Maranatha Baptist Church was founded in the mid-1940’s as an Independent Baptist congregation. It remains a vibrant worship center serving multiple communities today.
The First Pastor
Rev. John W. Seaton, Jr., was called to the ministry as a young man and held pastorates in Woodville and Edith before he was called to Maranatha about 1947 to help develop the congregation and build a church. This photo shows Rev. Seaton and his family in the early 1950’s. (Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image.)
Outdoor Meetings
Prior to completion of the new church building, the congregation met outdoors. (Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.)
Construction
The congregation broke ground about 1947 for the church and parsonage. The photos below show ground-breaking and construction. (Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.)
Early Members
The founding church members were from the community around Toulon, Gates, Forked Deer, and Woodville. The thumbnails below show members in 1949. (Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.)
Growing Cotton for Income
To raise money for building the church, Maranatha congregants grew and sold cotton on land donated by a member. The thumbnails below show the cotton fields’ being worked by Maranatha members. (Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.)
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