History of St. Stephens Baptist

Old Church Theme: “And I tell you Peter, on this rock I will build my church and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” - Matthew 16-18

The St. Stephens Baptist Church was organized on November 1 st , 1873, by the late Rev. W. H. Hickerson, a son of the Antioch Baptist Church in King George County. Rev. Hickerson was born November 11 th , 1835.

The King George Courthouse records state that on “July 4, 1873”, a deal and deed was created between “George and Mildred Sorrell and Samuel Manning and Woodson Hickerson (Trustees for the benefit of the congregation of “Charity Church”)” for the sum of “Thirty -Two Dollars” {DB 21@ pg. 11-12}.

The first church building was a few yards away from the present site and where the Rev. W. H. Hickerson is laid to rest. Rev. Hickerson served St. Stephens Baptist Church faithfully for 38 years until his passing on September 15 th , 1911. He wasthe husband of Marian Tibbs of Washington DC, his second wife was RosannaHickerson of King George, VA.

Rev. W. H. Hickerson fathered 17 children from both marriages, there were 6 ministers of the Gospel among them: Rev. St. John Divine Hickerson, Rev. Joshua Hickerson, Rev. Amos Hickerson, Rev. Obadiah Hickerson, Rev.Abraham Hickerson, and Rev. Melchiah Hickerson.

Rev. Hickerson also served other Churches in the county including, Little Ark Baptist Church and Union Bethel Baptist Church. Rev. Hickerson was also the moderator of the Mt. Bethel Association, Washington DC.

There were many dedicated members who alongside Rev. Hickerson that helped organize the first church and original members/officers include: Richard Parker, Anthony Taylor, Richard Grymes, Anderson Manning, Willis Clark, James Burrell, Hilliard Jackson, {Treasurer} Edward Frazier, {Sexton} Mack Clark, and {Church Clerk} Samuel Manning {list from article from June 20, 1901 from the Free Lance Star Newspaper}.

Other Deacons under Rev. W. H. Hickerson who served were - Frederick Winston, Dennis Clark, George Cole, Giles Bumbry, Joseph Lee, Wesley Scranage, Sr, Blake Smith, Willie Taylor, A. Thompson, and Peter Washington Sr.

In between Rev. W.H. Hickerson and Rev Robert Ford, the following Pastors served St. Stephens Baptist Church from 1911 to 1941.

• Rev. James Robinson -Washington DC – 12 years

• Rev. Moses Bushrod – Westmoreland, VA – 8 years

• Rev. Lloyd Watts- Washington DC – 5 years

• Rev. W.H. Tyler – Baltimore, MD – 2 years

• Rev. Willie Carter – Stafford, VA – 2 years

Rev Robert Ford was the Seventh - Pastor who served at St. Stephens Baptist Church. Rev. Robert Ford was born July 25, 1896, and he served for 27 years until

his sudden death on December 20, 1969. During his duration at St. Stephens a new choir was organized, and the first piano was purchased. A yard lamp and plaque bearing the name of the Church and Sundays of worship were posted.

The first pianist was Sister Maria Scranage, the second was Sister Ella Scranage, she served faithfully until she left for college, the third was Deacon Abner Dorsey and the 4th was Sharon Rodger and Bro Michael Canada and Sis Natalie Kay.

St. Stephens was blessed to have dedicated Deacons and Trustees through the years that served their post faithfully until their death:

Deceased Deacons: Seymour Coakley, Fred Winston, Henry Holmes, William H. Washington, Samuel Washington, Isaiah Scranage, Lem Bumbry, James Brown, Eddie Brown, James Stewart, Lee Conway, Wesley Scranage, David Ford, Abner Dorsey, Clarence Ford, Anthony Brent, Horace Conway, Mitchell Watson.

Major Church Events under Rev Robert Ford …

• June 16 th , 1954 Deacon Boxley on trial.

• Sept 11, 1954 Deacon Lomax White on trial /April 21, 1962

• July 13 th , 1957 – Sis Christine Rodgers formed 1 st Jr. Usher Board-under Rev. Ford

• December 21, 1958 -initial sermon Bro. McKay

• July 26 th , 1959 – Bro McKay ordained as Preacher

• March 20, 1960 – Deacon Boxley was Ordained

• April 19, 1964, Deacon Lomax White Ordained

• May 10 th , 1964 – Pastor’s Aid formed -President Mattie White

• April 18 th , 1964 – Current Pulpit set purchased by Willing Worker Club

• January 9 th , 1965 – Church voted 3 Sunday Services, 1 st , 2nd & 3rd Sunday services

• June 14 th , 1970 – Minister Robinson of Baltimore speaker of the day (no pastor at that time)

• February 7 th , 1970 – Youth Choir formed – Abner Dorsey

• January 9 th , 1971 – Deacon’s George Stewart, Earl Boxley and James Robert Ford ordained .

• March 1981 - Bricks were purchased to Brick the Church .

• June 5 th 1982 – Transition from Wine to Grape Juice.

• 1983 – Trustees – Rosetta Steward, John Steward Jr and Marie White installed as trustees

Rev. William T. Bumbry served was the Eighth - Pastor who served at St. Stephens Baptist Church from April, 11, 1971 faithfully until his death on February 5th , 1990. Rev. Bumbry was called to the gospel ministry in 1961 ordained and became Assistant Pastor of Macedonia in 1963. He received his theology under auspices at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA, he was also the moderator of Northern Neck Sunday School Union. He also Served as Vice President of the newly organized Ministerial Association in King George. Under his leadership the church was completely renovated and additional land was purchased and the basement was completed under his leadership. Rev. Bumbry’s prime concern was to lead his people in the Christian Pathway.

Rev. William Bumbry was married to his faithful companion Odessa Bumbry, this union was blessed with one child, a daughter, Yvonne.

Major Church Events under Rev. William Bumbry …

• June 14 th , 1970 – Minister Robinson of Baltimore speaker of the day (no pastor at that time)

• February 7 th , 1970 – Youth Choir formed – Abner Dorsey

• January 9 th , 1971 – Deacon’s George Stewart, Earl Boxley and James Robert Ford ordained .

• March 1981 - Bricks where purchased to Brick the Church .

• June 5 th 1982 – Transition from Wine to Grape Juice.

• 1983 – Trustees – Rosetta Steward, John Steward Jr and Marie White installed as trustees

Deceased Deacons: Deacon Leon Boxley started his trail as a Deacon on June 16, 1954 and Deacon Lomax White started his trail as Deacon on September 11, 1954. Deacon’s George Steward, Earl Boxley and James Robert Ford ordination was January 9, 1971 a Deacons.

Trustees: Rosetta Steward, John Steward Jr, Marie White were installed as Trustees in 1983, Bro Harold White Jr. was installed.

Our current trustees are Chairperson Marilyn Davis who was installed on March 15th , 1995 and Trustee Kim Parker and Bertha White was installed in 2022.

Our current leader Bishop Anthony Jones, many accomplishments have been made here at St. Stephens.

Bishop Anthony Jones, many accomplishments have been made here at St. Stephens.

Bishop Anthony Jones, Sr, now leads St. Stephens Baptist Church. Bishop Jones was born January 16th , 1966 to the late Russell and Shirley Jones natives of Spotsylvania County. Bishop Jones is married to First Lady Brenda D. Jones, their union was blessed with two children, Pastor Anthony M. Jones, II and Sydney D. Jones.

Bishop Anthony Jones, received his education in Spotsylvania County Public Schools and furthered his education at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA. St. Stephens has many achievements under Bishop Jones leadership. The ordination and licensing of the church’s son Rev. Anthony M. Jones II and the first female minister, Linda White was licensed under Bishop Jones. The first female Deacon to be ordained under Bishop Jones is , Deacon Sharon Greer. Deacon Vernon Davis (Chairman) and Deacon Melvin Lucas both ordained under Bishop Jones.

Under Bishops Jones leadership the church upgraded the floors in the sanctuary, added a restroom in the lobby area and formed the William T. Bumbry Choir that was named after the late Rev. William Bumbry. St. Stephen has blessed the community over the years during the Thanksgiving holidays with donations of over 50 baskets each year. Bishop Jones has blessed the church with the following accomplishments.

Deceased Deacons: Our current Deacons are Chairperson Deacon Sharon Greer; Deacon Emeritus Lomax White, Sr., Deacon Vernon Davis; Deacon Melvin Lucas; Deacon Preston Washington.

Trustees: Our current trustees are Chairperson Kim Parker; Trustee Marilyn Davis who was installed on March 15 th , 1995 and Chairperson Trustee Kim Parker and Bertha White were installed in 2022.

Our current leader Bishop Anthony Jones, many accomplishments have been made here at St. Stephens.

Bishop Anthony Jones, many accomplishments have been made here at St. Stephens.

Administration:

• Three Times President of the Northern Neck Baptist Churches and Sunday School Union

  • Multiple times as 1 st & 2 nd Vice for the Northern Neck Baptist Churches and Sunday School Union as an Officer

  • Visionary for Local Black Churches Unity in King George County, VA

  • Development of a Union Scholarship Fund for the First Year College Students

  • Easter Sun Rise Unity Services – Seven Churches

  • New Year’s Eve Unit Services – Seven Churches

• Focused on Spiritual Church Growth in Attendance & Biblical Knowledge

• Kingdom Vision Casting Yearly with the Elder & Lay Leaders

• Focused on International Missions Outreach ( Has traveled to Haiti for Missions)

• Pastoral & Spiritual Counseling to Families

• Committed to a Debt Free Church with Central Treasury Concept

• Focused & Created a Church Building Fund

• Creation of a Yearly Church Scholarship Fund for College Students

• Development of a Dance Ministry, Nurse Ministry & Pastor’s Aide Ministry

• Purchased and Paid off Nine New Stained-Glass Windows

• The Padding and Restoration of Pews (Twice)

• Purchasing of Two New Piano’s & Electric Keyboard

• Purchased New Front Air Conditioning System (May 2016)

• Replaced Front Doors and added a Handicap Ramp with Railings

• Purchased of a New Sound System

• Purchasing of a Drum Set for the Church

• Purchase of Two Church Vans

• Around 50 to 60 Thanksgiving Boxes annually for the local Community Thanksgiving Drive

• Bi-Yearly Window/Widower Care during the Fall of the Year (Thanksgiving and Christmas)

• The Church added a New Handicapped Bathroom Upstairs in 2016

• Refurbished the Sanctuary Floors ($35K) with Hardwood in 2018

• Purchased Three Metal Security Doors ($16K) in March 2019

• Refurbished the Windows ($6K) with Plexiglass Cover in June 2019

• Currently working on a $300K Building Fund project with a goal to pay if off in 7 years or less.

Bishop Jones has faithfully served St. Stephens for 3 years.

“We have come this far by faith”