Evergreen Baptist Church was organized in 1809, in what was then Pulaski County, which had been constituted just a year earlier in 1808. The church was originally known as Mt. Horeb and was located on the Old River Road. By the 1840s, tensions were rising within the Baptist denomination, as fundamentalists and progressives clashed over evolving interpretations of doctrine and practice. On February 17, 1844, a group of Mt. Horeb members arrived for worship only to find that the church had been “nailed and locked out” by Brother Burkhalter. According to church records, a group of the congregants agreed to abandon the building and “build as soon as possible” elsewhere.

This event reflects a broader historical shift taking place within Baptist circles at the time. Many members were embracing progressive ideas such as missions, Sunday Schools, and theological education—concepts viewed by some as threats to traditional doctrine. In response, those who opposed these changes identified themselves as Primitive Baptists, claiming to represent the original, unaltered beliefs of the early church. The Primitives then withdrew fellowship from any members who supported these “newfangled institutions.”

In the wake of the split, the progressive members of Mt. Horeb decided to form a new church, appointing a building committee to select a suitable site. They named their new congregation Evergreen Baptist Church. For a time, they met at the Methodist Campground on Longstreet Road, until their new sanctuary—the one pictured above—was completed in 1846.

The church’s early history also reflects the realities of its time. Built during the era of slavery, the structure included a gallery specifically constructed for the African American members, who, according to the church history, actually outnumbered the white congregants. In 1870, following emancipation, the Black members chose to form their own congregation and were formally dismissed to their own fellowship.

We are deeply grateful to the members and stewards of Evergreen who have preserved both the church building and its history for more than two centuries. While updates have been made over the years, the core structure of the sanctuary has remained intact for over 170 years—a testament to the faith, resilience, and craftsmanship of those who built and maintained it.

Be sure to click and scroll through the gallery photos below for more on the rich and enduring story of Evergreen Baptist Church.