The word church comes from a Greek word meaning the Lord's house.  A church is any denomination or group professing the same Christian faith or creed.  A church is also a building used for public Christian worship.  Many of us believe that the church is in the heart of its believers.  



The Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church was organized and built in 1893, six years after Mound Bayou, Mississippi was founded.  



In 1887, the entire community of Mound Bayou worshipped in a little area called Brush Harbor under the leadership of Rev. W.M.Blackburn.  The older churches in this town grew after the development of this small organization.  In 1887 Green Grove was organized and in 1888 First Baptist Church was built.  



The LN&T Railroad Company issued a deed to Sallie West on December 12, 1887 for 40 acres of land.  In 1893, Rev. Lowe and his followers for the purpose of building a church purchased a small track of that land.  They had previously held worship service in the home of Rev. Lowe.  



According to the deed book, Jerusalem Church sat directly on the northeast corner of Section 9, Township 23, Range 5 West.  The original lot was 103 feet wide by 145 feet long.  Today, it is more than twice that size.  In its early existence Jerusalem Church's membership was made of common class folks, such as small sharecroppers, day laborers, a few renters and two or three landowners.  Though none of its members were affluent, it was not the indigent church in the community.  



Our present Pastor Glen Lyles was elected September 20, 1997 and installed on November 1997.  We can all say that Pastor Glen Lyles is a dynamic teacher and has been a great inspiration to the Jerusalem family and other surrounding churches.  



In the early 1920s you would need to arrive early in order to get a seat.  By the time service started the church would be full and worshippers would stand outside and look in through the windows.  From 1900-1929, people would walk the muddy and dusty roads in a hurry to get there by 2:00p.m. which was starting time.  (How many of us would walk today?) By 11:30a.m. the church would be half full.  



 Today, we can say that we have truly been blessed with a new sanctuary built in 1999 and paid for in 2005 with a church van purchased in 2006.    



Our membership at Jerusalem is increasing and we are constantly seeking more people to dedicate their lives to Christ.