Of the

approximate 110 churches currently in the county, 25 of

those date back to the 19th century and Little Vine

Baptist Church is one of those.

Begun in

May, 1888 in the Tyrone community, the building was made

of planks and framed with logs and boards. The top was

covered with shingles, pillars were made of old red

bricks and windows were made of boards of wood which

opened on hinges. Old chains were used to close them. Old

benches and chairs were donated by members.

A large

wooden heater was put in the middle of the church and a

well was dug to supply water. As years passed, this

church also served as the school for the black children

in the community.

Family

names of these early members include Dorsey, Belt, Lewis,

North, Astin and Shropshire.

The

membership has grown from a few dozen to nearly 250 and,

as is the case in Fayette County, they are hoping to

build a new sanctuary in the foreseeable future.

One of its

mission programs is the feeding of approximately 1,200 to

1,500 each month at various sites, such as battered women

and homeless shelters. The food is cooked at the church

and then transported, requiring many volunteers. If you

are interested in helping, they sure would like to hear

from you.

The men's

retreat will be June 9 at Callaway Gardens; July 30

members will head to Walt Disney World; HABIT, Health and

Bible Incorporated Together, is a program to lose weight

according to the scriptures and is offered each Saturday

morning at 8 a.m. Non-church members are also welcome.

Little

Vine's pastor is the Rev. R. L. Jones, who was born and

reared in Cordele, Wilcox County. He is a graduate of the

Turner Theological Seminary in Macon.

He has

pastored in Macon, Hawkinsville and Thomaston and has

been at Little Vine for 11 years. He has been married to

Betty since 1989 and they are the parents of Brittni, age

5.

Sunday

School is at 9:30 a.m., the worship service is at 10:45

a.m., adult choir rehearsal is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.,

Bible study is Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at

10 a.m., and a Friday night worship service is conducted

from 7 - 8 p.m.

The church

is at 115 Handley Road, Tyrone, and can be reached at

770-487-4686.