 12, 1890.  The first clerk on record was I. B. Williams, Sr..  The first record of this church sending messengers to an association was September, 1890, when the Friendship Association met with the 6th Avenue Baptist Church in Pine Bluff.  The messengers were J. M. Vick, W. B. Sadler and I. B. Williams, Sr..  Also, in October, 1890, the first deacons were ordained.  They were Dr. J. S. McMurtrey, J. M. M. Tucker and W. B. Sadler.

    In October, 1891, Rev. D. E. Gambrell was called as pastor.  The church voted to withdraw from State Mission Board aid and just have preaching once a month.  In January, 1891, the church granted a license to preach the gospel to J. M. M. Tucker.  In 1894, J. L. Lee was ordained as a deacon.

    In February, 1896, R.D. Wilson was called as pastor and he served one year and was succeeded by Rev. B.F. Milam in February, 1897.  In February, 1899, Rev. S. P. Davis was called to serve as pastor for the remainder of the year.