Mount Nebo Church celebrates 100 years

Apr. 6—It's a celebration that's been a century in the making.

Mount Nebo Baptist Church @ Bethlehem in Hartshorne is turning 100 years old. Members and guests are celebrating its anniversary with special morning and afternoon services on Sunday, April 7.

Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame member, former Oklahoma University quarterback and former District 4 U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts is featured speaker at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The Rev. Anthony Washington, pastor of Mount Triumph Missionary Baptist Church in Hartshorne is featured speaker for the 2:30 p.m. service at Mount Nebo, which is at 404 S. Seventh St. in Hartshorne.

Theme of the 100th Anniversary is "Celebrating the Past, Living Today, Creating Our Future" Galatians 6:9-10. Special recognition will be coming from state and national leaders as well as from local and county officials, organizers said.

Mount Nebo Baptist Church @ Bethlehem is the lone surviving Black church out of more than eight Black churches that once operated in Hartshorne and the surrounding rural area.

"We're the only one still standing, said Mount Nebo pastor, the Rev. Aaron Williams, who is the 16th pastor to fill that role.

What led to Mount Nebo's longevity?

Williams said the church's success owes a lot those who came before, as well as those who continue to support it.

That includes people such as the late Louis Smitherman, Williams said. Smitherman's grandfather, Joe Riddle, and his father, Bland Smitherman, were both deeply involved in the church.

"He took that torch and continued," Williams said. "A lot of credit goes to people like him." Even when Louis Smitherman worked out-of-town, as a city manager, he would return to Hartshorne and continue to support the church, Williams said.

Many others families and individuals have helped with the church through its 100 year history, Williams noted.

"We are grateful to all of the families who helped us get to this milestone," Williams said.

Not only have individuals and families helped, assistance has come from other quarters as well, including the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the group known as Oklahoma Campers On Mission.

That group came down and performed a remodel on the church, which included constructing a hallway connecting the main church building and the church hall, Williams said.

Although Mount Nebo is a predominately Black church, it also has white and Native American members.

"We have a wonderful congregation," said Williams.

"I'm so honored to serve as Mount Nebo's sixteenth pastor," said Williams, who serves with his wife, the church's first lady, Michelle Williams.

"The Lord has placed a lot of great friends in our path to help us do some much-needed things," Aaron Williams said.

Don and Carla Smitherman will serve as masters of ceremony for the afternoon program. The Welcome and Occasion will be given by James Drayton and Brandy Vasquez. Church History will be done by Deaconess Marilyn Smitherman and an In Memoriam will be done by Mary Beth Neighbors and Kathy Price. Special guest musician is Gerri Burris of East Star Missionary Baptist Church in McAlester. Lady Loise Butler Washington will introduce her husband, Anthony, for the afternoon speaking. Price is also the 100th Church Anniversary Chairperson.

Williams also offered information about the church's history.

Mount Nebo Baptist Church was founded in rural Hartshorne in 1924 by Joe Riddle, Alex Smitherman, Oscar Brown, Johnny. D. Walker, Mose Anderson, Ernie Oulds and Reedie Mosley.

For 80-plus years the Church was northeast of Hartshorne, and its last location was on Nebo Road. In the mid-2000's Mount Nebo began the move to its current location at 404 S. Seventh Street in Hartshorne.

The move came about when Mount Nebo Baptist Church trustees met with the only living Trustee of Bethlehem Baptist Church, the Rev. William Windham; An agreement was reached, and Mount Nebo and Bethlehem Baptist Church came together. Mount Nebo then relocated from Nebo Road to 404 S. 7th Street. This was done under the leadership of Rev. Brandy and Deacons Louis Smitherman and Phillip Ockletree Sr; Bethlehem Baptist Church that was founded in late 1800s to early 1900s in the Choctaw Nation and Chickasaw Nation Territory.

On December 17, 2022, the Board of Trustees of Mount Nebo and pastor Williams signed a resolution to add the name @ Bethlehem to the church name, making it Mount Nebo Baptist Church @ Bethlehem

The church theme is "A Church of Great Expectations" Psalm 62:5 — "My soul, wait thou only upon God; For my expectation is from him and Proverbs 29:18 — Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

"The Lord has been mighty nice to Mount Nebo. The church will continue to press on until we come to the end of our journey," said Williams.