Church History

History of the Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church In Montgomery County Red River valley of Civil District One, there gushed in the dawn of the 1800s a double spring which, when the river swelled, flooded fields. A pioneer family named Fortson, held the title and later the name was changed to Foston. In 1886 Mr. Wyatt Marshall and Mr. H. A. Hatcher owned acreage encompassing the springs, and it was at that location they established with others a fellowship. The first meeting place was an old house. Rev. Thomas Metcalf served as their leader. Due to the location of this lot, and the frequent floods, services were moved and held in the county school. From 1886 to 1918, the schoolhouse doubled as a church house until a new church building arose adjacent to the school. Unfortunately, the ever-bubbling Foston Springs rendered in wet weather the roads were impassible. A church member, Mr. Thomas Stevenson, in 1922 offered to sell for $60.00 an acre of high ground for a new church, they accepted the offer and named this high priced and high ground, "Mt. Nebo". The Rev John Majors was the current pastor. Mr. John McClure, purchased the Stevenson's farm and donated by quitclaim the prized acre of land to Mt. Nebo. The "Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church" was first organized in 1861. Through hard work, dedication and prayer the membership membership began to grow. Our first church built was a white frame, one room church building with a stove for heating. It was in this church building many of our present members professed hope in Christ. Many of our loved ones, relatives and friends, have gone on, but we cherish the memories of those who labored and worshiped beside us. It was our forefathers who laid the foundation for Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church. In 1960-1964: Rev. A.C. Traughber became the Fourteenth pastor of the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. Under his leaderships the name "Mt. Nebo" was established and morning worship services were changed from twice a month to weekly Sunday morning worship services. Rev. Traughber also established a building fund for the second new church building, before this task was completed he was called to a church in Adairsville, KY. In 1964-1971: Rev. V.J. Gardner became the fifteenth pastor of the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. It was under his leadership that Mt. Nebo went into their second new church building, on June 6, 1966. This structure included a basement, classrooms, and a lovely sanctuary. Rev. Gardner organized the following organization: Youth Choir, Youth Department, Baptist Training Union-BTU, Vacation Bible School-VBS and Men's Sunday School Class. Enrolled the church in the Cumberland River, South Kentucky, Middle TN District Association. He held the office of the Vice President 1970-1971 Established a Mother's Board and added five mothers-Mrs. Drucilla Garrett, Mrs. Maria Osborne, Mrs. Bessie Hatcher, Mrs. Lorene Mallory and Mrs. Louis Hatcher. Before the establishment, Mrs. Bertha Tyler was the Mother of the Church. In 1971, Rev Gardner was called to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Paris, TN and there he pastured until death on February 2, 1997. August 1971-Rev. Toliver Coleman became the sixteenth pastor of the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. He served as Vise President of the Sunday School & BTU Congress of Cumberland River, South Kentucky, Middle TN Baptist District Association. Under his leadership numerous additions were made to the church including a baptismal pool, larger Pastor's Study, additional classrooms and upstairs lavatories. Not only had the structure itself been improved, but the membership had increased and the choirs expanded. Rev. Coleman's known expression was "It's in the Book". On June 6,1972, Mt. Nebo Church was razed by fire. It was burned to the ground, after it apparently was struck by lightning. The entire church and all of its contents except the piano were destroyed in the blaze. Services were held in the Educational Building on Dodd Street in Clarksville, TN until the new church was built. In February 1973, we went into our third new church building with our pastor, Rev. Toliver Coleman. And by the grace of God we were blessed with another beautiful red brick building with larger classrooms, sanctuary and basement. Pastor Coleman served as pastor of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church until his death. His wife, Mother Coleman is still a faithful member. In January 2008 we installed our current pastor, Rev. Lawrence K. Reed, Jr. For 30 years he has been married to Deborah A. Bruton Reed. Together they have three children, Lawrence lll (Dwanetta), Yolanda and Gloria Reed and one granddaughter; Katherine Lanae! Pastor Reed currently holds the office of 2nd Vice Moderator of the Cumberland River, South Kentucky, Middle TN District association. While under the leadership of Pastor Reed Mt. Nebo has added a beautiful, new 178 capacity Fellowship Hall to include a large Pastor's Study, Finance room, two beautiful lavatories and kitchen! Mt. Nebo remains a "Caring, Sharing, Fruit-Bearing Church". 1861-2018 158 years We have served under the following pastors: Rev. Thomas Metcalf Rev. A.C. Traughber Rev. Majors Rev. V.J. Gardner Rev. Davis Rev. Toliver Coleman Rev. Ruby Northington Rev. Jeff Dunlap Rev. Lawrence K. Reed Jr. Our Current Pastor