FPC Leaksville

In 1945, there was a small group of people in Leakesville, some of whom had received the Holy Ghost in revivals at Mt. Pisgah. They were having cottage prayer meetings and decided it was time to start a church. By 1947, they had purchased property to build the church. It was located on the north side of the intersection of Highways 63 and 57 in town. Included in that group were Mr. & Mrs. L.L. Pierce, Roxie Neely, Lila Everette, Bertie Gray and one or two more.

Robert Crocker was Pastor of the church at Lucedale and was serving as Presbyter when Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee were one District. He was contacted by L.L. Pierce to come and set the church in order as a United Pentecostal Church. This was accomplished in the living room of the Pierces' home in 1947.

Damon Crawford was the first Pastor followed by A.A. Casselberry, then Dennis Beech. Five years had passed, and a one-room block building was the first church for this small congregation. A house had been started for a parsonage; it was unfinished on the inside with no indoor plumbing. In 1952, Robert Crocker was elected to be their Pastor. The Crocker family moved in and the church began to grow. Sunday School Classes were formed, and lessons were taught outside under the oak trees.

Sometime in the latter part of 1952, property on the southwest side of the intersection was purchased to build a new facility. The work on the new building was finished in 1955. The last thing to be done before moving in was painting the baptistry scene. Over the years, God richly blessed. The Sanctuary has been remodeled at least three times. Several additions have been accomplished to include: A Fellowship Hall with restrooms, upstairs Sunday School Rooms with restrooms, Foyer and Office with restrooms, and a drive through connected to the Fellowship Hall. The church purchased additional property joining the back of the property so as not to become land locked.

During this time, the church has enjoyed great times, and probably like many others, some of the lean times as well. Overall, the blessings of God outweigh all the lean times. The church has experienced many great revivals with many of the following ministers: Ray Johnson, E.L. Johnson, Charles Killingsworth, G.C. Killingsworth, Royce Odom, W.E. Gamblin, D.L. Welch, Mark Winters, Mark Dooley, Jerry Hamilton, Wayne Wilson, Robert Glass, George Smith, Jerry Jones, Jerry Dillon, Buford Sims, Jerry Sullivan, Tim Sullivan, Darryl Harris, and many more. Many lives have been changed, of which some are still living for God and many have already gone to be with Him.

In 1979, at a business meeting presided over by Presbyter Royce Odom, Irvis Everette was elected by the church to be co-pastor with Pastor Crocker. Crocker’s health began to fail, and after a long, powerful, successful ministry, God took him home. Irvis remarked, “I can only hope and pray that my ministry will be in the far-reaching shadows of his ministry. Since June of 1984, my wife and I have been trying to carry on the work of the Lord in Leakesville. We are blessed to be the pastor of a loving and thoughtful congregation--people we love dearly. They love us and love one another, which simply shows they love God.”

The church has been a progressive church. Looking over the history of the church, all can see its progress from outside classrooms and baptisms at the creek to the nice air conditioned rooms and inside baptistry, padded pews, carpet on the floor, new furniture, central heat and air and a multitude of other blessings. Their greatest of blessings is the Holy Ghost heritage they cherish greatly.

At First United Pentecostal Church of Leakesville, some may remember the days of the block building church, being taken to church and being taught the truth of God’s Word.

The church experienced many changes of material things through the years, but Thank God, the message of Salvation and Holiness remains unchanged.

The church looks forward to laboring in the vineyard until Jesus comes. Currently, Rev. Iris Everette serves as Bishop and Rev. & Sis. Myron Shilling serve as Pastor.