As a part of the HERALD

PIAVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Piave Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist Church which began between 1920 and 1924. It was named after Mr. Henry Piaggio who came here from Italy to provide timber for his shipbuilding enterprise. He contracted for more than 4,500 acres of land in the present-day community of Piave, which is believed to be named after a river by the same name in Italy.

The Piave Baptist Church came into existence soon after World War I, when Mr. Piaggio sold his mill to the Virgin Pine Lumber Company, and when several thousand had come to the community to live and work at the mill. Along with several other businesses, a Baptist and Methodist Church were formed.

Some church records show members joining the church as early as 1920 from a Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, with Rev. A. R. Lofton, of McLain, as Pastor. According to some older residents in the area, the land and lumber for the first church building were given by Edward Washington James (these records were found in the Chancery Clerk’s Office). By 1924, the Greene County Baptist Associational Minutes show the church had 72 members. Dr. Joe H. Cothen apparently came to serve as the first full-time pastor in 1927, while continuing his ministerial education.

Through the years and with many pastors serving, the church has continued to be faithful in its preaching, teaching, mission and outreach ministries. The Sunday services are each week as follows: Sunday School 10 AM; Morning Worship, 11:00; Bible Study for Adults and youth and Children’s activities, 5 P.M.; Evening Worship, 6:00. Bible Study and Prayer time is each Wednesday at 7 P.M.

The church had a Founder’s Day in June of this year when the history of the church was highlighted, former members returned, memorabilia shown etc. A Homecoming is always planned in October of each year. The church is always visiting and showing care to its members and those in the community. It always wants to share Christ’s love to anyone who may come.

The ladies of the church have a mission meeting each month, and the men periodically do a mission project within the community. They also have social activities regularly to enhance fellowship among the membership.

During this past year, an addition was built to the church with other improvements made.

The church also owns a Pastorium where the Pastor may live.

Piave Church is located at 21 Piave Church Road, Richton. James T. Dunnam is Pastor.