Knights Baptist was organized January 19, 1902, with 12 charter members. Its first pastor was J.W. Tucker of Kathleen, Florida. While the first building was under construction, the members met at Knights School. Sunday School was organized and held in the school a good while before the church was organized with Nat Hawthorne as the first superintendent. The church building was completed August 22, 1903. Training Union (then known as B.Y.P.U.) was organized in 1915 with Walter Yates as the first director. The church, being missionary minded, organized its first W.M.U. in 1924. In September 1950, work began on a pastorium. The lot of land joining on the south side of the church was given for this purpose by Alton Tatum. Pastorium was completed and ready to be occupied by the new pastor, Rev. Harold Bowe.
For many years, the church dreamed of a new sanctuary. On December 28, 1952, the church celebrated its 50th Anniversary and an offering was taken at the close of the service to start a building fund for the new sanctuary. In April, 1965, the church began to build the new sanctuary, during the pastorate of Rev. Floyd Yarbrough, and it was dedicated September 26, 1965, costing approximately $30,000. It was then the church’s prayer to build adequate educational space. On May 19, 1968, a dedication service was held for this building, with a total cost, including furnishings, at approximately $55,000. Rev. Frank Jordan was pastor during the building of the educational space. Mingo & Goldie Ercoli gave a piece of land for the educational space and the land to build a new pastorium, approximately 3½ acres. In 1980, the church built a new brick pastorium, under the leadership of Dr. Bob Reaves.
Our current pastor, Bob Dygert, began his ministry with Knights January 1, 2005. In 2006 he began to transition the church to a blended service. In 2008 the church purchased several acres adjacent to the church. In 2009 the church was renovated and modernized by putting in control lighting, a wireless audio system, multiple video and computer networking sites. In 2010 a Spanish ministry was started and in 2011 a New Orleans extension site was started. During the church’s 110 years, it has been served by 33 pastors.
In the past 110 years, many people have come and gone. Many have gone on to be with the Lord. We have sought to be a lighthouse in the community. We are thankful for those dedicated men and women who have worked diligently and faithfully through the years and up to the present time, giving generously of their time, talents and money to the ongoing work of God’s Kingdom, to the spreading of the gospel both here in the community and abroad. We pray God will continue to bless us and use us in a mighty way for His glory.
To God be the Glory!
