Historical Overview of Wellman
Historical Overview of the Wellman Community
Much of the information in this historical overview for the Wellman community was taken form a July 2, 1996 interview by Henry J. Ledet of Mr. William F. Crawford and a March 5,1987 interview by Kay Calcote of Thomas Lynwood Moak. Some of the information concerning the history of the Wellman community was also derived from a most interesting book titled "Dummy Lines Throughout the Longleaf- A History of the Sawmills and Logging Railroads of Southwest Mississippi". Click here to view an Excerpt from "Dummy Lines Through the Longleaf" by Dr. Gilbert H. Hoffman
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The Wellman community found its' beginnings, as the logging of the long leaf pines brought families deep into the rich forest. "Dummy Lines" were created to allow rail tracks to transport the fish harvested timber.
At the base of several sections of track, a vibrant community became associated with the Pearl River Lumber Company. The community became known as Wellman.
The Pearl River Lumber Company was located at what we call Pearlhaven. In 1908, the Pearl River Lumber Company was the largest lumber mill in the state. Pearlhaven was the mill town for the lumber harvested from the Wellman Community. It was a separate incorporated town with its own mayor, it had a hospital and a doctor, a commissary, a school. The school was supported by the Pearl River Lumber Company. At one time the population of Pearlhaven exceeded the population of Brookhaven.
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The Wellman community was quite a distance from town. Without a doubt, the dummy lines aided this rural community in her effort to obtain basic necessities, but traveling such a distance to church was out of the question.
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Like most communities in the early 20th century, families in the long leaf pine industry desired to settle down and make a homestead. One of the primary ways to center a community together, in the past and the present, was to bring the people together to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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With such an influx of families, desiring to worship, the Wellman Baptist Church of 1908 began her distinct legacy as a "country church". Wellman Baptist Church took joy in being a "country church" in the past and 111 years later, the joy of being a "country church" continues today.
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Thus, the legacy of Wellman Baptist Church was born in the heart of the rural Wellman community. It took roots in the labor of a handful of devoted Christians. Click here to view Wellman Over the Years.
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Wellmans' Legacy
Wellman Baptist Church has a strong legacy in her native community. Founded in 1908, the church had at least 8 charter families. It was located in a bustling village, named Wellman, that had a post office, sawmill and several homesteads. Listed among some of the first members were: Mr. and Mrs. W.L McGraw, Mr. and Mrs. William Brister, Mr. and Mrs. George Brister, Mr. and Mrs. Dock Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. T.I. Ruby,Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Brister and Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Byrant. Although, no picture can be obtained, the Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission reports that Wellman's first pastor was J.D Schultz, 1908-1909.
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The earliest picture of Wellman Baptist Church is a black and white copy of an old white frame building (above). It was taken during the first term of Wellman's second pastor, the reverend Hosea B. Price. His first term was for three years form 1910- 1913. The photo was produced from a negative supplied by Bonnie L Cole, niece of Reverend Hosea B. Price. All the records during Reverend Price tenure and Wellman Baptist Church were destroyed in a fire.
The Mississippi Baptist Historical commission reports additional records and list the pastors of Wellman Baptist Church as follows.
1908-1909 J.D. Schultz
1910-1912 H.B. Price
1913-1915 L.I. Thompson
1916-1917 W.T. Graves
1918-1922 J.J. Terry
1923- 1925 F.I Busby
1926-1932 D.W Glover
1933 H.B. Price
1934 D.W. Glover
1935 James Allgood
1936-1937 J.J. Terry
1938-1942 J.H. Hammett
1943 Persie Renick
1944 No Pastor
1945-1946 Orman Knight
1947-1954 W.L Thompson
1955-1958 George H. Moseley
1959-1960 Wendell Jones
1961-1966 Martin Minor
1967 No Pastor
1968-1973 Huey Moak
1973-1977 Fred Morris
1978 Roy Black
1979-1982 Bob Long
1983-1985 Steve Smith
1986-1991 Robin Jumper
1992-1994 Thomas Wicker
1995-1996 No Pastor
1997-2000 Jim Everett
2001-2003 Daniel Perry
2004-2009 David Caves
2010-2011 Albert Rivera
2013-Present Jeff Davis
Unfortunately, most of the historical records of Wellman Church are scarce.The Mississippi Baptist Historical Commission provided much of the historical information we have. These historical nuggets date form 1908-2008 and relate to Wellman Baptist Church events, pastors, officers, delegates, membership and contributions. Click here to view the documents provided by the Historical Commission.
Pictured above is the ground breaking of the Education Building in the 1950's.
