History

The Salem Baptist Church began its origin in the year of 1852. The original building was a log cabin with one large window in the front, one window in the back, and two large windows on each side. A large pot-bellied stove was used for heat. There were two Salem churches at this time. One was located north from here on what is now called Padgett Road. 

In 1904, under the pastoral ship of Rev. Kirkland, the two churches split. Part of the church left and formed what was known as New Salem. Later, the two churches were consolidated under the pastoral ship of Rev. L.W. Mason.

The church building was destroyed by fire two times and each time it was rebuilt. The church continued to grow under the direction of the Holy Spirit. 

Past ministers of the churches were: Rev. Ben Dockery, Rev. B.H. Hayes, Rev. Jordon, and Rev.  Dorgan, Rev. Kirkland – 1904 (split), Rev. Ford – 1912, Rev. Tom Anderson, Rev. A.B. Winston, Rev. Ewing, Rev. McGraw, Rev. Neal, Rev. McGee, Rev. Thompson, Rev. Fowler, Rev. Burk Hanes, Rev. Preston Anderson, Rev. Jones, Rev. D.W. Moore, Rev. Boiley, Rev. H.H. Dierrecks, Rev. House, Rev. Clemmons Upshaw, Rev. E.A. Anderson, Rev. Martin Hayes, Rev. L.W. Mason (consolidated both churches), Rev. Fred Croston, Rev. T.L. Scott, Rev. Earlie Mack – 1950-1988, Rev. Joe Dixon (interim pastor 1988-1989, Rev. Odie Phillips – 1989-1992, Rev. Robert McCray – 2011-2012, Rev. Bennie L. Jackson, Jr – 1993-2012 ( church split 2012).

Deacons that served these churches were: Bro Jeff Pitts, Bro. George Atkinson, Bro. Henry Atkinson, Bro. Berry Simpson, Bro. Earl (Bud) Thompson, and Bro. Will Stewart, Bro. Perry Powell, Bro. A.K. Pearson, Bro. Charlie Williams,  Bro. Fred Nunly, Bro. Dave Simpson, Bro. Sam Henderson, Bro.Lee Krout, Bro. Eligah Nunly, Bro. Essec Davis, Bro. J.W. Stevenson, Bro. Horse Piggee, Bro. Evans Williams and Bro. Herley Hammons.

Mothers of the church were: Sis. Phebe Pearson, Sis. Nellie Bell, Sis. Mollie Edmondson, Sis. Tabby Little John, Sis. Etta Johnson, Sis. Willie Ann Atkinson, Sis. Mamie Bunting, Sis. Leola Hammons, Sis. Emma Williams, Sis. Addie Piggee, Sis. Cora Rogers and Sis. Frances Cunningham.

The clerks who served the two churches were: Bro. Horse Piggee, Bro. West Stevenson, Bro. Earl Bud Thompson and Bro. Henry Atkinson. Sis. M.J. Hill was elected clerk in 1934 and left to attend college. Bro. Henry Atkinson served until she returned. In 1965, Bro Herley Hammons was elected clerk. Sis. M.J. Hill was elected again in 1971.

(End of Church History presented by Mrs. T.L. Sewell)

In 1965, a new building was erected under the pastoral ship of Rev. Earlie Mack.

In 1975, under Rev. Earlie Mack’s administration, a new addition was added onto the church – this included three bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and two classrooms. Also, during this year, Rev. Elbert Credit was licensed as a minister. Bro. Leon Henderson was elected as assistant clerk. New additions were completed in 1976 that consisted of installing central heating and air conditioning.

On March 22, 1979, Bro. Elbert Credit was ordained a minister at Salem Missionary Baptist Church and was called to serve as pastor of Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. 

On April 15, 1979, Bro. Cottril Dickerson brought a statement to the church concerning his calling to the ministry.  On July 1, 1979 received his minister’s license presented to him by Rev. Earlie Mack. 

The Lord blessed Salem Baptist Church to ordain four deacons on April 8, 1981. They were: Bro. Leon Henderson, Bro. Ladell Brown, Bro.Kimmie Cleveland and Bro. Larry Acklin. Rev. Larry Freeman also accepted his call to the ministry.

In September 1985, construction of the new sanctuary began and was completed in March 1986. The dedication services of the new sanctuary were in April 1987. The old sanctuary was divided into five classrooms and a choir room. Pastor Earlie Mack had been our spiritual leader for thirty-three years. The deacons serving at this time were: Bro. Evans Williams, Bro. Herley Hammons, Bro. Ladell Brown, Bro. Kimmie Cleveland, Bro. Danny Thomas, Bro. Leon Henderson and Bro. Larry Acklin. Bro. Leon Henderson was the financial clerk and Bro. Larry Acklin was the church clerk.

In 1988, Rev. Earlie Mack became ill after thirty-seven years of pastoring. Rev. Joe Dixon served as interim pastor for Salem Baptist Church from 1988-1989.

On August 27, 1989, the deacon board recommended to the church, Rev. O.D. (Odie) Phillips as pastor. The church accepted the recommendation after much prayer. Rev. O.D. Phillips became the pastor of Salem Missionary Baptist Church serving from 1989-1992.

Under the administration of Rev. O.D. Phillips, the church was paid off.

On March 2, 1991, Bro. Claude Henderson was ordained as a deacon of Salem Missionary Baptist Church. The deacon board recommended to the church Rev. William Forte’ to be ordained as a minister.

August 1993, Rev. Bennie L. Jackson, Jr was elected as pastor of Salem Missionary Baptist Church and served for nineteen years.  The church split under this administration in September 2012.

In 1994, Bro. Darryl Foster, Bro. Harold Henderson and Bro. Phenord Hicks were ordained as deacons of Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Other deacons serving at this time were: Bro. Larry Acklin, Bro. Ladell Brown, Bro Kimmie Cleveland, Bro. Leon Henderson, and Bro. Clarence Johnson. 

On April 16, 1997, the old part of the church burned. Services were held outside under a tent for three months, undisturbed by rain, until we moved into our new sanctuary. The new sanctuary was completed in January 1998 and included eight new classrooms, fellowship hall and kitchen, nursery,church office,library, choir room and three bathrooms. The dedication service was held in March 1998.

From October 2004-May 2005, the church worshipped in the Doyne Health building located on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas until repairs were made on the roof of the sanctuary. The church property was annexed to the city of Conway and city water was connected to the church.

(Revisions and additions to the church history were made by Sis. Pearline Davis and Sis. Casterene Henderson)

On September 8, 2011, Rev. Robert McCray was elected as interim pastor of Salem Missionary Baptist Church. He served from September 2011-September 2012.

 May 2011 – January 2024 – Salem Missionary Baptist Church endured some turbulent years under the leadership of Rev. Bennie L. Jackson Jr.

2024 -Deacons serving at this time are: Bro. Larry G. Acklin, Bro. Kimmie Cleveland, and Bro. Darryl Foster.  Church clerk serving is Sis. Rachel Hammons Jackson.

As stated by Sis. T. L Sewell in her files dated 12-7-1958, “There have been some dark days and some bright days that will add stars to our crown.  But in the midst of it all the old ship of Zion has landed many, and is still carrying on.”

On August 28, 2024, during a regular scheduled church business meeting, the pulpit committee recommended to the church the newly elected pastor of Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Tony Byers. Rev. Byers’ first service as pastor was on Sunday, September 22, 2024.