"We've Come this far by FAITH "

               

         In the year 1929, a group of seven baptized believers in Christ felt that God was leading them to start a Church in their neighborhood.  They assembled one evening in the residence of Sis. Beulah McClain (Yes- this is the correct spelling of Beulah McClain), 1212 Oldham St., to pray for further guidance of the Holy Spirit.  He directed them to the Hill Street Baptist Church, the late Rev. C.B. Smiley, Pastor.  Rev. Smiley advised them to join Hill Street Baptist Church and then request letters for the purpose of being organized into a body.  The persons receiving letters and being honored as Charter Members were the late Deacons Joseph Wagner, Grant McGill, Robert Campbell, Willie D. Hightower, Ed Jones, and Sisters Beulah McClain and Cora Green.   

 

           Rev. Clarence Wagner served as Pastor; services continued to be held in the residence of Sis. Beulah McClain.  After a short time, the church moved to 1215 Oldham St.  The membership began to grow.  This was an appropriate time to give the Church a name.  Mount Vernon was suggested by Bro. French McClain and was unanimously accepted.  Then began a series of various locations:  First, 1130 South 12th Street; second, corner of Twelfth and Oldham Streets; third, 1114 South 12th Street; fourth, a store front on the Southwest corner of 12th and St. Catherine Streets.  A few months later, Rev. Wagner resigned because he and his family were moving Ohio.  Rev. Mosby served as Interim Pastor until his health began to fail.  Rev. Sherman Davis, who had united with the body served for several months, assisted by Rev. Ward Montgomery.

 

         In April 1931 Rev. John Willis, an associate Minister of the Hill Street Baptist Church was extended a call, and he accepted the pastorate.  These were the days of sacrifice for both Pastor and Church.  Pastor Willis was optimistic and had a vision for the congregation.  He constantly told them, if the congregation would obey Christ and hold to God’s unchanging hand, great things could be accomplished.  This advice was a source of encouragement to us.

 

         April 14, 1932, the church appointed four men to look into matters concerning property at 1101 South 12th Street, the site of a blacksmith shop. The property was later purchased and on September 26, 1934, a Blueprint was drawn for a church. Construction soon began.  Most of the work was done by men of the church.  Relatives and friends of the members also gave many hours of volunteer service.  Soon a neat little frame structure was erected.  This remained the place of worship for approximately 34 years.  The parsonage at 1109 S. 12th Street was purchased August 1, 1946, and remodeled in 1948. But, in September 1949, the Lord summoned our beloved Shepherd, Dr. John Willis, to his eternal home. The Late Rev. Charles Washington served as Interim Pastor.

 

        During our church business meeting, on November 3, 1949, we voted to extend a call to Rev. Lawrence C. Rhea, a native of Springfield, Ohio.  They recognized that he was a GOD sent man, who was not ashamed of the Gospel and preached the whole truth.  He accepted the call and assumed the responsibilities of Pastor January 1950.  Rev. Rhea’s motto:  Patience, Persistence and Prayer. 

 

        January 30, 1950, fire demolished part of the sanctuary.  The congregation did not despair, but came together as a family with cooperation, love and prayer.  The late Deacon French McClain, a faithful member and owner of a construction business was selected to develop plans for a new building.  Upon completion, the Mount Vernon Church body was in a beautiful house of worship.  The new parsonage was erected in 1952.  April 10, 1962, the Church voted to add an Educational Building.  Construction began June 5, 1962, and was completed by late September 1962. Dedication Services for the Educational Building were held Wednesday, October 24 through Sunday October 28, 1962.  Sunday, April 14, 1963, Memorial Services for the late Dr. John Willis was held. The Assembly Hall in the Educational Building was then named Willis Assembly Room.
 

         November 1974, we observed our 45th Anniversary.  Sis. Zulean Smith and Sis. Jean Hamilton served as Chairwomen.  A Souvenir Program and Church Directory was compiled and distributed to all the members.  The financial success of that Anniversary led to purchasing the adjoining property on 12th Street for parking facilities. In 1975, the men of the church cleared the site for a parking lot.  Property on the northeast corner of 12th & St. Catherine Streets was cleared for additional parking, in 1988-89.  An extension of the vestibule and adjacent stairway was also completed. 

 

       In late 1991, the church was advised of the intention of the City of Louisville to change the zoning of this area.  Mt. Vernon was given the opportunity to stay where we were or to sell our property to the city and re-locate.  The church voted to re-locate.  On May 22, 1992, the property consisting of seven acres located and 3640 Cane Run Road was purchased.  We thank GOD for our Pastor, Rev. L. C. Rhea, he involved himself in the teaching ministry of the church.  He manifested a profound interest in the spiritual development of the total membership.  Rev.  Rhea’s motto:  Patience, Persistence & Prayer. On Sunday November 5, 1995, Rev. Rhea was summoned to his eternal home. Rev. Clifford Rogers assisted by Rev. Richard Johnson served in the interim. 

 

        In August 1996, Rev. Forest E. Brooks accepted the call to pastor Mount Vernon, which many accomplishments were made under his leadership.  On Sunday, March 23, 1997, final worship services were held at 1101 South 12th Street.  On Sunday, March 30, 1997, the first services were held in the new sanctuary at 3640 Cane Run Road.  On Sunday, April 6, 1997, an official motorcade from 12th street location to Cane Run Road.  On Sunday, November 28, 1999, during 70th Church Anniversary Service, we burned the official indebtedness on the property at 3640 Cane Run Road.  Rev. Forest Brooks ended his tenure as pastor of the church on January 29, 2002. Rev. Clifford Rogers was appointed as Interim Pastor.

 

        On January 10, 2004, a call was extended to Rev. Jasper Jackson and on April 4, 2004, he was installed as Pastor.  His vision was “A New Direction Guided by The Holy Spirit” based on Ezekiel 36:26-27.  Rev. Jackson’s Motto: Concerned, Committed and Involved.  Rev. Jackson preached, taught and organized evangelistic teams to go out in the community to reach the unsaved. In July 2012, Rev. Jackson Resigned and moved back to Florida.

 

      April 2013, the church selected Dr. Warren Eley as Interim Pastor, who was the former Pastor of Union Missionary Baptist church and former Dean of Students at Simmons Bible College (Now Simmons University), and also a retired Navy Chaplain's Assistant. 

      On January 10, 2016, Rev. Terry Jones was installed as our Pastor.  He has given us a vision of “Pursuing Excellence”, which he teaches, preaches, and leads by example to strive for excellence for the cause of Jesus Christ through our commitment to learn more about GOD's word.