South Haven Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (Macon, Mississippi, USA)
The South Haven Church of God in Christ, Mennonite congregation in Macon, Mississippi, USA began in spring 1965. The congregation started after the Colonization Board of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite had investigated the area and encouraged settlement. It had found readily available land for purchase suitable for raising soybeans and for dairy and beef operations.
The first families to move held Sunday school in homes. Worship was led by the head of the household where the meeting was held. In August 1966 Minister John Wedel and his family joined the congregation. This regularized things, and in November 1966 the congregation began to rent the former Salem High School building. Work began on a new church building in January 1968. The first service was held on 3 March 1968. The name "South Haven" was selected at that time. Significant remodeling and additions to the building took place in 1995/96.
A sister congregation was established in Brooksville in 1974 where a number of families had lived. About 75 members, a pastor, and a deacon joined the new congregation. Similarly, the Southern Star church was established at Geiger, Alabama that was composed of persons who initially worshiped at South Haven. In about 2017 the congregation helped to establish the Stateline Mennonite Church in Aliceville, Alabama. A pastor moved to the new congregation.
The South Haven Mennonite School was constructed in fall 1971. It was shared with the Brooksville and Southern Star until they established their own schools. Stateline congregational children still used the school in 2020.
In 2020 the congregation was part of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. The ministers were Larry Giesbrecht and Bryan Nightingale.
Bibliography
Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Yearbook (1996-2020).
Histories of the congregations. 3rd. ed. Moundridge, Kansas: Gospel Publishers, 1999: 378-381.
Additional Information
Address: 6049 Prairie Point Road, Macon, Mississippi 39341
Phone: 662-726-2658
Website:
Denominational Affiliations:
Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
Ordained Pastors at the South Haven Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Church
| Name | Years of Service |
|---|---|
| John C. Wedel (1917-2016) | 1966-1974 |
| Don Seiler | 1968-1984 |
| Leo Classen | 1973-2019 |
| Keith Nightingale | 1978-2005 2007-2018 |
| Larry Giesbrecht | 1983-present |
| Ronald Schmidt | 1999-2017 |
| Bryan Nightingale | 2013-present |
Membership at the South Haven Church of God in Christ, Mennonite Church
| Year | Membership |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 172 |
| 2000 | 194 |
| 2010 | 165 |
| 2020 | 180 |
| Author(s) | Samuel J Steiner |
|---|---|
| Date Published | February 2021 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Steiner, Samuel J. "South Haven Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (Macon, Mississippi, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. February 2021. Web. 26 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=South_Haven_Church_of_God_in_Christ,_Mennonite_(Macon,_Mississippi,_USA)&oldid=169919.
APA style
Steiner, Samuel J. (February 2021). South Haven Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (Macon, Mississippi, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 26 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=South_Haven_Church_of_God_in_Christ,_Mennonite_(Macon,_Mississippi,_USA)&oldid=169919.
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