The History of True Vine
Thanks to the Maker and Creator of the universe, True Vine had its very humble beginning in the old Peabody School frame building. They had very fervent prayer meetings asking God’s help and guidance. Their leader was Dr. C. L. Roberts of Cheneyville, Louisiana. Finally, their prayers were heard and these dedicated Christians were ready for organization. They contacted Dr. Roberts for guidance in their efforts of organizing. He consented and organized True Vine in August, 1900.
The church was moved to Duck Alley where they constructed a small frame building for services. Dr. Roberts was unable to remain their leader because of the hardships of commuting in those days. He advised these few Christians to seek another leader who could give them more time. Records show that Rev. Solomon Washington of Alexandria, Louisiana served as pastor and also Rev. Cephus Hayes from Hansville, Louisiana.
In 1910, Rev. John S. Smith agreed to pastor approximately 20 members. He thought he could be a good pastor because he earned his livelihood in public work. During his administration, the Sunday School, Women’s Home Mission Society, Junior Mission, Y. W. A., Girl’s Auxiliary, Sunshine Band, B.Y.P.D. and Royal Ambassadors were organized. He added to the church building and purchased a second lot next to Carr Street. Membership increased from 20 to 854. Rev. Smith passed away March 15, 1940.
On August 12, 1940, Rev. J. H. Hayes was elected pastor. Under this administration, a balcony was built, a fan was installed and a library added. The church continued making progress. It was decided the church needed a better location. After an intensive search by the committee, they selected the Broadway site. A building fund was started. Three lots were purchased for a total of $3,300. The building was completed in 1954. An educational building was constructed and an air conditioner was installed. There were 791 members. On October 26, 1960, the Lord called Rev. Hayes to rest.
On January 18, 1961, True Vine selected Rev. Howard L. Williams as pastor. Among the many things accomplished during this administration were the annexation of the two buildings, renovation and installation of offices for Sunday School Superintendent and the Church Secretary. Also added were a storeroom, choir room, lounge and more classrooms. Paneling replaced all sheetrock walls, tiles were placed on all floors and four telephones were installed. Kindergarten and nursery were put into operation, an additional 40 feet were added to Hayes Dining Hall, and new furnishings purchased. One lot was purchased at the rear of the Education Building and a Credit Union was set up for the benefit of the members. Renovation included two restrooms, water fountain at the entrance, new ceiling, new lights, carpet, pews, choir chairs and a cooling and heating system. The following auxiliaries were organized: Truvineer Choir, Young Adult Choir and Matrons. Saturday, October 15, 1977, the passing of our beloved pastor and leader saddened our hearts. He represented us at national, state and local meetings. He left a membership of 972.
On April 10, 1978, Rev. Frank B. Whorton was elected pastor. The sidewalks were renovated, a memorial was erected in memory of Rev. H. L. Williams, a new organ was purchased, a larger air conditioner was installed and the bus fund was initiated.
On Wednesday, March 17, 1982, Rev. Solomon Shorter, Sr. was elected as Pastor. He was installed, at True Vine, as Pastor by the United Educational Missionary Baptist Association on May 14, 1982. He is a dynamic leader and has made it possible for us to do great and wonderful things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have reached out to help that precious infant trapped in a well – Baby Jessica, helped heart transplant patients and those awaiting hearts. Under his leadership, we have fed the hungered, supported local charities, associations and conventions. We have also provided financial assistance to the needy, honored the elderly, cared for the sick and shut-in, administered an after-school tutorial program and opened our doors as a full-time school for expelled students from the public school system. We distribute 5000 pounds of food monthly to the elderly and needy. In addition to all of those ministries, our Pastor stays focused on the great mission of the church, “Winning Souls by Witnessing for the Lord Jesus Christ.” Under his leadership, a Bus Ministry was started. Two 15-passenger vans were purchased for this purpose. A Scholarship Fund has been established, wired music placed in the church and a new P.A. system installed. Pastor Shorter has deep concern for the unfortunate and seeks to fund their needs. Additionally, we purchased a house at 2600 8th Street at a cost of $80,000 to be used as an Activity Center for auxiliary meetings as well as other church related activities.
We are instrumental in helping our members get out of debt by our “Debt Reduction Selection Program” which consists of returning to selected members, each worship service, twice as much as they have given to the Lord and still give them credit for the amount given. The purpose of these returned double amount funds are to pay on a bill or pay off a debt.
Love Offerings are given during each worship service to two selected members from the membership list for the sole purpose of letting them know that we genuinely love them.
Members of True Vine are eligible to secure non-interest loans, with special approval, up to $500.00 without the penalty of interest added on the loan. All other non-special approved interest free loans are up to $300.00.
In November 2004 we were instrumental in purchasing the Payton’s house/barber shop and vacant lot next to it for building expansion and construction purposes.
Pastor Shorter had a vision for the True Vine Family to purchase all of the property on the eastern side of Broadway Avenue from Eight Street to Tenth Street. This vision also includes the construction of a new church facility on the recently acquired properties as well as on our present location. The new facility is to be one hundred seventy-five feet wide and one hundred and thirty feet deep.
On July 19, 2005 the church secured lot Two (2) of Square Five (5) of the Broadway Subdivision. The property, which is located at 809 Broadway Avenue, was purchased at a cost of $50,000.00. The Bill of Sale signed by Deacon Charlie Taylor and Deacon Willie L. Glasper. This property was purchased in order to have adequate land to build our new edifice
Rev. Shorter is the only pastor who has served as Pastor of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in two different centuries. He has served for eighteen years in the Twentieth century and for five years in the Twenty-first Century
Our Mission Statement is “Executing the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37), The Great Ministry (Matthew 24:34-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
The church was moved to Duck Alley where they constructed a small frame building for services. Dr. Roberts was unable to remain their leader because of the hardships of commuting in those days. He advised these few Christians to seek another leader who could give them more time. Records show that Rev. Solomon Washington of Alexandria, Louisiana served as pastor and also Rev. Cephus Hayes from Hansville, Louisiana.
In 1910, Rev. John S. Smith agreed to pastor approximately 20 members. He thought he could be a good pastor because he earned his livelihood in public work. During his administration, the Sunday School, Women’s Home Mission Society, Junior Mission, Y. W. A., Girl’s Auxiliary, Sunshine Band, B.Y.P.D. and Royal Ambassadors were organized. He added to the church building and purchased a second lot next to Carr Street. Membership increased from 20 to 854. Rev. Smith passed away March 15, 1940.
On August 12, 1940, Rev. J. H. Hayes was elected pastor. Under this administration, a balcony was built, a fan was installed and a library added. The church continued making progress. It was decided the church needed a better location. After an intensive search by the committee, they selected the Broadway site. A building fund was started. Three lots were purchased for a total of $3,300. The building was completed in 1954. An educational building was constructed and an air conditioner was installed. There were 791 members. On October 26, 1960, the Lord called Rev. Hayes to rest.
On January 18, 1961, True Vine selected Rev. Howard L. Williams as pastor. Among the many things accomplished during this administration were the annexation of the two buildings, renovation and installation of offices for Sunday School Superintendent and the Church Secretary. Also added were a storeroom, choir room, lounge and more classrooms. Paneling replaced all sheetrock walls, tiles were placed on all floors and four telephones were installed. Kindergarten and nursery were put into operation, an additional 40 feet were added to Hayes Dining Hall, and new furnishings purchased. One lot was purchased at the rear of the Education Building and a Credit Union was set up for the benefit of the members. Renovation included two restrooms, water fountain at the entrance, new ceiling, new lights, carpet, pews, choir chairs and a cooling and heating system. The following auxiliaries were organized: Truvineer Choir, Young Adult Choir and Matrons. Saturday, October 15, 1977, the passing of our beloved pastor and leader saddened our hearts. He represented us at national, state and local meetings. He left a membership of 972.
On April 10, 1978, Rev. Frank B. Whorton was elected pastor. The sidewalks were renovated, a memorial was erected in memory of Rev. H. L. Williams, a new organ was purchased, a larger air conditioner was installed and the bus fund was initiated.
On Wednesday, March 17, 1982, Rev. Solomon Shorter, Sr. was elected as Pastor. He was installed, at True Vine, as Pastor by the United Educational Missionary Baptist Association on May 14, 1982. He is a dynamic leader and has made it possible for us to do great and wonderful things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have reached out to help that precious infant trapped in a well – Baby Jessica, helped heart transplant patients and those awaiting hearts. Under his leadership, we have fed the hungered, supported local charities, associations and conventions. We have also provided financial assistance to the needy, honored the elderly, cared for the sick and shut-in, administered an after-school tutorial program and opened our doors as a full-time school for expelled students from the public school system. We distribute 5000 pounds of food monthly to the elderly and needy. In addition to all of those ministries, our Pastor stays focused on the great mission of the church, “Winning Souls by Witnessing for the Lord Jesus Christ.” Under his leadership, a Bus Ministry was started. Two 15-passenger vans were purchased for this purpose. A Scholarship Fund has been established, wired music placed in the church and a new P.A. system installed. Pastor Shorter has deep concern for the unfortunate and seeks to fund their needs. Additionally, we purchased a house at 2600 8th Street at a cost of $80,000 to be used as an Activity Center for auxiliary meetings as well as other church related activities.
We are instrumental in helping our members get out of debt by our “Debt Reduction Selection Program” which consists of returning to selected members, each worship service, twice as much as they have given to the Lord and still give them credit for the amount given. The purpose of these returned double amount funds are to pay on a bill or pay off a debt.
Love Offerings are given during each worship service to two selected members from the membership list for the sole purpose of letting them know that we genuinely love them.
Members of True Vine are eligible to secure non-interest loans, with special approval, up to $500.00 without the penalty of interest added on the loan. All other non-special approved interest free loans are up to $300.00.
In November 2004 we were instrumental in purchasing the Payton’s house/barber shop and vacant lot next to it for building expansion and construction purposes.
Pastor Shorter had a vision for the True Vine Family to purchase all of the property on the eastern side of Broadway Avenue from Eight Street to Tenth Street. This vision also includes the construction of a new church facility on the recently acquired properties as well as on our present location. The new facility is to be one hundred seventy-five feet wide and one hundred and thirty feet deep.
On July 19, 2005 the church secured lot Two (2) of Square Five (5) of the Broadway Subdivision. The property, which is located at 809 Broadway Avenue, was purchased at a cost of $50,000.00. The Bill of Sale signed by Deacon Charlie Taylor and Deacon Willie L. Glasper. This property was purchased in order to have adequate land to build our new edifice
Rev. Shorter is the only pastor who has served as Pastor of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in two different centuries. He has served for eighteen years in the Twentieth century and for five years in the Twenty-first Century
Our Mission Statement is “Executing the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37), The Great Ministry (Matthew 24:34-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).