Dating Back To The 1800s, Woodville Baptist Church Is The Oldest Church In Mississippi
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published November 04, 2020
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
If the walls of Woodville Baptist Church could talk, they’d have a lot to say — and that’s because it’s the oldest church in the state. The historic structure dates back centuries, and its congregation goes back even further. Its impressive qualities don’t end there, though. In addition to everything else, it was one of the founding churches of the Mississippi Baptist Association. Read on to learn all about this historic church.
As you’ve probably already guessed, Woodville Baptist Church is located in the tiny town of Woodville, which is in Wilkinson County.
Its red brick exterior is rather ordinary and somewhat typical of the churches scattered throughout Mississippi. However, Woodville Baptist Church is anything but ordinary.
Woodville Baptist Church was one of the founding churches of the Mississippi Baptist Association — and may have been among the first in the state to be integrated.
Between its age and historical significance, Woodville Baptist Church is an amazing piece of the past — but it’s not the only piece of the past you’ll find in Woodville.
Part of the National Register of Historic Places, the buildings in the district represent several architectural styles. Most of the buildings were constructed between 1820 and 1930, which means Woodville Baptist Church is among the oldest.