Ball Hill Missionary Baptist Church
2520 County Road 300
Tiplersville, Mississippi 38674
Phone (662) 223-5353
The History of Ball Hill Missionary Baptist Church
Ball Hill Missionary Baptist Church was established in 1901. It was founded by and under the leadership of Rev. Henry Hill Sr. who fought in the Civil War and attended Harmony Baptist Church in Walnut, MS.
In 1910, Rev. Horace Gray from Blue Mountain, MS was the next pastor of Ball Hill M.B. Church.
In 1915-1916, Rev. John Dickey from the Alcorn area became pastor of Ball Hill M.B. Church. Gladys Lambert of Corinth, MS was the grand-daughter of Mr. Dickey.
In 1917, Rev. Tom Warren from Booneville, MS was the next pastor of Ball Hill M.B. Church; under this leadership new members join the church: Sis. Essie Thomas, Sis. Lizzie Finger, Sis. Dessie Moore, Sis. Lizzie Wims.
In 1920, Rev. Thomas Wade from Savannah, TN; became the new pastor of Ball Hill M.B. Church.
In 1921, Rev. Sam Guyton from the Cotton Plant area was the next pastor. It was said that once Rev. Guyton corrected you; you never had to be corrected again.
In 1929, Rev. Andrew Doxey was pastor of Ball Hill M.B. Church. Rev. Doxey had relatives in the Ball Hill community. He and his family moved to California and never returned to Mississippi to live again.
In 1937, Rev. Milton Collins was pastor of Ball Hill M.B. Church. At that time the church was a white frame building with doors on the opposite side of the building. The walls inside the church were papered with a print with plaster in between the stripes of the walls. The church was heated by a cast iron wood heater. Members who joined the church under the leadership of Rev. Milton Collins: Bro. Charles Thomas, Bro. Sammie Thomas, Bro. Artis Crum and Bro. John T. Gibbs.
In 1939, Rev. Todd Hines was elected pastor of the Ball Hill M.B. Church. Rev. Hines was a native of Tippah County and lived in the Ball Hill Community. During the time of his tenure the church was a plank structure. During the late thirties when all rural schools had to consolidate, Rev. Hines fixed up his truck to transport the Ball Hill students to and from school. The county did not furnish transportation for the black students during this era. Some of the students he transported were, Frankie Moore, Charles Thomas, Reba Garrett, William Earl (Son) Jones, Lenel Berry, and Elzona Gibbs. Believe it or not there was a wood-burning heater on the truck. One morning on the way to Ripley, the heater caught on fire and scared the hot dickens’ out of everyone pretty bad! The fire was put out and no one got hurt. Everyone arrived to Ripley in time for school and needless to say, no one complained about being cold!
In 1940-1955, Rev. Merrit Rutherford was the pastor of Ball Hill M.B. Church. Rev. Rutherford was from the St. Matthew community, in Ripley, MS. He pastured Ball Hill M.B. Church longer than any of the preceding pastors. Ball Hill was a very progressive and growing church during this time. Rev. Rutherford was pastor when the new church was built and moved to the new location, which is the current location now.
In 1955, Rev. O.H. Moore was chosen to pastor the Ball Hill M.B. Church. Rev. Moore was the overseer of the Ball Hill congregation for twenty-six dedicated years. Under his leadership, several church renovations were made over the years. He was a carpenter and the moderator of the Ripley Baptist Association for about 50 years. Rev. Moore was a Master Mason and a member of the Diamond Cox Lodge #27 B. Rev. Moore in a speech quoted these words, “ If it rain or snows, keep on going, if you strike a thorn or a rose keep on going, if you are broke or only have a penny, don’t tell the people you are broke, keep on going.” That is exactly what he did through his years of service. He truly lived by the advice he gave in that speech. Rev. Moore resigned in 1981, because of poor health, but still considered Ball Hill M.B. Church to be his home church.
Ball Hill M.B. Church was left without a Pastor for a very short time. Then on the recommendation of a church officer and his wife, the church found and agreed to elect Rev. L.G. Bogard of Holly Springs, MS. Ball Hill went then from one Sunday (Third Sunday Service) to two Sunday’s a month (1st and 3rd Sunday).
1981-2009, In 1981, Rev. L.G. Bogard arrived at Ball Hill M.B. Church in the fall. He and his family formed a 32 member junior choir and the choir also experienced a taping and singing event on Channel 13 WHBQ TV, in Memphis, TN. Bro. Charlie Wims, Bro. John F. Gibbs, Bro. Quincy Spight, Bro. Tommy Robinson, and Bro. Kameron Story were made deacons under his leadership. Also, under his leadership, a Baptism Pool was purchased and installed, handicapped ramps / rails; along with new lighting in the Church Fellowship Hall was added. Rev. Bogard served 28 years as Pastor. He has served longer than any pastor at Ball Hill M.B. Church, thus far.
On January 3, 2010, Rev. Lonnell Perry became Pastor of Ball Hill M.B. Church. Rev. Perry was a member of Rock Hill M.B. Church in Tiplersville, and resides in Walnut, MS. He is a graduate of the American Baptist College in Nashville, TN where he was certified and recieved a Diploma in Theology. He has beeen preaching the word of God for over 10 years. He currently leads the Ball Hill congregation of 53 Souls.
We are fortunate to have a leader who believes in faithfully serving God's people. Rev. Perry has made so many changes in the early stages of his leadership at Ball Hill. He incorporated the ministry of Bible Study on Wednesday nights at 6:00 pm. / Choir Rehearsal at 7:00 pm / and Sunday Worship service from two Sunday's a Month to having Worship Service every Sunday in a Month. Rev. Perry truly believes that we must be in Fellowship with the Lord Full time because He is a Full-time God!