Sunday, May 21, 2000
Sunday, May 21, 2000 |
Of the approximate 110 churches currently in the county, 25 of those date back to the 19th century and Little Vine Baptist Church is one of those. Begun in May, 1888 in the Tyrone community, the building was made of planks and framed with logs and boards. The top was covered with shingles, pillars were made of old red bricks and windows were made of boards of wood which opened on hinges. Old chains were used to close them. Old benches and chairs were donated by members. A large wooden heater was put in the middle of the church and a well was dug to supply water. As years passed, this church also served as the school for the black children in the community. Family names of these early members include Dorsey, Belt, Lewis, North, Astin and Shropshire. The membership has grown from a few dozen to nearly 250 and, as is the case in Fayette County, they are hoping to build a new sanctuary in the foreseeable future. One of its mission programs is the feeding of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 each month at various sites, such as battered women and homeless shelters. The food is cooked at the church and then transported, requiring many volunteers. If you are interested in helping, they sure would like to hear from you. The men's retreat will be June 9 at Callaway Gardens; July 30 members will head to Walt Disney World; HABIT, Health and Bible Incorporated Together, is a program to lose weight according to the scriptures and is offered each Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Non-church members are also welcome. Little Vine's pastor is the Rev. R. L. Jones, who was born and reared in Cordele, Wilcox County. He is a graduate of the Turner Theological Seminary in Macon. He has pastored in Macon, Hawkinsville and Thomaston and has been at Little Vine for 11 years. He has been married to Betty since 1989 and they are the parents of Brittni, age 5. Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m., the worship service is at 10:45 a.m., adult choir rehearsal is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Bible study is Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m., and a Friday night worship service is conducted from 7 - 8 p.m. The church is at 115 Handley Road, Tyrone, and can be reached at 770-487-4686.
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