Belmont M. B. Church

West Msrks Baptist Church

Belmont Missionary Baptist Church is the oldest church in Quitman County. On July 29, 1995, they celebrated their 128th anniversary.

Belmont got its start in 1867, ten years before Quitman County was formed, in what is now Marks, but at the time was only a wilderness. The original church, which was only a shed, was built about a mile from the neck of the bayou. The original building blew down in 1898 but was rebuilt closer to the bayou. The church was rebuilt again in 1917 and in 1930.

Every summer new converts are baptized in the bayou wearing matching white robes and hats. There is singing, shouting and praying with the choir encircling the banks of the bayou.

George Priest was the pastor during the early period of this church. Other pastors have been Rev. Louis H. Hill, Rev. Percy Jackson, Rev. Jack J. Johnson, Rev. Louis Bell, Rev. Samuel Powell, Rev. Ezra Towner, Jr., Rev. Michael Jossell and Rev. Nathaniel Christian.

Quitman County Democrat, Thursday, July 27, 1995