Antioch Baptist Church
Antioch Baptist Church is one of our oldest and most active Baptist churches in our county, having been established June 9, 1916 on a parcel of land donated by Mr. Dave Williams. Rev. Jimmy C. Holcomb has been the pastor for five years and has led the church in growth and exciting ministries. There were 15 original charter members, and today the church has grown to a membership of more than 150.
The original one-room church was built on the grounds where the present church is located at 1044 High School Road, Leakesville. The first pastor was Rev. Tom Tomlinson, deacons were appointed (not ordained), and people were baptized in Oughton Creek. Sunday School was held under the trees and sitting on fence rails. People generally walked to church, during these early hard times. It had its beginnings as a Missionary Baptist Church, but has been a Southern Baptist Church since 1948.
Much is not known about the early years of the church, since church records were not kept well; however, we do know that the first Vacation Bible School was held in 1948. Also, some missionaries came and spoke to the church, for the first time, in September of that year.
During the 1950’s, there were six pastors, and the church went from a part-time church to a full-time church, so regular services could be conducted for the growing congregation. During the years since this time, there have been other pastors, new men elected to serve as deacons, committees elected, increase in membership and finances, and many changes and improvements in the furnishings and building of the church facilities.
From the 1990’s to the present, other changes have taken place at Antioch:
- Programs begun that provided Bible Study, outreach and training.
- Worked with the Gideons to share the gospel through Bible distribution.
- First indoor baptism in the 1990’s.
- Children Bible Drills where scripture is learned and various levels of competition.
- Mission Building Team has gone to other states to help build churches.
- Youth Retreats/Bible Studies
- Adult, Youth and Children Choirs
- Handi-Help Ministry and Food Pantry
- Veggie Tales Children’s Summer Camp, and Vacation Bible School annually.
- Reading Club and ABC Learning Lighthouse (formerly Homework Help)
The donation of property, by the Rayford Hodges Family, will allow the church to build a new building in order to accommodate the growth and expansion of the church. These last 87 years have brought many physical and spiritual changes within the membership of Antioch Baptist Church, and they are ready for the challenges that this new century brings.
Services times are: Sunday - Worship at 8:30 A.M. and 11 A.M., Sunday School 9:45 A.M.; Discipleship Training 5:30 P.M.; Evening Worship 6:30 P.M.; Tuesday - 7 P.M. Prayer Meeting, and Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Mid-Week Worship Service. The church phone is: (601) 394-2657.