TIME LINE
1846
In October, Frederick A. Reynoir and Louise Hugon Renoir (1801-1891) sold for $40 a lot on Reynoir Street to the 1st Baptist Church of Biloxi. Trustees for the church were: Alexander Bookton; C. Taylor; John Herrington; and J.C. Woolworth. The Baptist Church lot had 80-feet on Reynoir Street and ran 88-feet to the west. It was bounded on the north by the L&N Railroad. John C. Bradford acquired this property in July 1885 for $275 and conveyed it to Pauline Trenchard Querens on NOLA in October 1885 for $450. The Biloxi City Park was situated on this lot for many years.(Harrison Co. Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 3, p. 270, Bk. 21, p. 18 and Bk. 21, p. 30)
1885
John C. Bradford acquired the Baptist Church and lot on Reynoir Street opposite the L&N Depot in July 1885 for $275 from C. Taylor, Oscar D. Bowen, George W. Andrews and S.T. Elder, Trustees of the Baptist Church. He conveyed it to Pauline Jeanne Trenchard Querens (1861-1928) on NOLA in October 1885 for $450. The Biloxi City Park was situated on this lot for many years.(Harrison Co. Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 21, p. 18 and Bk. 21, p. 30)
1892
The recently organized Presbyterians are building a new church on Pass Christian Street. J.H. Keller donated Lot 1, Block 6 of the J.H. Keller Subdivision to the Presbyterian Church in July 1892. The Biloxi Presbyterian Church sold the lot to the City of Biloxi for $3659 in December 1940 when the Central Junior High School was built on Eats Howard Avenue.(The Biloxi Herald, July 2, 1892, p. 1 and July 16, 1892, p. 4 and Harrison Co., Mississippi Chancery Court Deed Bk. 28, 205 and Deed Bk, 237, p. 124)
1896
The Reverend H.M. Crain came to Biloxi in February to be pastor of the 1st Baptist Church and also to minister to the Baptist faithful at Ocean Springs. He and Mrs. Crain were domiciled in one of the Cooper Cottages on Reynoir Stret near Front Street.(The Biloxi Herald, March 7, 1896, p. 8)
1897
1899
In December 1899, Dr. J.B. Searcy, field editor of The Baptist which he has been employed for several months, has accepted the position of pastor of the 1st Baptist Church of Biloxi. The Baptist resulted from the consolidation of The Baptist Record of Meridian and The Baptist Layman of Winona.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, December 5, 1899, p. 8)
1901
The new Baptist Church is being built by Thompson & Eistetter, architects and builders. The Reverend Dr. Searcy is in residence.[editor note: This structure was on Lameuse Street and Washington Street.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, January 6, 1901, p. 8)
1906
The Reverend J.B. Searcy (1838-1900+), a native of Alabama and pastor of the 1st Baptist Church, left Biloxi for Little Rock, Arkansas on January 6th. The Reverend H.C. Roberts of Eureka Springs, Arkansas wil replace him.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, January 6, 1906, p. 4 and 1900 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census T623_808, p. 7B, ED 30)
1908
Pastor Henry C. Roberts (1853-1910+), native of Kentucky, left Biloxi on January 2nd after two years at the 1st Baptist Church on Washington and Main Street. During his tenure here of constant and faithful service, the church became debt free and had a net gain of fifty members. Reverend Roberts relocated to Silver Creek, Lawrence County, Mississippi.(The Daily Herald, January 2, 1908, p. 1 and 1910 Lawrence Co., Mississippi Federal Census T624_747, p. 5B, ED 99)
1909
Reverend William Megginson (1869-1954) and Amy Allen Megginson (1871-1953), his spouse, came to Biloxi from Edna, Texas in March and began his duties as pastor of the Biloxi Presbyterian Church on April 1st. Reverend Megginson lived at 1716 West Beach.(The Daily Herald, March 20, 1909, p. 8)
Reverend William A. Roper (1868-1910+), native of Alabama, who replaced Henry C. Roberts at the 1st Baptist Church, departed Biloxi for Kosciusko, Attala County, Mississippi in April 1909. He was offered an annual salary of $1500 to relocate.(The Daily Herald, April 5, 1909, p. 4 and 1910 Attala County, Mississippi T624_732, p. 26A, ED 3))
1910
1911
1921
On November 3rd, E.C. Gay conveyed a large lot on the southside of West Howard Avenue with 82 feet on West Howard and running south 629 feet to an alley, the extension of Jackson Street, to J.W. Elder, Lyman Bradford, and N.V.Boddie, Trustees of the 1st Baptist Church. The consideration was $2800. Julius M. Lopez had sold the lot to E.C. Gay on October 28, 1921.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Chancery Court Deed Bk. 132, p. 575)
1939
Reverend Clyde H. Gunn (1902-1980) who came to Biloxi's Main Street Methodist Church in 1938 from Morton, Scott County, Mississippi was reassigned to Biloxi for another year.(The Daily Herald, November 20, 1939, p. 3)
1947
Reverend Thomas A Carruth of the Main Street Methodist Church will deliver both sermons on Sunday.(The Daily Herald, May 24, 1947, p. 6)
1948
The Reverend Maynard Michael Miller assumed his duties as pastor of Biloxi's Presbyterian Church.(The Daily Herald, November 27, 1948, p. 6)
1955
Dr. G.C. Hodge retired from his twenty-four year ministry at the 1st Baptist Church of Biloxi in May 1955.(The Daily Herald, May 5, 1955, p. 1)
1959
The $60,000 East Howard Avenue Baptist Church on East Howard Avenue and Maple Street was dedicated on November 29th. The brick and glass, structure was 86 feet deep and 48 feet wide with a seating capacity of about 500 people including the balcony area. The Reverend Leo C. Hoff (1913-2009), a native of Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Mississippi, had come to this Biloxi church 2 1/2 years ago from the Bunker Hill Baptist Church near Columbia, Mississippi. The Reverend Hoff expired at Norwood, Lincoln County, Mississippi on April 17, 2009.(The Daily Herald, November 28, 1959, p. 6)
1999
On October 14th, Beau Rivage Resorts, Inc. acquired the 1st Baptist Church of Biloxi sanctuary and lot on West Howard Avenue. T.C. Waller was chairman of the 1st Baptist Church deacons at this time.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Chancery Court 2nd JD Land Deed Bk. 347, p. 6)
