ABOUT MOUNT MORIAH
1890. The Reconstruction dream lay in ruins. Southern Redemption was tightening its grip. Black families faced lynch mobs, voter suppression, and rising segregation—just six years before Plessy v. Ferguson would legalize Jim Crow. And yet, even then, Black folks kept building. That same year, Richard R. Wright, born enslaved, founded what would become Savannah State University, insisting to the world that “We are rising.”
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The persons who established the foundation of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church were Deacons J.D. McMoore, Claudius Ealy, Will Pee; Brothers Emanuel Smart, Frank Byrd; sisters Sallie McMoore, Annie Able, Mary Able Treadway. They appointed the Second Sunday as Worship Sunday. Unfortunately, Reverend Sampson soon became sick and notified Reverend N.A. Hart to fill his appointment on the second Sunday in April.
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Before the second Sunday in May 1890, Mount Moriah’s organizer, the Reverend Sampson, passed away. The Reverend Hart continued the organizing work with us until the fourth Sunday in June 1891. Mount Moriah then called the Reverend W.H. Styles, and Brothers J.B. Barry and Lane Walker gathered to organize us into a church. Lacking a house in which to meet, we obtained permission from the St. John A.M.E. Church in Pembroke, Georgia, to organize there.
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The first members of the newly organized church consisted of Brothers J.D. McMoore, Emanuel Smart, Will Pee, Sisters Annie Able, Sallie McMoore, Mary Neill, and Mary Able Treadway, these having obtained peaceful letters from Saint Phillips Baptist Church of Ellabell, Georgia. The new church was named Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, and the Reverend N.A. Hart was called the first Pastor. The first candidates for baptism were Brother Daniel Able and Sister Maggie Able.
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Mount Moriah rose not from comfort, but from conviction. And we have never stopped rising.
Mount Moriah has fully ordained four members: Reverends Will Smokes, Lossie Reese, Missionary Veronica Mangum, and the Reverend Jerry Adatsi (presently serving in Manchester, Georgia). Mount Moriah has licensed several ministers over the years, including the current Daughter of the House, Minister Valerie Frasier.
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Further, Mount Moriah has ordained thirty-seven Deacons: Brothers J.D. McMoore, Will Pee, Edmond Bass, N.N. Beatty, Henry Brown, Joe Crawford, Mack Cochran, Charlie Jackson, Richard McKee, Arthur Simmons, Will Simmons, John Stephens, Harley Surrency, Raleigh Surrency, Allen Wallace, George Bush, Bobbie Stewart, Obie Brown, Elzie Bryant, James Garrison, Henry Sparrow, Earl Garrison, Lovette Roberson, Robert McCloud, Avery Roberson, Gene Miller, Leo Garrison (accepted by a letter from Mount Zion Baptist Church of Savannah, Georgia), Eli Rogers (received by a letter from Cypress Bay Baptist Church of Lanier, Georgia), Johnnie A. Miller Sr., Robert McGhee, James Miller, David Boyce, Sam Bradley, Stevie Stringer, Dave Williams, Earl Edenfield, and Sister Carolyn Frasier.
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Ten seasoned Sisters have been designated Church Mothers: Sisters Mary Able Treadway, Annie McKee, Mae Bell Bass, Mamie Simmons, Mandy Rogers, Eula M. Bowers, Letha M. Lawson, Mary A. Lawrence, Linda Sparrow, Elnora Corbett, and Ethel M. Collins (presently serving).
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Ten members have served as Treasurer: Sister Mary Able Treadway, Deacons Henry Brown, George Bush, Sisters Lettie Stewart, Inez Stewart, Minnie P. Geiger, Deacons James Garrison, Robert McGhee, Dave Williams, and Carolyn Frasier (presently serving).
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Nine members served as Church Clerks, maintaining the Church's official records: Sisters Minnie H. McMoore, Annie McKee, Bessie Surrency, Elberta Smokes, Mary R. Rogers, Linda Sparrow, Pamela Geiger Baker, Manda Nixon, Sabrina Simmons, and JuShara Coples (Interim).
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Our Youth have always served at Mount Moriah, and the following members have carried the program over as Youth Directors: Sisters Mary Paul, Annie M. Gillard, Miriam Bush, Lula Garrison, Elnora Corbett, Mary A. Lawrence, Mary Ruth Rogers, Lillie Hicks, Debbie Jackson, and Meca Williams-Johnson (presently serving).
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Christian Education has been led by nine leaders as Superintendent: Sisters Mary Able Treadway, Annie McKee, Clara Garrison, Deacon Bobbie Stewart, Sisters Dorothy George, Elberta Smokes, Lettie Stewart, Brother Malcolm Hudson, Sister Angie Miller, Debbie Jackson, and Deacon David Williams (presently serving).
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​Every member, auxiliary, department, board, or ministry's efforts are aimed at utilizing all resources to provide a Christ-centered setting where people in this community can be redeemed to personal relationships with Christ, reconciled to God and His People, restored to wholeness and well-being, and revived for service to others. You can be Redeemed, Reconciled, Restored, and Revived in this Church.
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Since the founding of this body, God has graciously provided 9 Shepherds of this flock:
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Reverend N.A. Hart (1890-1891) with Reverend W.H. Styles (Not a called Pastor but an interim minister serving 1891-1892);
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Reverend W.C. Whitfield (1892-1922);
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Reverend S.M. Walker (1922);
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Reverend J.A. Lockett (1922-1938);
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Reverend C.W. Anthony (1938);
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Reverend A.E. Hagins (1939-1989);
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Bishop K.E. McNeal (1990-1997);
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Reverend R.S. Tremble (1997-2003);
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Reverend Dr. Francys Johnson (1999-Present)
In December 1999, God sent the Reverend Dr. Francys Johnson as our Youth Pastor. The Church overwhelmingly called the Reverend Francys Johnson to Senior Leadership in November 2003. A high standard was lifted, declaring “We Shall S.O.A.R.: Seek the will of God, Overcome every obstacle, Achieve purposeful living, and Reach the Promised Land.” The Lord’s abiding presence is evidence that, without a shadow of a doubt, Mount Moriah’s best days are yet ahead. Mount Moriah is known as the “Church with the Helping Hands” and the “Place where God Provides.” Mount Moriah has reorganized its finances, calendar, auxiliaries, and departments to effectively serve this present age.
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