History of the Rising Star Congregation

In Matt. 16:16-18, Jesus promised the disciples that He would build His church. After His death and resurrection Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the power from on high, Luke 24:49. We read in Acts 2, that the disciples received that power and preached the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost around the year 33 AD. One can read about the early life of the church in the book of Acts.

The church in Rising Star began with the arrival of the first wave of settlers in the 1870’s. In 1879 a meeting was held and J.L. Scott was baptized. In 1886 Austin McGary and J.W. Jackson held a camp meeting at the L.I. Cox pasture, in the west edge of the city. In 1889, the church began to meet in a little log school house east of town where the present cemetery is located. A visiting evangelist, Silas Scarbrough helped to organize the congregation at this time. The first church house was built in 1896 on land donated from J.P. and P.J. Whitaker. The deed was dated, May 14, 1889. It was stated in the deed that should this congregation ever include the use of a mechanical instrument of music in its worship then the property would revert back to the family. “Uncle” John Cooper dressed the rock that went into the foundation of the first building. This has remained the church’s location site since that day. The first meeting house was a white frame structure with a belfry and bell. This building was remodeled in 1929 and the belfry removed. This structure was torn down in May of 1937 and a new rock structure was erected. Years later a classroom annex was constructed. In 1966, the rock building was demolished and the present building was constructed. In 1975, a preacher’s house was built on the property adjacent to the building.

As in the New Testament church, elders were appointed in the churches, (Acts 14:23) to watch over the spiritual affairs of the church (Acts 20:28). Some of the early elders of the Rising Star congregation were: L.I. Cox, A.J. Rhone, C.G. Shults, Will Farmer, Tom Goss, Dr. Robert Dill, J.W. Jenkins. Others include Ray Agnew, W.W. Ezzell, Sam Jones, Ray Nunnelly, Tom King, Dewey Large, Sal Kingsbury, Br. Welch, E.D. LeBleau Norman Claborn and Joe Swinney. About forty years ago the congregation enjoyed the leadership of Weldon Hill, Ray Nunnelly, Theo Boyd and Dean Bailey. Our present elders are, Larry Wilson, and Allen Phillips.

We also read of deacons who were appointed in the church (Phil. 1:1) to help in the physical service of the church (See Acts 6:1ff). Some recorded early deacons were John Cooper, J.W. Reeves, J.J. Montgomery, Allen Dabney and E.F. Agnew. The present deacons are Danny Hutton, , Oliver West, and Steve Wilson.

Men who have served as preachers include Wesley Head, Jasper Montgomery, O.E. Phillips, a Bro. Lambert, Wilkey Moore, W.A. Record, Monty Manchester Bro. Emery and Hershchel McDonald. Others include Harry Tonsil, James Haney, Luther Dabney Weldon Echols, Mike Wiggins Jon Bailey Ray Green, Greg Knight and Owen Aiken. Later preachers include Oran Rhodes, Roger Barron,Gary Adams, Jim Nash, Richard Massey, and John Dickinson. The present preacher is Terry Jackson.

The years since the beginning of this congregation have seen many changes. So many of the pioneers have now gone and there are new faces and names. There have been technological advancements to improve communication and our lives. But one thing has not changed and that is the truth of God’s Word. John 17:17