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HISTORY

CHURCH HISTORY

Our history recording begins with the organizing of the Rockbabylon Missionary Baptist Church of Dixons Mills, Alabama in 1866 by Rev. Rayfield Lockett.  This worship place was a Bush Arbor across the street from the present site.  Rev.  Lockett struggled to win souls for Christ, and he served for several years with success.  Rev. Charlie Robinson was elected as pastor.  Under his administration, he improved the worship place from a Bush Arbor to a small blacksmith shop that was given to him by some white neighbors.

Rev. Adison Cleveland was elected pastor after Rev. Robinson.  Rev. Cleveland served for many years.  Under his pastorship, the church mortgage was paid in full.  The church was pastured by Reverends Charlie Yow, J. H. Garner, W. Holmes, E. Slater, G. B. Gibson, and B. L. Walker.  The next elected pastor was Rev. Sam George.  Under his leadership, he improved the facility by installing floor mats and purchased two pulpit chairs which are still used in the pulpit.; organized a spring revival.

The Rev. Emmitt Bennett was called to pastorship.  With his administration, a log cabin was built on the present location and given the name Rockbabylon.  Later, a choir loft and a space for the pulpit was added.  Also, a piano was purchased.  This made Rockbabylon the first Afro-American church to own a piano in the Bethel Baptist Association.  Sis. Lula Mae Dunning was the pianist and instrumental in bringing spiritual growth to the choir.

Membership grew spiritually and numerically.  In 1942, with he incoming of Rev. R. D. Graggs as pastor, excited a new era in our church organization and administration.  He was successful in his ministry.  Some accomplishments were:  the conversion of souls for Christ; reorganized church Sunday School; organized a spring revival; constructed a brick edifice; installing running water and indoor toilets; established the hospitalization insurance; remodeled the interior of the church; awarded scholarships to college students, and installed heat and air conditioning.  Doctor Graggs served for thirty-eight years.  He resigned Mat 4, 1980 due to health problems.  After the pulpit became vacant, the Rev. Johnny L. White served as interim pastor from June 1980 to December 1980.

On Nov. 9, 1980, the Rev. Eddie L. Andrews of Warrington, Florida was elected as pastor.  He began serving as pastor on Jan. 4, 1981.  As a result of Rev. Andrews’ sermons from the heart and because of he had guidance of the Holy Spirit, God’s richest blessing flowed, and the church membership increased.  One Sunday worship was extended to two Sundays of worship.  With his administration, came the remodeling and restructuring.  In effort to modernize the church, the educational wing of the church was added.  The new addition has classrooms, office, restrooms, and a kitchen.  Rev. Andrews was known and loved for his magnificent voice of delivering the word of God.  Not only could he preach, but he could also sing as well.  Rev. Andrews served faithfully until his death on March 2, 1989.

Rev. Tony Campbell was called to serve as interim pastor.  In April 1991, he was elected as pastor.  Under his leadership, many areas of his ministry prospered; administrating the Lord’s Supper to the sick and shut-in; visiting and ministering to the needy; purchasing of the church organ, and two houses.  He served with dedication and faithfulness. 

On March 26, 1994, the church called Rev. Ronald D. Harbin of Waynesboro, Mississippi as pastor. Under his ministry, the church witnessed a large growth in membership.  In Nov. 1994, the church extended worship services to fulltime, and the church provided a parsonage for the pastor and his family.  Rev. Harbin resigned as pastor on Aug. 16, 1998.

The Church called Rev. Calvin E. Finch of York, Alabama as pastor on Feb. 8, 1999.  Pastor Finch served as a dynamic preacher, leader, and teacher who has great love for God’s people.  The church grew spiritually-even some members that had grown weary reunited with the church.

On March 25, 2003, the Rev. Norris Pauley was elected as pastor.  He continues to live by the fruit of the spirit:  love, peace ,joy, longsuffering, kindness, and faithfulness.  With these, he has brought God and his anointing back into the church.  Under Pastor Pauley’s administration, the Lord blessed Rockbabylon to build a new church and on June 21, 2009 we entered the church debt free.