Our History

In December of 1914 a small portion of the Deacon Board and few members decided they would separate from Shiloh Baptist Church and worship in the Cedar Street Hall at 8^th and Cedar Streets in Argenta, Arkansas.

A building was rented from the Masonic Lodge for $4.15 a month.  On February 15, 1915 Rev. A. P. Knowles was in charge or organizing the Eighth Street Baptist Church and installed Rev. L. L. Worlds as the first Pastor.  Immediately the doors of the church were opened to receive members and Sister Madie Fason was the first person to join.  The following persons were also added to the membership:  Mary Tally, Chaney Armar, Rose Bud Worlds, Nerva Anderson, Annie Mae Williams, Henry Anderson, Boss Jackson, William Tally, T. Y. Westbury, Adam Anderson, and Dink Jackson.

At a business meeting on February 21, 1915 at 7:30 p.m. the moderator (Rev. L. L. Worlds) held an election of the first officers of the church where Brother William Tally was elected as church clerk.

Brothers Henry Anderson, H. Walker, B. J. Gordon, Jack Bonds were elected as the first deacons of the Eighth Street Baptist Church.   And, Brother Dink Jackson was elected as treasurer.

Rev. Worlds immediately started the process to build a permanent place for the congregation to worship.  He brought an affidavit to the church to purchase a lot and paid the first down payment ($100.00), which left a balance of $500.00.  The monthly payment was $5.00 a month plus interest.  The total cost of the lot was $600.00 plus interest.  The lot was 50 feet wide and 165 feet long.

The members of Eighth Street Baptist Church started construction plans right away by first organizing a building fund committee.  This committee consisted of Boss Jackson, H. V. Justice, T. B. Bates, B. G. Gordon and William Tally.  Brother H. V. Justice was selected to draw up plans for the new church.  He made a blueprint of the building and the church endowed him with the power to go forth with the plans to construct a building.

The bid was let the following companies:  (1) Cochran Foster Lumber Company (2) Mechanics Lumber Company, (3) Seth Ferman Lumber Company, and (4) Bealer Lumber Company.  The church accepted the lowest bidder (Bealer Lumber Company).   On April 29, 1915 the trustees presented a contract to construct a building on their property at 800 North Hazel Street.

On May 13 1915 the Deacon Board awarded Brother H. V. Justice the contract to construct the building for $2.50 per day and Brothers Reason Jones, and Barker as carpenters.  The foundation for the new structure was 40 feet wide and 80 feet long.  The total cost of the building structure and furnishing was $2,400.50.

The church voted to accept the offer from Arkansas U120T Lodge #14 to lay a cornerstone 27"  wide x 36" long will all letters cut for a sum of $7.00. 

On September 7, 1915 the church voted to finish and pay off any outstanding bills.   A church rally was held and from monies collected from each member through pledges, they paid off the balances on labor and building materials.

At a meeting on April 23, 1916 a financial report stated the total collection since the church organized was $1,053.35.  The church was also being blessed financially by owning properties.  Some of the deeds included Deed #32576 Lot 1 Block 25 Rock Island Addition to Argenta; Deed #82320, Lot 1 Rock Island Addition to Argenta.

Rev. L. L Worlds founder and pastor of Eighth Street Baptist Church died in Texarkana, Arkansas in 1953.

In 1954 under the leadership of Rev. S. J. Moss a new structure was completed at 800 Hazel Street in North Little Rock but he died before the completion of the church.  Rev. W. R. Vaughn was elected pastor and during his tenure the church was finished.  Rev. Vaughan served as pastor of Eighth Street for 13 years.  Eighth Street also progressed financially with a proposed a budget of $10,644 for 1954. 

On May 29, 1958 the church burned and the fire destroyed many valuable records.  Services were held in Lincoln Elementary School until a new building could be constructed.  Since there are no written records from 1917 - 1952 a vital part of the church's history was lost. 

Rev. Vaughn resigned in as pastor on May 6, 1962.  Rev. R. T. Sawyer was then elected as the first full-time pastor of Eighth Street Baptist Church.   Under his leadership the membership grew immensely to over 200 on most Sundays.

On August 27, 1964 Eighth Street Baptist Church was once again forced to either make extensive remodeling and repair work on the church or move and build a new structure because of the Urban Renewal Project that was being developed in the community.   The church sold the property at 800 Hazel to Prothro Lodge for $15,000 on April 4, 1969.

On October 30, 1969 under the leadership of Rev. R. T. Sawyer the trustees were authorized to purchase lots on the corner of 9^th and Hickory Streets.  John Smith accepted the bid to build a new church for $45,000.  The groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 15, 1970 and Eighth Street built a new church for $46,674.74.

The church was also instrumental in purchasing the property next door (813 Hickory Street) belonging to Ulysses & Nancy Harris (former members); and the property directly behind the church (9^th & Walnut Street) from the Gillerson family (heirs of Ms. Mazetta Powell) on March 26, 1984 for approximately $11,000.00.

On June, 1983 Deacon Joseph Jordan presented 3 proposals to the church and Deacon Board with estimates to expand the church.  These estimates ranged from $200,000 - $300,000 respectively.   On October 5, 1984 Deacon Andrew Power reported that the National Bank of Arkansas and several other banks had been contacted regarding securing a loan for the proposed building expansion but the loan could only be secured if the church received $68,000 in pledges.  Deacon Power said other banks would approve the loan but wanted a 15% down payment.  At this time Eighth Street Baptist Church had cash assets totally $71,947.00.

On June 30, 1986 Deacon Power reported that the property across the street (old Lincoln Elementary School) had been offered to the S. A. Jones High Alumni Association for $50,000 with stipulations but they turned the offer down.  The property alone was 45,000 square feet (180ft x 250 ft). 

Rev. R. T.  Sawyer announced on December 5, 1986 that he would retire effective December 31, 1987.  Rev. Victor Moore was appointed as presiding minister on December 4, 1987 with the stipulation that other ministers would be allowed to preach.  Pastor Sawyer served for 25 years (1962-December, 1987).

On January 22, 1988 the pastoral committee presented a questionnaire to the membership requesting information to things to look for in searching for a pastor. The committee worked on a job description and the policy manual was revised.  There were 32 applications for the position. 

On April 29, 1988 during a special meeting Rev. John V. Harris from San Antonio, Texas was selected as the new pastor of Eighth Street Baptist Church.  He officially assumed his position effective on July 10, 1988.  Pastor Harris retired from Eighth Street Baptist Church in June of 2001 with 14 years of service.  Rev. Victor Moore and Rev. Don Moses were asked to fill the pulpit on Sundays until he could make a permanent move.

Pastor Harris and Deacons recommended on September 12, 1988 that the trustees be empowered to pursue the purchase of two acres of property at 900 S. A. Jones Drive and Hickory Streets at a cost of $65,000 and obtain additional acres.

Rev. Kaderick Jones was elected as Pastor of Eighth Street Baptist Church on May 4, 2003 and the membership grew tremendously.  Pastor Jones served Eighth Street for approximately 3 years.

On August 10, 2006 by a majority vote the church elected Rev. Jameel Wesley the 14^th Pastor.  He began his pastoral leadership on September 3, 2006.   The congregation has experience phenomenal growth, both spiritually and physically in the last three years.   Pastor Wesley continuously adds to the flock at Eighth Street Baptist Church.   In 2006 there were 21 people to join under his leadership beginning in September.  Because of his total commitment to preach and teach the Word of God the membership continues to increase each year.

·        Year 2007              32 Members

·        Year 2008              67 Members

·        Year 2009              78 Members

·        Year 2010              35 Members

In April of 2009 Rev. Wesley put into operation a plan "Project Grace" to build a new church for Eighth Street from tithes and offerings only.   A committee was formed to assist Pastor Wesley with the implementation of the plan.

Since that time the building fund has more than tripled within 18 months after the inception of Project Grace.   Architectural plans have been drawn up and the members of Eighth Street Baptist Church are pressing toward the mark of building a new church under his leadership.

• Rev. L. L. Worlds
• Rev. Porter, Little Rock, AR
• Rev. C. A. Simpson, Earle, AR
• Rev. Smith, Crossett, AR
• Rev. A. H. Hill, Allport, AR
• Rev. Joe Brown, North Little Rock, AR
• Rev. Simpson, North Little Rock, AR
• Rev. Lovelace, Little Rock, AR
• Rev. Moss, North Little Rock, AR
• Rev. W. R. Vaughn, Helena, AR
• Rev. Riley T. Sawyer, Cotton Plant, AR
• Rev. John V. Harris, San Antonio, TX
• Rev. Kaderick Jones, Little Rock, AR