True Vine Missionary Baptist Church History
According to oral history, the True Vine Baptist Church was founded in 1915 by nine members of the Nelson Bragg family. At the time the church was established, there was a small (one room) school called Vine School located just off of Highway 471, South of True Vine Center. True Vine Church was one of the first churches in Rankin County to burn during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s.
Since the inception, True Vine has had seven pastors. The founding pastor was Rev. Johnny Harris from the Evergreen Community. A Rev. Hamilton was the second Pastor. The third pastor is believed to have been a Rev. Thurman. Their ministerial service at True Vine was restricted to approximately ten years.
The early Deacon Board included several distinguished men (all of who are now deceased). They were: Hugh 'Pannie' Hines, Nelson Bragg, Will Bragg and Joe Washington. In the early 1920’s Henry Ward joined and shortly thereafter became chairman. He is the longest serving Chairman of the Board of Deacons. He served for 45 years: 1929-1974. Other dedicated deacons have included: Fed Winsley, George Calhoun, Lacey Walker, Earnest Bragg, Lee Anderson, Walter Lockhart, Bobby Stapleton, Sr., and Ralph McKee. Early church mothers included Mrs. Ada Bragg, Cora Bragg, Frances Calhoun, Lille Hines, Bessie Ward, and Birdie Winsley. Church secretaries have included: Rosie Blow, Birdie Hoard Winsley, Minnie Winsley Anderson, Lillie Bragg Hines, Marge Ella Winsley Grant and Edna Winsley. As of 2009, the deacons included: Johnnie Winsley, Sr.-Past Chairman, Isaiah Washington, Sr., Roy L. Anderson, Jimmy Adams, Sr., Bobby G. Taylor-Chairman, Alexander Taylor, Richard Green, Clarence Jefferson, Winston 'Neal' Taylor, Carl Bolton, Russell Dixon, William Lee, Mark 'Donnie' Taylor, Frank Herring, Isaiah Washington, Jr., Willis Garrison, Leroy Stokes, Lewis Rainey, and James Rogers.
The Rev. I. L. Lenyoun of Jackson served as pastor for more than 40 years and established True Vine as a strong spiritual community organization.
In 1964, Rev. Louis Gardner, Sr. became pastor and served until his death in 1994. It was during his tenure that the church expanded from one Sunday to a half –time ministry. The church on Vine Drive was erected. Also, a facility was constructed to house the Head Start Program.
Rev. Charles Randall served from 1994-2007. Under his leadership True Vine experience significant growth. True Vine became a full time ministry. As the membership grew several ministries were established including children’s church and nursery. The Family Life Center was built in 1998 and the construction of the new sanctuary was begun. In 2005, a licensed daycare and after-school program, True Vine Children’s Village, opened its doors and continues as a valued community service. True Vine has nurtured several young men into ministry including: Rev. Christopher Anderson, Rev. Timothy Anderson, Rev. Kenny Bennett, Rev. Calvin Citizen, Rev. Ossy Dixon, Rev. Moses Everett, Rev. Charles Freeman, Rev. Stanley James, Rev. Jimmie (Sis. Mary) Jones, Rev. Michael Nesby, Rev. Arthur (Sis. April) McClung, Rev. Bobby Stapleton, Jr., Rev. George (Sis. Savannah) Williams, Rev. Ernest Wilson, and Rev. Jonathan (Sis. Jessica) Winston.
Women have been a vital part of the history and development of True Vine. The church has been blessed with very graceful and spirit-filled First Ladies; namely, Mother Florence Lenyoun, Mother Arlene Gardner, Mother Myrtis Randall and First Lady Angela Langston. The associate ministers are strongly supported by their wines in ministry. During the first decade of the 21st century, several women were ordained as evangelists including: Loretta Stapelton, Sharon Taylor, Fiona Williams, Willa Copper, Vickie Palmer Jones, and Margie Williams. Current deaconess include Mrs. Ella Jean Anderson, Mrs. Gloria Hines Adams, Mrs. Barbara McKee, Mrs. Dorene Rogers, Mrs. Linda Taylor, Mrs. Venessa Taylor, Mrs. Bessie Wallace, Mrs. Maggie Washington, Mrs. Linda Washington, Mrs. Edna Winsley, Mrs. Bettye Jefferson, Mrs. Didra Bolton, Mrs. Sandra Herring, Mrs. Shirley Dixon, Mrs. Juanita Lee, Mrs. Geraldine Rainey, Mrs. Annie Stokes, Mrs. Angel Garrison, and Mrs. Vivian Taylor.
Rev. Dr. Kelvin Langston was appointed in 2008 as pastor. His ministry is seeking to build a stong community of believers engaged in kingdom building work. The new sanctuary was completed in 2009. Since its establishment, God has allowed True Vine to grow from a membership of nine(9) to approximately 600 believers.
