"When he and Sister Elsie would travel to our Branch in the earlier days they would bring two suits of clothes. The roads were not yet paved and when they reached the bottom of Woodman Hill, especially after a rain, they would get bogged down. Putting branches under the wheels and getting out and pushing was the only way to get out of their predicament. Many times he would have to wash his face, arms, feet and legs at the well outside the church. He would then put on clean socks, a clean coat and tie and march triumphantly into the sanctuary."
Following the dedication service, Brother C. F. Davis (then Pastor of the Brewton, Ala. Branch) ran a series of meetings in 1936 for 21 days which netted 23 baptisms on June 14, 1936. In a collection taken up to help Bro. Davis on his way was $21.00, a wonderful collection in those days when $5.00 would buy a ‘Larder full of Staple foods’.
Each year, usually the last Sunday in the month of May, a homecoming service is held which has come to be a high point in the history of this Vancleave Branch.
Progress was evident in all areas of the church work. Electricity came to the "Little Brown Chruch" with the help of Bro. Earl Smith (electrical contractor) of Mobile, Ala., who lived in Vancleave as a child. Brothers Adger and Aquilla Miller also helped wire the building. Gas heaters and a new fence around our cemetery were just a few of the improvements that came to the church.
Spiritually our growth was evident by our membership which went from 125 at the end of 1935 to 165 as of December 1936.
Since 1879, god has blessed us with dedicated men and women. With pride we list the early Priesthood members of the Vancleave Branch:
J.C. Yocum (James Columbus)
Richard M. King
Simeon ‘Uncle Sim’ Cochran
Nroman Lafayette Boooker (N.L.)
William C. Yocum
Robert (Bob) McMillan
Council Goff
Sherwood Goff
Oscar Goff
George F. Rogers
Leslie W. Kohlman ( Later to become Bishop)
The foundation was securely laid for the continued growth of the members who have followed in their brethren’s footsteps.
The future of our church was realized in the potential of our children. In the early 40’s, a group called the "Blue Birds" was organized. Mrs. Elizabeth (Betty) Rice headed the group under the direction of Sister Myrtle Jennings. This group was for girls ages 7 through 9 taught the basis of our religion. Later the group disbanned, but from it the Zioneers were formed.
Through the evangelistic missionary work of the Vancleave Branch, a new group was added to the World Church. The Ocean Springs, Miss., Branch was organized on August 29, 1948, by the Vancleave Branch. The Women’s Department of the Ocean Springs Branch was organized in the home of Lyman Goff by Sister Myrtle Jennings and Sister Lizzie Miller of Vancleave, with Mary Parker elected as first Womens Leader. The first service of this newly formed group was held in the City Hall of Ocean Springs, Miss, on the 29th of August, 1948. Later David T. Givens was ordained as an Elder and Joe G. Arguelles as a Deacon. Fifteen members had been baptized into this group.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1948, Bro. W. Wallace Smith preached to the Saints. The "Good Shepard" was the subject he broached. Many of the Saints were touched by the Spirit of God and felt that Bro. Smith would soon become our Prophet and "Good Shepard". (Apostle William Wallace Smith was "ordained as President of the High Priesthood, and Prophet, Seer and Revalator to the church, October 6, 1958.)
Many inspiring services have been held during the history of our branch. Relating one:
In the late 40’s, Bro. Joseph Breshears held a series of meetings. During the week many members and non-members had attended. The last service were exceptionally moving and at the end of the service singing was heard by a number of members and non-members. Those who heard the singing looked to see who it was but no one was there. It is said that the angels sang to the congregation that day.
