History
THE HISTORY OF ELLISVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Ellisville congregation of the church of Christ had its beginning in the Spring of 1970
when Darrel Thompson and wife, Sylvia Barr Thompson, together with their four
small children:Lyle Thompson, Bryan Thompson, Jarrett Thompson, and Valerie Thompson. moved
into the area where Thompson, a young architect, set up business. The Thompsons, desiring to
work with a small congregation of the Lord's people, decided to begin worshipping in the
Ellisville area.In the Spring he ured the use of the local Boy Scout Hut in which to meet
for worship services, unless the facility was otherwise in use by the Scouts, in which case
the Thompsons along with Sister Shirley Street and her two children, would meet in the
Thompsons' home.
Gradually a number of other families began meeting with them and by 1972
Thompson had ured land on Highway 588 west of Ellisville, Mississippi on which to construct a
building for the church to meet in. Thompson, being an architect, designed the first building
which consisted of auditorium, classrooms, nursery, office, and a building for the minister and
his family to live in.
The first minister was hired at the time the buiding was being constructed and
he would spend much time with the construction. He was Weldon Hatcher, a teacher noted for
his knowledge of Bible history. When the construction was completed, the Hatcher family,
Weldon, Joyce, and their three children moved into the premises amd an open house was held to
which the entire community was invited to come view and tour the new facility. Brother Weldon
Hatcher also taught a course on Bible times history at the local Junior Collete while preaching for the
Ellisville church. He also aattended the University of Southern Mississippi where he studied
for his doctorate.
At this time there were between 20 to 30 people in regular attendannce at
worship services.
The Hatchers - 5
The Thompsons -6
The Stumphs and Lucille's mother. Sister Huckabee- 3The Burnetts - 3
The Adams - Helen and 3 children - 4
The Boykins - 3
The Streets = 3
Brother Green - 1
Sister Effie Smith and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Butler - 2
After Weldon received his Doctorate, they moved to Menden, Louisiana, where he
became a Counsellor. This had been his dream to counsel young people.
Don Taylor, was selected as the next minister for the Ellisville congregation.
Don,came highly qualified. He and his family had done mission work in Belgium and he
was fluent in 'French.his wife, Virginia, was a well qualified worker among the ladies of
the church. They had 3 children, also: Bruce, David and Suzanne. Don had done much study
and many lectures on Revalation. During his ministry here, Brother White and many of
the young people from Missouri came and did a door to door campaigh in the Ellisville
vicinity to acquaint the community with the mission and work of the church. Don accepted a
position at Magnolia Bible College at Kosciusko, Mississippi, where they resided until they
moved to Henderson, Tennessee, where both Don and Virginia were enmployed by Freed
Hardeman Universitywhere they remain until the present.
Other ministers for the congregation have been: Allen Daves, Karl Hardee, Bob
Raley, Dan Huggins,Terry Baucum, Jerry Morton, and Verlon Carroll.
Attendance has grown to 90 to 100 for Sunday worship services, and the original
building has given way to a newly renovated building, with the addition of an approximately
250 seating capacity.
The congregation sponsors an Annual Ladies Day, an annual Vacation Bible
School, Bible study classes for all ages, a Family Day once each month on the first Sunday of the
month, Bible centered youth activities, and emphasis youth and children being servants to others.
The congregation is guided ably by our elders: John Sexton, Sr.and Paul Heathcock.