Second Baptist M.B. Church Groundbreaking

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — The legacy of Second Baptist Missionary Church is still progressing and moving forward after over 125 years in Oktibbeha County, they are now building a new church to help with their expansion.

Second Baptist is the oldest African American church in Okitbbeha County, and Sunday, the church hosted their groundbreaking ceremony of their new building.

“Awe man just a historical occasion,” Pastor Joseph Stone Jr. said.

“This is truly a special day in the life of Second Baptist, but it’s also a special day in the life of the city of Starkville,” Mayor Parker Wiseman said.

Second Baptist has been a pillar in Okitbbeha County for over 125 years.
The church currently sits on Yeates street, where it has been for the past 60 years. Through the years, the faces in the church may have changed, but the church itself, has always remained a staple in the community.

“It has meant so much to me. I have grown so much as a Christian from being a member of Second Baptist church,” Second Baptist church member Bettye Ford said.

The church is currently under the leadership of Pastor Joseph Stone Jr., who has been there for 5 years.

“My goal as a minister of the gospel is to do what Jesus did and make ourselves available, and make ourselves open to everyone that needs the good news of Jesus Christ,” Stone said.

The new church will be located right next to its current building. The sanctuary will be double the size it is now, and will sit approximately 550 people.
“With the expansion of the new church it’s going to enable us to do greater things for the ministry and greater things for our community,” Stone said.

When it comes to adding to the church’s legacy, Stone said he believes the new building will continue to help the mission and growth of the church.

“Our goal is to continue to be a resource for the community, to be a beacon of life for people to know there’s still hope to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to be a place where hurt people can come to find healing for themselves,” Stone said

The new church is expected to be complete and ready for use late next summer.