Truevine Missionary Baptist Church History

The history of Truevine proves that God can and will make a way.  For Matthew 16:18 says, “And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

It started in the early 1940’s when downtown Jackson was the main through fare for shopping centers, banks, and hotels.  People came from all over the state of Mississippi to see the emergencies of our capital...Jackson.
Among those citizens was a man who they called “Preacher.” James C. Matthews came from Bolton, Mississippi and established employment with the Illinois Railroad Company.  During this tenure with this company, he established a link with the community through God.  It was this association in the summer of 1942 with L.C. Cross, Georgia Nunnery, Rosie Harris and Fannie Gibbs, which led to the birth of Truevine Missionary Baptist Church.
The first day of worship was on a hot day in the summer of 1942 on the second Sunday in the month of June.  The worship started with Sunday School, Brother L.C. Cross was superintendent for the first twenty-five years of Truevine’s history.

After Sunday School commenced, the devotion started with Brother L.C. Cross who was the first chairman of the Deacon Board.  Brother Lloyd McGowan and Brother Jim McGowan later followed him.  The trustee board included Brother Reb Washington, Henry Pikes, William Walker and Sister Elizabeth Pikes.
Sister Betty Smith, who has the longest membership at Truevine, also served as the choir’s first president.  Sister Sara Taylor organized the first children’s choir and Sister Ozella Cox was the first musician. We cannot forget the Sisterhood Club.  The founder and president of this prestigious organization is Sister Betty Smith.