Our History

Sandy Mount Baptist Church was founded by the late Rev. James T. Tynes in the late 1890's. Rev. James Tynes brought together a handful of people in a bush arbor in Isle of Wight County near Smithfield and planted the first seeds of Sandy Mount Baptist Church. Before his death in 1904, Rev. Tynes and his family helped to erect the congregation's first place of worship; a one room structure for Sunday Bible classes and worship. 

On January 20, 1906, this parcel of land was purchased from Sis. Polly Tynes, widow of Rev. Tynes, for the sum of $6000. 

In 1914 an organ was purchased March of 1972, ground was broken for our present church, with Deacon George Watkins as church architect and builder. In September 1976 we marched into our new edifice. The cross and public address system was presented by Deacon Herman Edwards. 

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1977, the Christian flag and American flag were presented to church. The flags were donated by Sis. Lois Tynes and Deacon Herman Edwards. We had our first baptismal service in the new church. 

1979 the organ was installed. 

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1981 the air conditioning was installed. 

1982 the bulletin and steeple bell from the old church was erected. The new church was dedicated. The dining room and kitchen were completed. New pews and choir chairs were purchased and the cornerstone was laid. 

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July 1985, the new piano was installed. In September 1986, the heating and cooling system was installed in the dining room, multipurpose room and bathroom. 

1988, the steeple was installed. 

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1991, the first drum set was purchased. 

January 1992 we began holding four Sunday Services. In February, the last landmark of Sandy Mount, the big Oak tree was cut down for road improvements. In May of the same year the church unanimously voted Rev. Robert L. Sinclair as the 10th pastor of Sandy Mount Baptist Church. Rev. Robert and Sis. Bernice Sinclair were installed as Pastor and First Lady on the third Sunday in July. 14 

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In 1993 the Multipurpose Room was dedicated to our Architect and builder, Deacon George Watkins. On the third Sunday in May 1994; Rev. Andrew Johnson preached his initial sermon and was named as an Associated Minister here at Sandy Mount. The "Church Mother", Mrs. Maryetta Wilson passed. Shortly after, the honor of "Church Mother" was given to Deaconess Lois Tynes. 

On October 25, 2001, God called Pastor Sinclair home. Once again Sandy Mount was without a pastor. On the fourth Sunday in January 2002, Rev. & Mrs. John Dexter Davis, III became the 11th first family of Sandy Mount Baptist Church. 

In 2005, Deacon Predist Walker, Sr., was licensed to preach the Gospel. 

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In May 2006, our beloved Church Mother, Deaconess Lois Tynes was called home to be with the Lord. 

Through meticulous planning, budgeting and out of the box thinking, Sandy Mount has successfully completed the renovation of both the men's and women's bathrooms. Sister Lucille Pretlow become Church Mother. There were two associate ministers, Rev. Julius Evans and Rev. Predist Walker, Sr. Rev. Thomasene Wrenn, answered her call to ministry and preached her trial sermon on the second Sunday in March, 2009. The two associate ministers for the church were Rev. Predist Walker, Sr. and Rev. Thomasene Wrenn. In October 2009, Rev. John Davis resigned, leaving Sandy Mount without a pastor once again. After the Lord called, "Church Mother", Lucille Pretlow; home, Sister Virginia Allmond was selected "Church Mother". 

October 2011, Rev. Dr. Bobby L. Taylor was selected pastor of Sandy Mount Baptist Church. In April 2012, Rev. Dr. Bobby L. and Sister Gail J. Taylor became the 12th Pastor and First Lady of Sandy Mount Baptist Church. 

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Under the administration of Rev. Bobby L. Taylor, a new van was purchased in March of 2012. Two members were selected as Deaconess: Sister Valerie Artis and Sister Mary Beckett. Two members were ordained as Deacons: Sister Evelyn Brinkley and Deaconess Katherine Chapman. Sister Frances Perry joined the distinguished list of Church Mothers. 

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Sis. Joan Gray and Sis. Sally Wilson were selected to become members of the Deaconess Ministry and were consecrated on September 14, 2014. On August 9, 2015, Ministers Thomasene Wrenn and Predist Walker, Sr. were ordained to preach the gospel at Sandy Mount Baptist Church. 

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A Children's Church, for children ages twelve and below, has been implemented. A Security Ministry was developed and implemented. Banners were purchased for the sanctuary. Sister Diane Batten was selected as a candidate for Deaconess Ministry, and was consecrated on August 14, 2016. A Food Pantry Outreach Program has been developed and implemented. 

Pastor Taylor, through close observation, has identified and selected several members of church to become candidates for the position of Deacon. Brother Ronzell Roberts, Brother Allen Wellons and Brother Clarence Wilson were selected ascandidates for the Deacon Ministry and were ordained on August 12, 2018.