History of Jackson Street Mission
(Emmanuel Baptist Church)

     In July of 1953, the Committee on Missions and all the department heads of First Baptist Church began to study the possibility of a mission on the east side of Piggott.  Several years passed before a formal report was given to the church.  In May of 1959, Bailey Bourland made a motion to start a Sunday School branch.  A dwelling house was rented for $35 a month.  In September of the same year, Brother Bob Johnson was hired as full-time mission pastor.  In December 1959, the mission committee located a suitable piece of property for the mission, and the church arranged to buy it.  In June 1960, a Vacation Bible School was held, and the First Baptist Church and the mission set up a building fund.  The committee from First Baptist consisted of Doris Cox, Fred Winton, and Joe Kelley.  Plans were drawn for a 52 x 32 building.  September 25 was set up as a fundraising and groundbreaking day.  The building was finished by December, and the building committee was released December 28, 1960.

     Bro. Bob Johnson resigned on January 29, 1961. Ledell Bailey was called February 5, 1961, in time to preach the sermon at the note-burning dedication service for the new debt-free building on East Orr Street.
On August 20, 1961, forty-six members of the First Baptist Church transferred their membership to become charter members of Emmanuel Baptist.  In 1962, the membership had increased to 63.

     February 15, 1963, a new education building was added.  It consisted of seven classrooms, two bathrooms, and ample space for all church activities.

     In February 1966, Kenneth Norred gave the trustees’ report.  The trustees were instructed to give Emmanuel Baptist Church a quitclaim deed to lots 1 & 2 of block 5 of Templeton’s second addition to the city of Piggott, AR.  The deed released all rights, title, and interest that the First Baptist Church had in these lots.

     April 9, 1986, groundbreaking was held for a new auditorium.  A 40 x 90 building that would seat 250 was started on March 31, 1986.  Lester Edwards was the contractor and the building was completed on September 7, 1986.

     In 1994, Bro. Kevin Murray and his wife Johnna were called to pastor the church after Bro. Kim Bridges felt God’s call for Emmanuel would be someone other than himself.

     On November 18, 1999, a loan was obtained from Piggott State Bank for Emmanuel Baptist Church to purchase 13 acres of land across from the fairground from Willard Hughes.  Five short months later (April 25), the loan was paid off. Two years later, March 30, 2002, a groundbreaking service was held for the new 100 x 150 building on the corner of Johnson and North Streets.  The last service on Orr and Moore Streets was November 19, 2003, with Bro. Kim Bridges delivering the message.  The first service in the new building was held November 23, 2003.  The church continues to thrive under the leadership of Bro. Kevin.