Historic church resumes services

PLANTERSVILLE – Macedonia Baptist Church in the Blackberry Community has been a historical landmark for many years in Grimes County.

Recently, the church that also served as an African-American School until the 1960s, has deteriorated to the point it was unusable. Services were suspended and most of the previous congregation and descendants of the Blackberry community only reunited during the annual homecoming held in September.

With assistance from Texas Baptist Men Builders, and the unwavering faith and dedication of Ever Johnson, who refuses to allow a church that has been an integral part of history since the 1800s to be forgotten, the church is in-motion to resume services.

Johnson said the historic building is unusable, but she wants to ensure the legacy of the church – which is more about the people of Blackberry than the actual structure, remains alive. “Some of our legacy is tied up with this church from back in the 1800s,” explained Johnson. “Our ancestors saw fit to put this church in the community and this is where we all grew up.”

Unable to remodel the existing church at this time, Johnson wants to ensure the Blackberry community has a place to gather and worship, as the patriarchs of the community originally intended.

While in Corpus Christi in the 1990s, she remembers TBM helping to rebuild a church. She recently contacted the church pastor who gave her contact information for TBM. Over the past 20 years, members of TBM have had their hands and their tools in the construction of more than 1,600 church and camp facilities, saving these ministries millions of dollars in construction costs.

Johnson reached out to Wayne Pritchard, a construction coordinator for TBM and asked for help with the project. Pritchard said the group is led by God and only go where He sends them. “I knew we were supposed to come here, so we came,” stated Pritchard. “If a church calls us and it doesn’t feel right, or He doesn’t speak to us, we don’t go.”

Pritchard said he builds for the glory of God, “I do what I do because that is what God tells me to do. I feel the need to serve and He has given me the ability and organizational skills that I need to manage what we do.” TBM is funded by the Texas Baptist General Convention and through donations from various churches and organizations.

The group of volunteers who work on projects each have a unique skillset that help them accomplish a common goal of service to God and the community. They helped Macedonia Baptist Church by framing and running electrical in the new building.

Johnson is looking forward to the annual Homecoming service, where they will dedicate the new building Sept. 18. She thanks Michael Harrison, Moderator of the Central District, for being instrumental in the journey of resuming services. The church is located at 6957 CR 206, Plantersville, in the Blackberry community. Johnson said everyone is invited to attend the Homecoming and Dedication Service.

To learn more about the services Texas Baptist Men provide and how you can assist, visit www.tbmtx.org.