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A Brief History of Lee's Chapel No. 2 Baptist Church
Note! The basis of this history is from a book Ola Baker Preface We all like to know where we came from, who our ancestors were, and some of the life before us. I felt impressed to put this book together so the younger generation will know why the church was started here. I was born in Leetown, grew up here and never moved away. It was real early in my life that I realized the importance of going to church. The first memory of a church was in 1922 when I was four years old. My sister Evie Ann, who was two years older than me, died of epilepsy. It was at her funeral that I realized about a church. I was only four years old, but the impact made a lasting impression on my mind. Beautiful Isle of Somewhere was sung at her funeral. My parents, Hugh and Stella Lee were members of Union Baptist Church at Caesar where the funeral was held. We went to church there until our church was organized in 1928. I wrote this history of our church for the younger generation so they will know why and when our church was established. I believe God directed the men who saw the need for a church here and the forty charter members whose aim and principles were united to carry out the mission of Christ. Our church is a standing monument that was set up to keep alive the work of Christ and his mission to the world. It is not the structure of the building that is lasting, but its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ and the people who have put their trust in Jesus that keeps the church here. Without him, we can do nothing. I could not have done this without the encouragement and advice of my husband, David Baker. My daughter and son-in-law, John and Vivian McDonald have given their time and help in typing. I also want to thank the many church members and friends who gave me pictures to make the history complete and to preserve its value. Brother Lawson L. Lee Sometime before our church was organized, Brother Lawson Lee started teaching Sunday School in our old Leetown School house. He was a Bible scholar who was able to teach the truth. He and his wife, Aunt Maggie, would walk from the present Bud Lee Road to the old school house located on the slope just south of the pastor's home on Sunday afternoon to teach Sunday School. His granddaughter, Mrs. Helen Frierson, told me she walked with them. Mittie Lee was her Card teacher (the Card class was a pre-school class). Uncle Lawson was the one who planted a seed that grew into our church of today. LEE'S CHAPEL # 2 BAPTIST CHURCH was organized on January 15,1928 as Lee's Chapel. It was later learn that there was was another Lee's chapel out from McNeill, MS, so the name was changed to Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church. Brother D.V. Jones Brother D.V. Jones, our first pastor, was a dedicated spiritual leader of our church. He was a faithful man of God who served as pastor of our church from 1928 until November, 1937. He drove from Lumberton once a month until March 25, 1933 when they started having church two times a month (the second and fourth weekends). He drove a Model T Ford Roadster (a one-seated car) for several years. Everyone loved and respected him as a devoted man of God.He was called back as pastor again on January 24, 1943 and served until 1945. He later preached one revival here. The stock market fell in 1929 and brought on the great depression that hit our community as well as all other people. There was little money in circulation at that time. Since money was so scarce the compensation for Brother Jones as scarce also. He sometimes received corn, potatoes, syrup, pork or other meat for his support. There was once a storehouse at Uncle Alex Lee's home for the church. People would carry staple food there to be stored for the pastor or for other people who were in dire need. There were so many who barely got by. Neighbors usually shared what they had with others with a kind spirit. Charter members of Lee's Chapel Mittie Lee, Mary Jane Lee, Leonard Stockstill, Rosa Stockstill, Leonard J. Lee, Ford Smith, Mrs.Maggie Mitchell, Hatie Lee, Mary Lee, Thomas W.Lee, Maggie Lee, Emma Smith Culbert Lee, Harbert Lee, Payton L. Lee, Marvis Lee, Stella Lee, Jessie Stockstill, Virgil Lee, Lourenie Lee, Rufus Lee, Roger S. Lee, Elsie Lee, Heber Lee, Labron Lee, L.L.Lee Jr., Mrs. Elsie Lee, Virgil Lee, Mrs. Laurenie Lee, Woodrae Lee, Myrtie May Smith, Mrs. Elizalieth Lee, Mrs. Stella Lee, Mrs. Lovella Smith, Alex Lee, Hugh Lee, Payton W. Lee, Mrs. Dorothy Lee, Charlie L. Lee, Mrs. Ruth Lee, Virginia V. Lee, Ducie Lee, Clifton Lee, Louvenia Smith, Richmond C. Smith, Zach Lee, Thomas T. Lee, Verner Stockstill, Vera Stockstill, DEACONS These five men were the first deacons ordained at Lee's Chapel #2 on January 15, 1928. In 1934 Luther Baker was ordained as deacon. Hugh Lee was ordained as a deacon on February 23, 1946. Others that were ordained as deacons were Harbert Lee, Bill Palmer, L. O. Marshall and Grady Lee who along with their wives served the church faithful in all areas of the ministry of the church. The deacons presently serving in our church are dedicated men of God, who along with their wives are faithful in church services, teaching ministry, visiting ministry and other ministries of our church. The deacons are: C. J. Lee, Roland Lee Jr., Lawson Lee, Mike Reeves, Rob Brignac, James Mitchell, David Baker Terry Lee and Roland Lee, Sr. Church Clerks Bro. Richmond Smith was the first church clerk. Brother Culbert Lee was elected clerk in Mr. Richmond's place. Brother Culbert Lee was clerk for 12 years (until 1946). David Baker was elected in 1946 to serve as clerk for 25 years. C. J. Lee has served as church clerk from 1968 until the present time. Pastors: Brother C. D. Arnold Brother E. B. Toney Brother George Stockstill Brother Jake Johnson Brother J. B. Stonecypher Brother John E. Moore Pastoring has changed a lot in the past half century. On one occasion, beginning around 1941, Bro. Moore pastored four churches at one time until he took Lee's Chapel in 1949. Even then he also preached for Shiloh at Necaise Crossing and at Bogalusa on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon while they needed him. Brother Moore was our beloved pastor for a total of 28 years. Brother Dosson Lavell Lee He was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry December 12, 1969 by Parkway Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA at the request of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Rayville, LA. He pastored the following churches: He and his good wife, Myria serve our church faithfully in all things. Brother Rico Lee A Gifted Teacher in God's Word: L. G. VARNADO First Church Building The land for the new building was donated by Thomas and Elizabeth Lee who lived close by the church The first church building was built and ready for the fall revival in 1929. There were no electric lights or heat, or air conditioning for the building. We used kerosene lamps for light. A wood heater was used for heat. The men would have wood ready for the stove, so we could have heat for the worship service. We used song books, McDonald Funeral Home fans and even paste board to fan ourselves to try to keep cool when the weather was hot. We had lots of windows in the building that were kept open to circulate the air through the building. They were all closed during cold weather so we could keep warm with the one wood heater we had. We didn't get electricity until 1939 for the church. The building was spacious for our congregation at that time. The building was built by the men of the church. Luther Baker built the pews for the building. The fall revival was held on the 4th Sunday of September. A crowd gathered during the week before the revival to clean the new building and the lawn. Everyone was excited that the new building was ready for the fall revival. While all the work was going on Labron Lee and Myrtie Mae Smith came to have their wedding in the new building. Heber Lee and Jessie Stockstill were their attendants. They came all dressed up for the wedding. Everyone went into building dressed as they were in their everyday clothes to see the wedding. The wedding was performed by our pastor, D. V. Jones. That was the first service held in the new building. The first funeral held in the new building was for Stella Lee who died January 25, 1930. At revival time we usually had two services on Sunday. There was a table behind the church where food was spread by all who wanted to stay for lunch. Each person had to bring his plate and fork to eat with. If you had water, you had to bring it for the family. There was no well at that time. Some walked a little ways to Thomas and Elizabeth's house for water. They lived a short distance from the church. There was at that time a state association held with our church (or a local association). There had to be lots of food brought and coffee was made in a wash pot over the fire on the outside. Lemonade was made in a washtub with a big block of ice in it to make it cold. There had to be cups and glasses furnished by members to drink out of. There were no paper cups and plates bought at that time. It was a joyful time and it was no bother to anyone to bring supplies for the occasion. It was a wonderful experience for the church folks to be able to entertain the association. Bread was baked for the meeting because loaf bread was not bought at that time. Pies, cakes, and all the food was prepared at home for the meetings. We observed the Lord's Supper once a year as we do now. There was a glass of grape juice passed around and everyone took a sip from the glass. Several years later the Ladies Auxiliary bought individual cups to be used for the Lord's Supper. Bread for the occasion was baked at home as it is today. At that time we had Foot Washing after observing the Lord's Supper. The men would wash each others feet while the ladies washed each others feet. It was a solemn occasion, and the purpose was to follow Jesus' example when he washed the disciples feet. Several years later when the Ladies Auxiliary was organized in our church we bought individual cups to be used for the Lord's Supper. Baptisms Before we had a baptistry in our church the baptisms were done in Catahoula Creek The cemetary land was donated by Bro. Zack Lee and his wife Lorraine. Mrs. Young also donated some of the land. The first one buried in our cemetary was Mrs. Virginia Lee in 1948. Bro. Harvey Lee was the second one to be buried here and Mrs. Rebecca Baker was buried here in 1951 to become the third one. On December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed. Our naval base was damaged badly and several thousand men lost their lives there. This brought on anxiety and suffering. Many men from our church and community were called into the armed forces. Husbands and sons had to leave home not knowing what the future held for them. There was a long poster board placed behind the pulpit with John 15:13 written in big letters so all could see it. The verse was: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. It was a reminder how we all should love one another and pray for the men in armed forces. It was also a reminder that it was not in vain that men had to go away from home to fight for the freedom of his country and family. It was also a reminder that we should reach out to others in need and offer help and encouragement. Many went to the altar to pray for the men. God in Heaven saw fit for the enemy to be overcome and destroyed. Only one man from our community lost his life in battle in World War II. Hollis Smith gave his life for what we enjoy now: the freedom of worship and to own a home and property. He was so missed by family and friends. The Korean War was later and several men from our church went to defend our country and to help overcome the enemy of freedom. They all came home. Their names were written on a poster board to remind people to pray for them and their safe return home. The Second Church Building The second building was started in 1947. The old church building was town down to the lumber could be used to build the second building. While the building was being build, we had church services in the Leetown School house. We had at least two revival meetings in the school house along with regular services. The work on the building was mostly done by faithful members. Brother Charlie Lee was a masonry so he was able to put up the blocks for the building. There were several who assisted him with the work. Luther Baker was the main carpenter. He, along with other men did the carpenter work. He was so faithful that some people called him Noah. They would say: Listen wife, old Noah is driving nails. There were so many faithful men who would work all day in the field and then go to work awhile at night on the building. Men who had public jobs would also work on the church building at night. There were a lot of donations done by people of the church. Archie and Vernice Lee had long beams cut from big trees that grew on their place to be used in the building. They are the parents of Virginia Pouncey, Floy Pearson, Mary Lou Shoemake and Louise. Mr. & Mrs. Jarrell (Della Mae Kendrick's parents) had a large cedar tree cut and made into lumber. The lumber was used to make a beautiful pulpit and table for the new building. It is still being used today. The pulpit is in the men's Sunday School room, and the table is used for the secretary of the Sunday School. Julia and Louis McCormick bought the baptistry and the painting behind the baptistry. Mrs. Bertha Ladner painted the picture. They are still used in our present building. Miss Nell McCormick paid for a water well to be put down while we were in the second building. This was a great blessing for the church to have water for the new baptistry, and was a lot of help in keeping the building clean. Most of the cleaning was done by volunteer workers at that time. Dr. Etta McCormick bought the organ for the church. She also bought the hurricane fence we now have around the cemetery. Sometime during that time an educational building was built behind the church building. That building was a great blessing for Sunday School classes and also for summer Bible School. Present Church Building Our present church building was built from 1968 through 1971. There were a lot of volunteer faithful workers who worked hard to accomplish the task of the building. There were also some hired workers that we paid a fee to work. The brick was laid by a brick masonry who was paid by the church. Hurricane Camille came on August 17, 1969 and did a lot of damage to our new building. It took a lot of time and money to restore the damage done by Camille. Other churches sent money to help bear the load of repairing the damaged building. Bro. Moore was our pastor when this building was built. We had a dedication service for the new building not long after it was built. The pews were bought by people who donated some of the money. Their names are on the pews. Some who bought pews remained anonymous and did not want their names on the pews. The first wedding held in the new building was J. E. Moore and Betty McNeese. F. J. Lee was nominated to oversee and supervise the building of a Fellowship Hall. We had a dedication service after it was completed. Mr. & Mrs. Earl Walker bought the piano that is in the Fellowship Hall. A lot of the supplies like dishes, pots and pans were donated. Later the nursery was built. If you have done the best you can and are not mentioned here, remember God knows all the nails that were driven and hours spent on building that God won't overlook. Even if you give a cup of cold water in His name you won't lose your reward. Many men worked overtime to accomplish this building. ASSOCIATION AFFILIATION During the early life of our church we were active in the Red Creek Association, and for some reason we left the Red Creek Association and joined the Louisiana State Line Association. Years later the Hobolochitto Association was reorganized. It had once been an active association but for some reason had disbanded. According to Laura Evans in In That Time. (the story of Caesar Community and its church), Union Baptist Church belonged to the Hobolochitto Association during the 1800's. She didn't mention when Union no longer belonged to the Hobolochitto. After the Hobolochitto Association was reorganized Lee's Chapel joined the association. Today the association is comprised of about twenty-two or more churches to carry out missions to the world. Lee's Chapel Baptist Church belongs to the Baptist Missionary Association of America. This national association has sent thirty-four missionaries to many foreign lands to witness for Jesus and carry out the Great Commission Jesus commanded the church to do. The B.M.A. has sent fifteen or more Interstate Missionaries to witness and build new churches in America. The B.M.A. has national missionaries in foreign lands that we support and pray for. Those native missionaries are in Africa, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Costa Rico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Nicaragua, Philippines, Portugal, Taiwan and Uruguay. They are witnessing to the lost, and building churches. Music Before our church was organized we had singing schools taught in the old school house. Some of the men who taught singing schools were Washington (Wash) Lee, Professor Voss, Zack Lee, James Voss, Claude Walker, Mrs. Elsie Kennedy and Bro. Arthur Smith. The church used men of the church to direct the choir. Zack Lee was our choir director a long time. Jimmy Lee, Culbert Lee, Donnie Lee, F. J. Lee, David Baker, Adron Pouncey, Jr., Steve Lee, Rebert Lee and Joel Lee all served by leading singing. Youth singing groups were led by Virginia Pouncey, Edith Lee, Elaine Lee and others. Irene baker was the pianist for the children's choir. Aleisha Reeves is the pianist at the present time for the Children's choir. There were several quartettes through the years. Uncle Roger Lee, Culbert Lee, Clifton Lee and Zack Lee was one group. Another quartette was Jimmy Lee, Effie Lee, Luther Baker and Willie Lee. There was a mens group several years later called the Bifocals (David Baker, Bill Kendrick, Earl Walker, Adron Pouncey and F. J. Lee). There were several other groups who did special music and singing. There was one trio that made a record made of their music "Had It Not Been". This trio was composed of Ella Rea, Celeste and Janice Fay. They did beautiful singing as their voices blended harmoniously. There were several young boys and girls who did special music. There were duets and trios through the years who did a good job with their blended voices. I am afraid to name some for fear there will be some left out. Our church has been blessed with special music and talents. We a have a young group now. They call themselves Chapel Singers. Brother Doug Lee was called as our music director in 1979. Before becoming our Music Director Brother Doug was a member of the Gospel Continentals singing group. Our music ministry has been blessed under Brother Doug's leadership. The Bell Choir was started under Bro. Doug's leadership. Doug and Diane have been going to the foreign missions fields for seventeen years teaching music. Some of the countries they have taught in are Honduras (three times), Bolivia (two times), and the Philippines (four times). They have taught keyboard and provided keyboards in these mission fields. Missions Lee's Chapel Baptist Church has been mission minded from the he time it was organized. At the first meeting, a collection of $16.32 was taken for missions. There were forty one members at that time. After the stock market fell in 1929 the collections were smaller due to the great depression that followed. In March 1928 the church sent a collection of $3.42 to the American Baptist Association for ten copies of the minutes. Lee's Chapel was active in local missions. When Bro. C. D. Arnold was our pastor, he, Brother Charlie Lee and several members visited the Wolf Creek community to try to revive a church which had not been active. The meeting was held at Bro. Rester's home. He was an elderly preacher who had struggled to keep up some work there. Bro. Charlie Lee preached there and sometime later a church was built. When Bro. D. V. Jones was pastoring here, our church lended a hand to Catahoula Community where once stood a church named Pleasant Hill. Bro. Arnold Spiers was a missionary in that community. Slowly a church was begun there. Mrs. Seals and her two daughters (Myrtis and Vivian) were faithful to attend. They first held services in the old Catahoula School building. Later a church was begun and through the years had several pastors including Bro. Jimmie Lee and Bro. Zack Lee. It stands as a strong church today with Bro. John Moore as pastor. When Bro. Ben Toney was our pastor we went to Benville community to witness and sing. A church was organized and through the years they had several pastors. Bro. J.V. Lee was a pastor there who helped the church grow. Now the church stands as a witness to all who see it. Bro. Richmond Smith drove his school bus to Picayune. Services were held in the Mt. Calvary area in homes. Later some of the local pastors organized a church there called Mt. Calvary. Lee's Chapel members with some preachers went to Bay St. Louis to witness. Church services were held in the Sick family home. There stands a church there now named Central Baptist Church. Bro. R. L. Lewis stayed there a few years. A pastor's home was built while Bro. Lewis was their pastor. Lee's Chapel #2 Reaching Futher out! One Sunday in his boys and girls Sunday School Class Brother Chester Lee prayed that missionaries would be called to spread the gospel. Travis Moore was in that class and was burdened for missions. In 1974 Brother Travis Moore and his wife Karen became the first BMA missionaries in the Philippines. The Open Door Baptist Church was established on the Island of Negros. Later Brother Doyle Moore, his wife Linda and their daughters joined the effort in the Philippines. Later other missionaries from the states joined them. We now have over 56 established churches in thePhilippines and a four year Bible Institute where young workers are trained. Ninety percent of the graduates of this college are active in pastoring churches. This has been one of the BMA's most successful foreign mission fields. This all began with a Sunday School teacher that was faithful in praying and asking God to send out laborers for his field from Lee's Chapel #2. Prisoners Bible Crusade The Prisoners Bible Crusade was born of a burden of Brother Chester C. Lee, a Christian lay-worker in the Leetown community east of Picayune. In 1972 the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that capital punishment was unconstitutional, meaning that states could not execute any one for crimes they had committed. The state of Florida seed that they were not going to abide by that ruling. At the time Florida had 92 men on death row in Raftered, Florida. This was big news at the time and Brother Chester hearing about the people on death row became burdened from God about them. He and his wife, Miss Effie went to the local TG&Y store and ordered 100 Bibles and sent them to the prison at Raiford in time for Christmas. God continued to burden them for people in prisons without Bibles, the Word of God. On May 4, 1973 they made a visit to the Union Prison at Raiford, met with the chaplain and spoke in the chapel to prison inmates. We count this trip as the beginning of the PBC. Recognizing the scriptural principal that Christ gave the Great Commission to the church, Prisoners Bible Crusade is an outreach of Lee's Chapel Baptist Church #2. We believe the Word of God has the answer for the crime and sin problems in the World and is the final authority in all things. Thousands of Bibles and Christian pamphlets have been distributed in prisons throughout the United States. Many visits have also been made to prisons by the current director of the Crusade, Brother Paul Lee and by the other board members, Brother Delano Lee, Brother Mike Reeves and Brother Luke Broom, Sr. Brother Z. T. Rankin is doing mission work and distributing Bibles in communist countries. Our church helps him each month with our prayers and offerings. Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church prayfully supports all phases of Local, State, National and Foreign Missions of the Baptist Missionary Association of America. CHURCH Ministries Women's Missionary Auxiliary The W.M.A. was organized in our church when Brother Toney was our pastor. Motto: Beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1: 5 - 7) Our desire is to help with the spread of the gospel through helping missionaries, pastors and fellow laborers. We also have compassion on the widows, orphans and other people who are in need and try to help them. Irene Baker was the secretary from 1940 until the time of her death December 13, 1994. Virginia Pouncey has been president several years. After Bro. Lavell Lee became our pastor there were several ministries set up in the church to serve people. Ministry of Mercy was a very good ministry. Mrs. Ollie (Pete) Lee and Lucille were the first to carry out this ministry. They did a wonderful job in showing mercy to people in need. They carried food, visited and called many to encourage the sick and suffering. Mrs. Pete stayed with it with the help of Celeste Redmond and Eula Lee until her health didn't allow her to serve. We have several women who gave their time and love to this ministry. Diane Brignac and Dorothy Smith are serving now. The church allows the ministry to spend $100 a month to help someone in need. They are serving in their hearts to help the needy. Senior Citizen's Ministry was started when Oma Dawsey and Janice Stockstill volunteered their services for senior citizens. They had help from other ladies who helped cook and prepare the meals. They cook a very good meal once a month to serve the older people. They also took the senior citizens to eat out occasionally and sometime on a sight seeing tour. The senior citizen's enjoy every time we meet together. The older people feel honored and love the ladies who are always so helpful. When we meet we have a devotion led by Brother R. T. Lee who is a blessing to all. We sing songs and some time have special music by Joel Lee and other men. The Girls Missionary Auxiliary has been very active in our church for many years, training young girls to be ambassadors for Christ. Motto: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ--II Corinthians 5:20. Our present G.A. leaders are Claudette Heasley, Betty Moore, Kathy Spiers, Diane Whitchurch, Barbara Lott and Linda Reeves. Sunday School has been an important ministry of our church since the church's beginning. We have had many faithful teachers since 1938. Many a faithful superintendent stood behind the pulpit to speak out for what is right and good for the people. The teachers and superintendents are too numerous to name today. Many have gone on to be with the Lord. Roland Lee Jr. is our present Sunday School Superintendent. He is also a deacon and is very faithful in the service of God. The B.T.S. ministry has been a part of our church for many years. This ministry is a training ministry in our church. The B.T.S. has had many faithful leaders who stood for the truth since its beginning. Brother Bob Redmond is our present B.T.S. director. God only knows how much good Sunday School and B.T.S. have done. The Nursery Ministry was started several years ago. Brother Bob Redmond and his wife Celeste, Ann Rester and others help in this ministry. The sound room ministry has been a great blessing to our church. Brother Lynn Ladner started this ministry several years ago. Lynn Ladner, Donald Ladner and Mike Reeves all have been very faithful in this ministry. The bus ministry was started several years ago by Brother Bob Redmond. Many men have served faithfully over the years in this ministry. Luke Broom Sr., Bob Redmond and presently serve in the bus ministry. And God Calls Men to the Gospel Ministry from Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church! Born 06-12-1898; Died 05-04-1971 Brother Charlie Lee was ordained as a deacon when the church was organized. He later surrendered to the ministry and was ordained to the ministry in September, 1930. He was a great expounder of the scriptures, was a leader among the churches of the old Hobolochitto Baptist Association. He pastored the following churches: Wolf Creek, Catahoula, Lee's Chapel #1, McHenry, Midway, Fairhope, Beaumont, Zion Rest, Sycamore and Mt. Carmel. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed life, his family, and his friends. (Brother Charlie Breland was ordained to take Bro. Charlie Lee's place as deacon in 1930 after Bro. Charlie surrendered to preach.) Brother Woodrow Lee Brother Woodrow Lee was ordained in September 1940 by Lee's Chapel #2. He was a Bible scholar who was able with his knowledge of the Bible to preach with great conviction. He did some mission work in his early years of his ministry. He was well educated and was a school teacher. Brother Arnold Spiers Brother Arnold Spiers was ordained 1940 by Lee's Chapel #2. He led mission work in this area. He organized Catahoula Church in 1941. He pastored Banks Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA and preached at other churches. Brother Woodrow Spiers Brother Woodrow Spiers was ordained September 22, 1940 by Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church to preach the gospel. In 1949 Brother Spiers left the Leetown community to begin a mission work in Baton Rouge, LA. That work resulted in the organization of Faith Missionary Baptist Church. Other work in Louisiana included the areas of Ponchatoula and St. Francisville. Through the years, Bro. Spiers did mission work in several other states, including extensive work in the states of California, Arkansas, New Mexico and Texas. A church was organized in the Mena, Arkansas area following several years of work there. The last church to be organized by Bro. Spiers was Unity Baptist Church in Channelview, TX. It was in Channelview that Bro. Spiers began to promote the importance of trained musicians in the church. He established a School of Gospel Music which continued for several years. During this time, people of all ages came from several states to study music theory, four-part harmony, directing, song writing, piano, voice and piano tuning. During this time also, Bro. Spiers encouraged people coast to coast to write gospel songs and provided an avenue for getting them published. He compiled and printed a church hymnal, The Masters Call Church Songs and Hymns, as well as two other smaller song books. Bro. Spiers also published for several years a religious newspaper, The Masters Call. This paper was a source of communication, devotion, and mission emphasis for churches and church members throughout the country. Bro. Spiers died in 1986 after dedicating most of the years of his life to the cause of Christ. He was known for his vision, his conviction, and his courage. When he became settled on what god wanted him to do, he went full speed ahead regardless of the obstacles to overcome. His wife, the former Helen Lee of Leetown still resides in Channel view and attends Unity Baptist Church. Brother Lamar Breland Brother Lamar Breland was ordained October 1941 by Lee's Chapel #2. He pastored Canaan Baptist Church and did some State Line Mission work. Brother Zack Lee Brother Zack Lee was ordained on June 27, 1943 by Lee's Chapel #2. He pastored several churches in Mississippi including Wolf Creek, Shiloh, Catahoula & Manner Community Church. He also pastored in Louisiana including St. James, Good Shepherd and Holden Baptist Church. He was a talented in music and led the choir at Lee's Chapel several years and taught singing schools. Brother James (Jimmie) Lee Brother James Lee was ordained on September 28, 1944 by Lee's Chapel #2. He pastored several churches in Mississippi including Lee's Chapel #1, Bethlehem, Hickory Grove and East Pearl. He was on the mission field for several years where he had the opportunity to preach at numerous churches. Brother Leo Lee Brother Leo Lee was ordained in the 1940's by Lee's Chapel #2. He pastored at Shiloh, Banks in Baton Rouge, Westlawn, Old Bethlehem, Oak Grove, Sycamore and Mill Creek. Westlawn Baptist Church at Picayune was started under his leadership. Brother J. V. Lee Brother J. V. Lee was ordained on August 22, 1959 by Lee's Chapel #2 to the full gospel ministry. He pastored several churches including Shiloh and Benville and ministered in a lot of other areas. He, Ruby and Claudette were faithful in the work of the Lord. His health failed while he was busy pasturing churches.
Brother Paul Edward Lee Brother Paul Lee was saved at his home in Jackson, MS on September 8, 1964 and was baptized by Southside Baptist Church in Jackson on September 13, 1964. While in Jackson married Gretchen Germany a registered nurse he had met. He surrendered to preach and was licensed to preach on July 27, 1966 by Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church. He then attended Southeastern Baptist College and was ordained to preach by the Calhoun Baptist Church in Laurel, MS on August 12, 1969. He then moved to Alexander, LA to pastor the Highland Park Baptist Church at Tioga, LA. While there, he attended Louisiana College where he received a BA degree in Religion in May 1974. He and Gretchen then moved to Leetown. He pastored Catahoula Baptist Church east of Picayune from June 29, 1975 until September 4, 1977. While there he began a Sunday morning radio program on WRJW for the Prisoner's Bible Crusade. He then pastored the Westlawn Baptist Church at Picayune from September 12, 1979 until August 8, 1983. He served as interim missionary pastor for the BMA of Mississippi to the Central Baptist Church at Bay St. Louis from February, 1986 until July, 1986. In 1986 he began teaching Bible Study Seminars in various churches in the area. He pastored the Old Spanish Trail Baptist Church in Bay St. Louis from July 15, 1990 until August 9, 1992. In August 1985 Brother Paul became the director of the Prisoners Bible Crusade. He has traveled to various churches to speak for the Crusade. He travels to numerous prisons in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas to preach and distribute Bibles free to prison inmates. Brother Travis Moore Brother Travis Moore was ordained as a minister of the gospel on May 25, 1969 by Lee's Chapel #2. He served as a pastor of a church in Louisiana. Brother Travis answered the call of God to go to the Philippines and preach the gospel of Christ. In 1974 Brother Travis and his wife, Karen became the first BMA missionaries in the Philippines. He established the Open Door Baptist Church on the Island of Negros in the Philippines. In 1997 the Philippines have over 56 established BMA churches. After returning to the States Brother Travis pastored a church in Brownsville, Texas. He currently pastors a church in California, working with the Filipino people of that area. Brother Doyle Moore Doyle Moore, born April 5, 1946, the son of Bro. & Mrs. John E. Moore, was save at Lee's Chapel #2 in 1966, at the end of the first sermon preached by his brother, Travis Moore. Doyle surrendered tot he ministry in 1967. He was licensed and preached his first sermon soon after that. August 17, 1968 at Lee's Chapel #2, he married the former Linda Rose Frierson, and began college at Southeastern Baptist College. There he felt the call to be a missionary, and began his preparation. He attended SBC for two years, then transferred to Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas in 1970. He graduated from Central with a BA in Bible. In September, 1971, he was ordained by Needs Creek Baptist Church of Greenbrier, near Conway, Arkansas, to be pastor of Cleveland Baptist Church, in the edge of the Ozark Mountains. He worked 40 hours a week in a grocery store, while pasturing and attending CBC, until his graduation in 1973. He continued to pastor Cleveland until April, 1974. In June, 1974, he accepted the pastorate of Valley View Baptist Church of Wynne, Arkansas, where he remained until he left to be a missionary in the Philippines. He surrendered to this call New Year's Eve, 1975, in Florida, where Bro. Bob Bowman was pasturing at that time. They were both elected to the mission field in April, 1976. Their oldest daughter, Kara, was born in Conway, June 22, 1972. Their twins, Rebecca and Rachel, were born July 25, 1975 in Wynne, Arkansas. The Moores arrived in the Philippines September 1, 1976, to begin a Bible College. Classes began in November that same year with seven students. Baptist Missionary Association Bible College had an enrollment last year of 66 students, and in all has graduated over 200 workers for the Lord. BMABC is accredited with the Philippine Association of Bible and Theological Schools, offering degrees in Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Religious Education, and Diploma in Church Ministries. In 1992 Bro. Doyle graduated from West Negros College with a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis in Educational Management. Bro. Doyle is in church planting and growth working directly with 29 churches and 18 missions on the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Mindanao, and Negros Occidental. Since 1994, Bro. Moore has been Director of Publications for the printing ministry in the Philippines, printing New Testaments, Sunday School literature, song books, tracts, pamphlets, Christian growth material, and kindergarten supplies. The Moores have two Filipino daughters, Myrna S. Kiper and Hayleen (pronounced AAileen) & Selotario Rabago. Brother Arlis Lee Brother Arlis Lee was licensed to preach on November 3, 1968 by Lee's Chapel #2. He was ordained on May 25, 1971 at Lebanon Baptist Church in Laurel. He graduated from Southeastern Baptist College. He has pastored a Mission, served as director of bus ministry and children's church, pastored three churches and is currently pastor of Gregory Chapel Baptist Church in Amory, Mississippi since 1980. He and his wife Purney have two children. Brother Winfred Baker Brother Winfred Baker was ordained March 25, 1971 by Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church to preach the gospel. He served in the state of Washington in the Yakima Valley for three years helping other preachers to start a church there. He was self supporting by working hard in the fruit orchards there. He came home and was then called to Nashville, Arkansas to be an assistant pastor and youth director there. He married Patsy Bissell while there. He then served as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Nashville, Arkansas for two years. He was then called to Southeastern Baptist College where he worked for one year. He then was called to Evergreen Baptist Church in Seminary, MS where he pastored for two years. He then served as a state missionary for the Louisiana Baptist Association in the Covington and Abita Springs area. As a result of this effort, the Trinity Baptist Church was organized and he has served as their pastor since its organization until the present time. Brother Wendell Smith Brother Wendell Smith was licensed and ordained by Lee's Chapel #2. He pastored at Old Spanish Trail Church and preached at other places Brother Clyde Slatten Bro. Clyde Slatten was ordained on July 20, 1986 by Lee's Chapel #2. He pastored the Old Spanish Trail Baptist Church from 1986 until 1989. He is now serving in the teaching ministry of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Brother Anders Lavell Lee Brother Anders Lee was licensed to preach on August 6, 1989 by Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church and preached his first sermon in August, 1989. He was ordained to the gospel ministry by Lee's Chapel on January 28, 1990 at the request of Shiloh Baptist Church of Necaise Crossing, MS. He served as pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church from January 1990 until November, 1994. He serves as associate pastor and youth minister of Calvary Baptist Church, Horn Lake, MS since November, 1994 to the present Brother Arthur Harrison Lee Brother Arthur Lee was first licensed by Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church then later returned that license. He was ordained to the gospel ministry March, 1992 by Mill Creek Baptist Church where he served as associate pastor and youth minister from March, 1992 until April, 1995. He served as minister to new members at Union Baptist Church from May, 1996 until August, 1997. He now serves as pastor at Parkview Baptist Church, Picayune, MS since September, 1997 until the present January, 1998. Brother Jarred Lee Brother Jarred Lee surrendered to the ministry in August, 1994 at Lee's Chapel #2 at the age of 17 years. He was ordained in January, 1996 and was involved in an evangelistic ministry until July, 1997. He then accepted the call to the Open Door Baptist Church in Laurel, MS as minister of music and associate pastor. He and Christy were married September 2, 1995. Brother R. T. Lee Brother R.T. Lee was ordained as a minister on August 17, 1997. He and his wife Dorothy have a Senior Citizens Outreach Ministry in the following Nursing Homes: Picayune Convalescent Home, Poplarville Nursing Home and Lumberton Nursing Home. They also minister to the senior citizens of our church. He preaches at churches when invited Brother Richard Lott Brother Richard Lott and his wife Barbara are members of Lee's Chapel #2. The Old Spanish Trail Baptist Church licensed Brother Lott to the Gospel ministry on January 22, 1992. Brother Richard is a witness for Christ wherever he goes. And This Word: Every effort has been made from records and the memory of the older Church members to record Lee's Chapel #2 Church's history correct. It is only by the grace of God that many men and women have have worked (some times many hours in overtime) to accomplish the building of God's church at Lee's Chapel #2. Please know that if you or a love one is not mentioned herein, remember God knows all the nails that were driven and hours spent on the buildings and ministries of Lee's Chapel #2 Baptist Church. God will not overlook work done in His name and for His glory. Jesus said that, "Even if you give a cup of cold water in His name you won't lose your reward." Back |