"The Light On The Hill" 

Our History

Established in 1837 the Collinsville Baptist Church is the oldest Baptist Church in DeKalb County.   It has an interesting history.  Its beginning was as Rocky Mount Church, located two miles south of Collinsville.  Elder John Gilliland was moderator.  During the years 1837 to 1845 records indicate a difference of opinion on the mission responsibility of the church.       In 1845 a group from this church met and organized the Baptist Church of Christ Pleasant Grove.  This group included W.C. Mynotte, Aaron Hancock, James Mitchell, Harris Brock, Joe Brock, E.T. Goggans, T.B. Watts, Van Hall, Jesse Glazner, and others.  W.C. Mynotte was elected pastor and T.B Watts, clerk.  The deacons were James Mitchell, T.B. Watts and Joe Brock.        The first building was erected in 1845 and was probably located north of town at a place known to many as Reed Hill. The second building was built about 1870, probably near where Foodland is located. The third building was erected in 1886. In 1896 the Pleasant Grove Church changed the name to Collinsville Baptist Church. Churches that grew out of this church include Mt. Lookout, Mt. Vernon and Shady Grove.     A Sabbath School was organized at the church in 1888, and a baptistry was added in 1896. On June 18, 1910 the church voted to accept a lot for a pastor's home, donated by the Ladies Aid Society (WMU). The present building was constructed in 1928 and dedicated on April 7, 1929. The property on which the church is located was purchased from Mr. Alfred Collins. In order to pay for the property the church voted to sell the pastorium!     The BYPU (now church training) State Convention was held at the Collinsville Baptist Church in April 1908. ( It was first organized in this church in 1894) At that time Collinsville Baptist had the second largest BYPU in Alabama. A Cradle Roll Department was added in 1911.  The WMU (formerly the Ladies Aid Society) was organized in this church in 1900.  Mrs. G.Y. Newman was the first president. In 1914 she organized a WMU at First Baptist Church, Fort Payne. She was the first associational WMU superintendent, a position she held for many years. The first Sunbeam Band in DeKalb County was organized at the Collinsville Baptist Church before 1914 when they helped organize one at First Baptist Church, Fort Payne.     On August 1, 1937 the Collinsville Baptist Church celebrated its Centennial.  Rev. V. L. Wyatt, a former pastor, gave the centennial sermon. In August 1987 a 150th Anniversary celebration was held. Former pastor Rev. John Jeffers brought the message.        On Sunday, October 8, 1996, a historic marker was unveiled and dedicated on the church lawn.  The marker denotes the importance of our location as an Indian Mound, and Inn and a Church. The marker was sponsored by The Study Club of Collinsville, The Town of Collinsville, Landmarks of DeKalb County, and Alabama Historical Association.

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