By Sheila Duncan
Reporter
On Sunday, September 22, 2024, family and friends came together at 200 Cooper Avenue in Brent, Alabama, to dedicate their new worship center. This new building has been under construction for the past couple of years. Reverend Gregory Dumas, the pastor, led the dedication service, themed “A House of Sacrifices,” with Reverend James Dumas as the guest speaker. The Mt. Ebell Baptist Church boasts a rich history that began in 1922 and continues to thrive today.
In 1912, much like some other congregations, this church was formed as a result of a split from their sister church, Mount Tabor Baptist Church. A group of devoted deacons and their families united to worship in a “brush arbor”—a simple, makeshift shelter made from tree branches laid over wooden frames, serving as their meeting place. This modest structure stood in Bibb County, near Eoline, where the Old Zion Church also gathered. Under the leadership of Rev. Love, who was chosen as the pastor, the small but committed group began to organize their new church.
At first, the small congregation didn’t have a name, but they soon moved to a log house at what is now 105 Martin Luther King Drive in Brent, AL. They worshipped there until one of the deacons, Lum Wilson—known affectionately as “Uncle Lum”—offered the use of his home, which was located directly behind the site of our current old church building at 35 Nicholson Street in Brent. Eventually, “Uncle Lum” donated the very piece of land where our old church now stands.
In the early 1920s, a small church building was constructed on the new piece of land, with Rev. Odom serving as pastor. After the church was built, the congregation was given a permanent name. Initially, it was called Mount Easterbell Baptist Church, in honor of Bro. Lum Wilson’s wife, Easter. Later, the name was shortened to Mount Ebell Baptist Church, which remains the name today.
For 112 years, Mt. Ebell Baptist Church has had twenty pastors. The current pastor, Rev. Gregory Dumas, has served the longest, with a tenure of 26 years. Throughout various challenges, this congregation has persevered. They have faced many problems and resolved many of them, holding onto both sad memories and cherished good experiences. Despite the ups and downs that life brings, the Mt. Ebell Baptist Church family remains committed to following God’s guidance and being a light in a lost and sinful world.
“Today, the Mt. Ebell Baptist Church Family proudly dedicates this building, a wonderful gift from God. It is set apart for sharing the gospel and has been made possible through the support and sacrifices of many generations, reflecting our unwavering commitment to faith, community, and service. May this space serve as a beacon of hope and love, inspiring all who enter to grow in their relationship with Christ and to spread His message to the world around us.”
