Making Christ Known since 1896
The plight of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U. S. A. has not been an easy one. The history tells of a church conceived by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and born in the adversities of oppression, suffering, deprivation and ostracism. When remembering the hardships and tribulations that faced the church as well as our founder, Bishop Charles Price Jones, one can look back on these occurrences and be consoled through the blessings of God and the success of our church. The Church of Christ (Holiness) USA survival is the result of prayers, fasting, studying and acting on God’s word. After the founding of the Christ Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) U. S. A. (Mother Church); other churches/missions surfaced and organized. The church’s doctrine, “living a life cleansed from the practice of sinful habits by the Holy Spirit”, caused the mission group to separate from an established Baptist church (China Grove Missionary Baptist Church) and move to what
was called the Town of Cynthia, Mississippi, one-fourth mile north on Cynthia Road, which is now County Line Road.
Early Days and Visionary Leaders
These believers led by Billy Rudd, Albert Hamilton, Sr., Cara Hamilton, II, Charlie Hamilton, Eli Younger, Jack Lewis, and Will James worshiped from a “Brush Harbor” that came to be known as Cynthia Church of Christ (Holiness) U. S. A., during the year of 1896. Services were held under the brush harbor until 1903 when a permanent building was constructed on the same location. The church prospered greatly in the Lord. A public school was located on the ground just behind the area. Cynthia united with China Grove M. B. Church and established Wilson Cemetery at Highway 49 North and Cynthia Road.
Early Pastors
According to the History of the Church of Christ Holiness, 1895 – 1965, the first pastor was the Reverend D. G. Sparkman. Past records projected him, as a man of brilliant intellect, deep thinking, eloquent orator, vocalist, scholar and a spirit-filled leader. Through the years there were other spirit-filled leaders. Some of these included Reverend F. E. Williams, Bishop E. W. Butler, Reverend Willie Kendrick, Sr., Reverend Jessie Graham, Reverend Joe C. Sayles, Reverence Edgar Callaway, Reverend J. L. I. Graham, Elder Alexander Hickman, and Elder Arthur L. Jenkins.
Early Members
The first members were Eli Younger, Albert Hamilton, Sr., Billy Rudd, Cara Hamilton, II. Charlie Hamilton, Jack Lewis, Joe Cephas Lewis, Fred Henderson, Will James, Gertrude Johnson, Mattie Hamilton, Anna Lewis Younger, Harry Rudd, Jr., Willie Clark, Vercell William, Mary Hamilton, Alice Hamilton, Cedella Dixon, Auxivill Hendrick, Carrie Younger, Nancy Rudd, Gertrude Rudd, Florin Rudd, Pinky Rudd Hamilton, Beatrice Crawford, Lucille Lindsay, Ethel Liddell Rudd, Alice Younger and Allean Hamilton.
First, Second, Third, and Fourth “Church House”
This edifice, known as Cynthia, has come from a “Brush Harbor” 1896, a wooden frame on the path of the Old Natchez Trace, Cynthia Road, to a brick structure on Shell Rock Road, and to the present structure that was built under the leadership of Elder Arthur L. Jenkins in 1997. Many forefathers’
Members Elevated to the called to Preach the Gospel
Cynthia has several members in the ministry. They are the late Bishop M. R. Conic, late Bishop Albert Hamilton, Bishop Vernon Kennebrew, late Elder Joe C. Sayles, Elder Maurice Kendrick, Elder David R. Sayles, Minister James Aaron Kendrick, Sr., Elder Gayland Sayles, Elder Jimmie Ervin, Jr., Elder Timothy Neyland, Sr., Minister Carnell Campbell and Minister Reginal Smith.
Milestones
1886 Church founded by Bishop Charles Price Jones with about 6 people and met in a Brush Harbor, in the Town of Cynthia, Mississippi.
1903 A permanent building was constructed Cynthia Road.
Early 1900 A public school was located on the ground just behind the church. Cynthia united with China Grove M. B. Church and established Wilson Cemetery at Highway 49 north and Cynthia Road.
1956, the Natchez Trace Parkway System purchased the land that the church was housed on at Cynthia Road and Highway 49 North. At this time the church purchased two lots on North Shellrock Road, where the church is currently located now, under the leadership of Elder Jesse E. Graham.
Early 1970, Three more lots were purchased. After purchasing these lots, a baptismal pool was constructed,
Mid-1970, The construction of the fellowship hall
Early 1980 The Parking Lot was paved.
1997 New Sanctuary was built and was joined to the old Church. The old sanctuary was renovated into the church fellowship hall. This was done under the leadership of Elder Arthur L. Jenkins.
2001 The church has been blessed to purchase two lots across the street from the church on Shellrock Road.
2002 Purchased 33 plus acres on Country Club and Highway 49. Seven of these Thirty-three acres were sold to National Church of Christ (Holiness) U. S. A., United Christian Women’s Ministries for a Senior Care Home, leaving the church with 26 acres.Cynthia has a beautiful legacy of love that has earned the title of “The Garden Spotof the Sunny South” coined by the late Brother Cara Hamilton, III. It is a growing,loving spiritual filled gift from God. This congregation abides there in and gives God all the glory.