Those from Simpson County and surrounding areas know that the community of Kennedy Springs is synonymous with Kennedy Springs Baptist Church located on MS-540 in the northeast end of the county. It seems that the church has been there “forever” and in a way, it has. Kennedy Springs celebrates 100 years of existence on October 5, 2021.
The very first church where services were held on October 5, 1921, was made of wood and sat not far from the spring itself. The property was given to the first members in 1921 by Eastman, Gardiner and Company, a sawmill plant in Laurel, Mississippi. It closed down in 1937. According to member Mildred Luckey, “They owned just about everything around here.”
The little church was situated near the spring as there was no running water in the building. Older members recounted that if you wanted a drink of water you would go down to the spring to get it. The original church building was eventually torn down and rebuilt using cement blocks brought from Wesson, Mississippi. The first pastor of the church, Rev. T. W. Bishop served on four different occasions spanning 1921 to 1937.
From 1938 to 1954, Rev. Z. B. McAlpin served four area churches including Kennedy Springs, Dry Creek, Bethlehem and Galilee Baptist churches. Now each has its own pastor.
One of the fondest memories church members shared occurred in 1968 when Rev. Donald Womack was called as pastor. Up until his tenure the position had always been part time. When Rev. Womack arrived the position was made full time as it has been ever since. Womack is also the grandson of the aforementioned Rev. Z. B. McAlpin.
During the early days of congregational meetings, families would travel to the church in covered wagons or walk to church. Member Eugene Cook offered a story about his brother, Stanley, a wagon, a revival, a nap, and the ensuing confusion.
“It was in the late 1930’s. We had revival and had come in by mule and wagon. It was tied up outside. Stanley got sleepy at the service, so Daddy told him to go out and get in the wagon and go to sleep. And he went and got in the wrong wagon. And when church was over they headed way up yonder to where Junior lives, with Stanley in the wagon. Daddy and Mama got home and there was no Stanley. They had a time running one another down but they finally got together,” explained Cook.
He described life after the Great Depression. “Times were hard then and we were all poor but we did not know it. We drew water and brought it in the house. We raised everything we ate except sugar and flour.”
The current sanctuary was built in the early 2000’s and dedicated in 2002. A majority of the construction of the new building was completed by church members meeting on Saturdays; however, subcontractors were hired when necessary. The church borrowed $300,000 to complete the new sanctuary but paid it off in record time. On Sunday, July 15, 2007, during their morning worship service, Kennedy Springs Baptist Church held a note burning ceremony with special music and prayers.
That same year Shirley Yelvington, her mother Irene Craft, and Leslie Frye began a ministry now known as the Kennedy Springs Mission Center. The Center formally opened in 2013 in the former sanctuary. Celebrating 14 years, its hours of operation are the first and third Friday and Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Family members of the W.H. Bynums, the Robert Coopers, the Percy Higgs and Mrs. Katie Bynum – charter members of Kennedy Springs – still attend the community church.
In addition to celebrating 100 years of services Kennedy Springs has a new pastor at the helm, Rev. Wade Mathis, who began preaching here in June of this year. Dr. Mathis, his wife Rebecca, and their two children, Abigail (11) and Benjamin (9), reside in the church parsonage. The couple met at Jones Community College and just recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary.
Like many other pastors, Dr. Mathis served first as a youth pastor. In 2006, the family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, so he could attend seminary. In 2010 he graduated with a master of divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before joining Kennedy Springs Dr. Mathis served for ten years at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Woodland, Mississippi, where he was able to complete work required for his doctorate of ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated in 2019.
In 2020, the Mathises began to sense God calling them in a different direction. “During the process of searching for a new place of service, we enjoyed meeting the folks at Kennedy Springs and learned about their passion for serving their community and the world. That definitely drew us to the church, but ultimately we believe it was God's will for us to come here at this time.” Dr. Mathis continued, “The people of Kennedy Springs and the community have really made us feel welcome.”
It was here that Benjamin Mathis said yes to Jesus during Vacation Bible School in June. “Baptizing him on July 18 will always be one of the best memories of my life and it is my favorite memory at Kennedy Springs,” Dr. Mathis said.
Kennedy Springs Baptist Church had originally planned to have a celebration the weekend of October 3, 2021; however, due to rising positive COVID 19 cases the church decided to postpone to a later date. “The pandemic has taken a toll on every aspect of life, and churches have not been exempt. It impacts the way we plan for ministry during this season, but I am confident that the Lord will see us through to better days,” explained Dr. Mathis. “My biggest concern is remaining faithful to the Lord through it all.”
