The History Of

Saffell Missionary Baptist Church

Organized January 13, 1946

The Saffell Missionary Baptist Church was organized January 13, 1946 with Bro. Harold Blaylock preaching the message. The Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church of Strawberry and Union Missionary Baptist Church of Jesup extended arms in the organization. The young church stated "We feel that the Lord has planted Saffell Missionary Baptist Church in this community for the great purpose of carrying the Gospel which is the power of God unto salvation."  The people had been holding services in the old Harmony School house located on Hwy. 361 about 1 mile east of Hwy. 25 since 1943. Sunday School was started in October of 1945. Bro. Albert Garner was the first preacher for the congregation as well as the first revival evangelist.

Eight members were on the church roll at the time of organization. These charter members were:
Bro. and Sis. Joe Smith, Bro. Wess Anderson, Sis. Leona Anderson, Bro. Wess Smith, Sis. 
Eula Howard, Sis. Mary Erwin, and Sis. Beatrice Harris.

The crowds at the Harmony School grew steadily. In fact the rapid growth of the church caused one of the board members (who attended another church in the area) to put a stop to the use of the school building for the church services. This did not dampen the spirits of the members of the young church, however. They simply began meeting at the Lane Theatre on Hwy 25 in "Lower Saffell". Services were held there until 1947 when a new church building was constructed not far from the theatre on county rd. 352 just 1/4 mile west of Hwy. 25. The building was made of field stone, and most of the labor and materials were donated by the area people who were mostly farmers. The church had 18 members on December 22, 1947. Before completing the building it was used with a dirt floor, and seats were planks on blocks of wood. In later years classrooms were built at the rear of the building.

In the early years, Saffell had 1/4 time preachers. He would preach on Saturday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday night. He was paid as little as $25.00 per week.

The first B.T.C. services were conducted in 1951. 
The first radio program was on April 20, 1952.
The first Ladies Auxiliary was activated on June 2, 1955.
Bro. Bobby Miller was called as the first full time pastor on Feb. 2, 1958.
Bro. Remil Layton was the first pastor to live on the field, this was in 1967.

August 15, 1960 was the close of one of the best revivals at Saffell. There were eleven additions and several more saved. Bro. Eddie Sutton was the evangelist and Bro. Naamon Landers was the pastor. Two more were baptized later.

In 1967 a nice 3 bedroom parsonage was built (the first one the church has had) on property donated by Bro. and Sis. Arthur McLaughlin, this property was located on Hwy. 25 at Hwy 361.

In 1975 plans were made to construct a modern church building and the congregation once more moved, this time to "Upper Saffell" next to the parsonage. Both buildings are of red brick. Elder J.W. Richey was the pastor at this time and led the members in the work for this building project. The land on which the building was erected was donated by Brother Noel and Sister Beulah Roberts. Timber was purchased by two members, interest free.

The first deacons were Brothers Lester Clayton, John Payne, and Alvis Lewallen who were ordained as deacons in January of 1957. Brother Lewallen resigned this position in February of 1957, and Brother Bovay Allen was chosen to fill this position. Brother Paul Satterfield, an ordained deacon, united with the church by letter on December 17, 1961. On April 1, 1962 Brothers John Payne and Lester Clayton asked the church to release them from the position as deacon.  Brothers Dale Saffell and W. E. Huskey Jr. were ordained as deacons on September 2, 1962.

The first minister to be ordained by Saffell was Brother Willard Whitlow on December 1, 1957.

The local Spring River Association  met at Saffell Missionary Baptist Church in 1959, 1967, 1978, 1990, and in 2001.

To accommodate the growing congregation, Saffell Missionary Baptist Church entered into another building program to construct an addition that would include a new sanctuary, nursery, and one new classroom. Additional land was donated by Bro. Noel and Sis. Beulah Roberts. This building was completed in the spring of 2000.

In 2008 the church completed a new fellowship hall and pastors office.

The history of S.M.B.C. has been marked with many milestones in physical and spiritual growth. those first 8 charter members have grown into a congregation of over 150 members. The membership has always been committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ unto salvation.

The Pastors Of Saffell Missionary Baptist Church

Cecil Lewallen  1946-47

J. A. Sheppard 1948-49

Cecil Lewallen 1950

T. C. Miller 1951

B. J. Watson 1952

M. E. Moore 1953

Joe Schutz 1954

Hubert Owens 1955-56

Joe Schutz 1957

Bobby Miller 1958

I. C. Helms 1959

Naamon Landers 1960-62

Harold  Mann 1963-64

Kennard Townsley 1964-66

Remil Layton 1967-71

J. W. Richey 1972-75

Jimmy Platt 1976

Johnny Davis 1977-80

Dexter Preston 1981-87

Bill Threet 1988-92

Greg Bixler 1993-97

Keith Wilson 1998-2006

Larry Etheridge 2006-Present