Elm Grove Baptist Church celebrates over 100 years of service [Video]

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Elm Grove Baptist Church got its start in 1843, The history of the church traces back to when slaves living on the Johnson plantation got permission to organize a Baptist church.

The iconic bell that sits outside the church is 178 years old and was used by slaves. Each ring represented those still enslaved.

North Little Rock church gifts its building to a church impacted by the March 31 tornado last year

Now here they are 181 years later with the same care and devotion to the Pine Bluff community.

Pastor Jesse Turner’s message during their celebration was keeping a strong foundation. He says that’s how they’ve been able to keep their doors open all these years.

“This congregation is oldest in Arkansas as a black Baptist, it helps us to learn about our history, it helps us to learn about our resiliency,” Turner said.

Little …