Monticello UPC

About the year of 1956, Brother J. D. Milner, a Pentecostal tent revivalist, began holding services in a tent which he had set up on Columbia Street in Monticello, Mississippi. After a short period of time, another minister, Brother James Mason, began attending these services. As Brother Milner decided to move on to another location to continue his ministry, Brother Mason felt a burden to carry on the ministry in Monticello. When this transition took place, Brother Milner sold the tent to Brother Mason. After a short period of time, the tent had holes in the roof and was not useful. An exceedingly kind man, Mr. Grover Hammond, made available to the congregation a vacant house that was located across the street from where the tent had been. Brother Mason and the congregation were very thankful for Mr. Hammond’s consideration toward them.

In 1957, Brother James Mason had a burden to build a church. The congregation then purchased some land on the outskirts of town and began the construction of the building. Brother Mason suggested that since the land, upon which they were building the church, was on a rocky hill, they should name the church Rock Hill Pentecostal Church, which they did. The town eventually named the road Rock Hill Road.

Some of the men who were part of the church assisted in making the dream come true, as they contributed their time and labor until the structure was complete. Brother Lonnie Nations was a friend of Brother Mason and offered to help in building the church. During the construction process, it was overlooked that the structure needed braces, the lack of which caused the walls to spread out. While Brother Nations was on the roof that day, it started collapsing and he fell off the building and hurt his back. The braces were then installed, and the project was completed.

The dedication service for that church was held in 1958. Brother James Mason resigned as pastor of the church in 1966. Shortly after, in that same year, Brother M.O. Martin Sr. was elected to fill this role. When Brother Martin became Pastor, the church was a block building. Some of the men bricked in the building and did some renovations inside. The foyer, two rooms, and the nursery were built, along with the double entrance doors being installed. Also, in the room at the back of the church, he had restrooms installed, cabinets and a stove put in the kitchen. There is a cross in an opening at the front of the church that Brother Martin installed. He served as the Pastor for 13 years, and during this time he had the name of the church changed from Rock Hill Pentecostal Church to Monticello United Pentecostal Church.

Following Brother Martin, Brother Kenny King served almost a year before his resignation in 1980. In August 1980, Brother James Rushing was elected Pastor. While he was with us, he was responsible for laying the sidewalks on each side of the sanctuary. He also contacted another church, from which we purchased pews, the pulpit and memory table. In 1980 Brother Rushing resigned and moved to Ackerman, Mississippi.

In January 1989, Brother Glynn Hilton was elected pastor. Brother Hilton began improvements and upgrades to the church. At that time, there was no baptistry in the facility, so any baptisms were done in a creek. He installed a baptistry and restructured the layout of the building, moving the restrooms to an area where Sunday School classes had been. Also, the kitchen was rearranged, making more room in the fellowship hall. Cosmetic upgrades were done as well in the sanctuary a few years later.

Brother Hilton served as pastor until 1997. Brother Billy Sanders was chosen to serve in this capacity. He served as pastor for approximately eleven months, after which time he resigned and moved back to his hometown, Carthage, Mississippi.

Brother Glynn Hilton was re-elected in November 1998. A building was purchased to be used as an office, but converting it to a Sunday School class. Later, a second building was constructed to enhance the growth of the Sunday School department.

One night about 15 years ago, Brother John Boone from Morgantown, Mississippi preached, and before the service was over, he felt impressed that the church members needed to make pledges toward building a new church. For many years, Brother Hilton had a vision of a church on a hill. When Brother Lon Keen and his family came to be a part of the church family, he also had a vision of a new facility being built. The pledges that were received at Brother Boone’s suggestion totaled approximately $30,000.00.

Later, a man named Brian Lambert and his family began attending church. Brian went by the nickname “Biscuit” developed a close relationship with Pastor Hilton. Much to our dismay, we later learned that Brian lost his dear mother. It was through a connection with Brian’s uncle and Brother Hilton that the church was given the opportunity to purchase 15 ½ acres of land where the new church facility presently sits.

At the beginning of the project, Brother Jimmy Tyrone came and did the dirt work. A workday was called and several men, including Lon Keen, Bernie Reed, Lance McLeod, Michael Paul Dunn and P. Joe Reid joined together and made great progress. One Saturday, several retired contractors from Monticello Baptist Church volunteered their time and made great progress in that one day. Brother Jerry Rutland spent many hours in construction of the new church building. Bill Ogletree was responsible for pouring the slab. Ben Reid erected the building. Bernie Reed paid for having the building erected. Ben Reid’s dad contributed $500.00 per month for quite a while. Ken Bailey and Lawrence County Building Supply donated money and materials. Kristian Agoglia donated $25,000.00 toward this endeavor. Brother Matt Walker donated the beautiful waterfall in the ladies prayer room. Rodney Barnett added to the front of the structure that had been constructed, bringing to fruition his dream of helping to build our church. After the structure was erected, Mike Barnett, Tommy Barnett, Kevin Barnett, and George King spent many hours working to complete the inside. D & B Sand and Gravel did the asphalt work at a much lower rate than normal. The parking lot work was performed by Ian Douglas. The men of the church installed the parking lot lights. Magee Music set up our sound system. Our pews were purchased from Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church. Later, they were re-covered. The columns, pulpit and interior woodwork was done by Mike Barnett and Kevin Barnett. John Taylor and Paul Hux put forth much effort toward various stages of the completion of this beautiful new facility.

Prior to beginning the new church building a local businessman Bernie Reed was beginning Reed Metal in Brookhaven, Mississippi. to whom Pastor Hilton had befriended and even went to his business when it was in the infant stage and pour anointing oil around the outside of the building praying that God would make his business profitable. God did bless this businessman and “Reeds Metal” Brookhaven, Mississippi, which he later expanded offices into other locations in other states.

When the church building was completed $250,000.00 was owed on the church. Businessman Bernie Reed, realizing that God had shown favor to him in making his business successful, felt in his heart to show his appreciation for God’s favor. Therefore, he went to the bank and paid off the $250,000.00 loan.
The new church facility was dedicated to the Lord and is open to preaching the Gospel for lost souls to find salvation. Through the process of time from 1956 the church went from the old tent to the brick building, then to our “Miracle on The Hill”. To God be the Glory!!!

In 2023, Pastor Hilton retired, and Brother Jessie and Sister Tiffanye Givens became Pastor.