General Info

Hill Chapel Missionary Baptist Church is a body of Christ's baptized believers, acknowledging Him as the Head. United in the belief of the gospel, agreeing to maintain its ordinances and obey its precepts; agreeing to obey the rules and regulations as established by the body itself. Meeting together for worship with one common object: to give vent to the Holy Spirit, to accept the teachings of Christ, and to do what He has commanded. The church experienced five developmental periods during a span of One Hundred years and five pastors. The Founder: Reverend William Harris organized Hill Chapel in 1907. Its membership consisted of a small body of Christ's believers with determination, patience and faith. The church, a two-room shotgun house, attracted members who had a concern for people of the community and for God's glory and name. Rev. Harris died eight years after founding Hill Chapel. The Establisher: Reverend I. H. Jenkins was elected to the pastorate of Hill Chapel in 1915. He established a church expansion project to enlarge and remodel the church. During his twenty-seven year tenure, the church continued to be a beacon of hope and refuge to the downtrodden and forsaken. Rev. Jenkins served Hill Chapel faithfully until his death. The Builder: Reverend E.L. Slay became the third pastor Hill Chapel in 1942. The membership grew rapidly under the leadership of the big, handsome minister of the gospel with spiritual charisma. The pews filled, the fellowship with other churches broadened, and the church became associated with local, state and national Christian organizations. He instituted the teacher-training for the Sunday school teachers of Hill Chapel and encouraged church leaders to study Christian education. In the early years of his ministry, Rev. Slay preached Traveling by Faith so dynamically that it was requested that he preach it again. He preached it every first Sunday in February on his pastoral anniversary. And we are still traveling by faith. Nine years after pastoring Hill Chapel, Reverend E.L. Slay moved his congregation into a completely new edifice. The first service in the new $65, 000 structure was held July 6, 1952. Twenty years later in 1972, Reverend Slay led the congregation in completing a $100, 000 annex to the church. Upon his death, the membership of Hill Chapel was comprised principally of baptized believers, who were baptized by Rev. E.L. Slay during his thirty-five year tenure. Following the death of Reverend E.L. Slay, the pulpit committee of seven deacons was elected. The church voted to have Reverend Charles Thomas, a theology student and favorite son, to act as pulpit minister during the remaining part of his vacation from the Interdenominational Theology Seminary. The Organizer: On August 21, 1978, the church elected its fourth pastor Reverend J.L. Armstrong. He assumed the pastorate with great enthusiasm and zeal. Reverend Armstrong had a varied background in Baptist tradition and was a dynamic organizer. He began early in his ministry Hill Chapel in organizing the bench members and involving everyone into the church program. He organized many new programs and reorganized others. After pastoring Hill Chapel for five and half years, a disagreement between the church body and pastor Armstrong arose. On Sunday, May 20, 1984, the church voted 206 to 136 in favor of terminating the duties of Reverend Armstrong as pastor of Hill Chapel. The Revitalizer: On Monday, May 28, 1984, Reverend Robert Earl Jones, was elected by the church in its entirety, to the position of Interim Pastor. On July 11, 1984, Rev. Robert Earl Jones, a son of Hill Chapel was elected as the church's fifth pastor, and preached his first sermon as pastor on July 15, 1984. Rev. Jones accepted the responsibility of Hill Chapel and its two-hundred members. After accepting this great responsibility as pastor at the age of 26 of the church he was raised, baptized, licensed and ordained, he guided Hill Chapel Family into ne