Where there is no vision, the people perish.- Proverbs 29:18
 The Vision Revealed
During the summer of 1951, I attended the Baptist Assembly at Ridgecrest, NC. At one of the services, the subject was "Starting New Churches." We were inspired and received great vision on what you could do in your own church by starting new churches. After the service, they asked each one to stand who would promise to go back and help start a new church. I made that promise and on my return the following Sunday morning, I told the acting pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of the promise I had made.
I was elected chairman of the Missions Committee. In talking to each other one night, one of the women on the committee suggested that we start a mission on North Spring Street at the Carpenter's Hall.
On Saturday, several boys helped me put out circulars around the Carpenter's inviting the people to come and worship with us. The roll call that first Sunday, January 2, 1952, was small. Only seven present and five of those were members of Calvary Baptist Church. From this small start, we began to grow. I thank God for His plan for this church did not stop there.
- Spurgeon Hall, Charter Member
The Vision Becomes Reality
The Godly men are what I remember about Spring Street Mission. Our family was not attending church anywhere. The first time I went, these Godly really showed they cared about me and wanted me at church. It was during those years at Spring Street Mission, as a teenage boy, that gave me a desire to be like those men that cared for us. I believe God gave me a heart for youth because of those Godly men at Spring Street Street Mission.
- Buster Priddy, Charter Member
At Spring Street most of us had 2 or 3 jobs, Sunday School, Youth Group, Church Training, along with singing in the choir. The first Vacation Bible School we had about 25 children and met in the back yard under an old oak tree. Everyone shared the expense because we did not have funds for VBS. By this time, Spring Street had several pastors. A committee of four men went to Philadelphia, MS to talk to Bro. Richard Clement. He came to be our pastor and preached his first sermon on June 3, 1962. Ten months later, October 1, 1962, West Jackson Street Baptist Church was begun. Ten families pledged $100 each, along with the sale of the old building at Spring Street, and purchased 3 acres of land and the first building was built.
The building was not completed and we had to walk on planks to get into church. I can remember one lady slipping off the plank and burying her high heels in the mud. All the yard work and cleaning was done by members.
West Jackson Church tripled in the first years. It was such a joy to see the church grow and to be a part of it. When you look back through the years, you know that God had a plan (and still does) for this church. Bro. Clement and I were walking from the gym to the church and were talking about how the church had grown and I asked him if he thought these buildings and everything were ever possible. He said, "I'll tell you something I've never told anyone before. God showed me West Jackson. He never showed me Spring Street". He said "Yes, the vision did become a reality through the Lord's work and God still has a vision and plan for West Jackson."
- Ruth Langford, Charter Member
We visited the Spring Street Mission and enjoyed it so much we returned Sunday after Sunday. The congregation continued a steady growth and due to circumstances (Urban Renewal Project) decided to relocate. The first services were held in what is now the office area, where we sat on planks on concrete blocks. Everyone pitched in to help with the planning and cleaning.
- Thelma Farmer, Charter Member
We all worked together as a church family which made this a wonderful church. So many souls were saved and God's help, will go on.
- Louis Gilgo, Charter Member
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Bert Harper, Pastor
