Our History

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1   

 County Line Baptist Church celebrates its long history of bringing lost souls to Christ. The journey has not been easy, the years of hard work and dedication from God's people have created our church dedicated to ministering the Good News of Jesus Christ to a lost world.  

Our Humble Beginnings  

1867
Reverend Norman Smith and a few early members in a brush arbor organized County Line Baptist Church in 1867. Being moved by the Spirit of God, the members moved into the old County Line church, which was then owned by the white race. On November 8, 1884, one acre of land and this building was bought and deeded to David Watson, Adam Bunch, Joseph Green, Horace Slaughter, and Clarence Cox.  

Reverend Norman Smith served as pastor for seven years. Many members were added to the church under his leadership. Reverend James D. Barrett succeeded him. In 1881, Reverend Burton Langhorne became Pastor and served for forty-five years until his death in August 1927. The new County Line Church was built during his pastorate, and we moved into this building in August 1923. On November 26, 1921, two more acres of land was bought from Miss Eva Martin and deeded to Trustees Andrew Jackson, Eli Jackson and David Watson. On January 5, 1941, William and Alice Walton gave two more acres of land to County Line church.

After Reverend Langhorne's death in 1927, Reverend W.O. Mayo became pastor in 1928. He served until 1935. In 1936, Reverend H.B. Perry became pastor. During his pastorate the Usher Board, the Cemetery Committee, and the Junior Choir was organized. New pews were purchased, the deacon and choir rooms were built, and the Senior Choir was re-organized. The Junior Choir, under the sponsorship of Sisters Loretta Salter and Pearlie Askew, donated the mural of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mrs. Anna Robertson organized the Pulpit Aide Club. Reverend Perry served as our pastor until 1953.

 In 1954 Rev. P.H. West became the pastor. The spiritual growth of the church continued under his leadership for five years.

In 1960, Rev. H.R. Clarke became the pastor. During his pastorate, we built a new vestibule, purchased an organ, new pulpit and communion furniture, installed hardwood floors, carpeting, water cooler, public address system and inside toilets. An extensive building program was carried out in 1968. This included a pastor's study, a conference room, choir room, and a basement with a kitchen and inside toilets. We began having services on two Sundays: first and third. In 1974, we installed heating and air conditioning units. The H.R. Clarke Chorus, later changed to the Evangelistic Chorus was organized. A nurse's unit headed by Mrs. Katherine Loftin was organized.

In 1976, Rev. Walter H. Jones, Sr., became the pastor. We began to have church on each Sunday of the month, with the exception of fifth Sundays. Under Reverend Jones' leadership, accomplishments and growth include the building of a fellowship hall with a basement, larger restrooms, the bricking of the church exterior, a new baptismal pool was added and an illustration over the pool was painted by Brother Aaron Betz. Benches and a cemetery directory were placed at the entrance of the cemetery. Pastor Emeritus Walter H. Jones Sr. served County Line for thirty-eight years, retiring at the end of 2014.  

In 2017, Rev. Wesley C. Tolliver was elected as the new Pastor. Rev. Tolliver was installed as Pastor of County Line Baptist Church on April 28, 2018. As County Line continues to be relevant in the 21st century, God has allowed the church to grow physically and spiritually even through the COVID-19 pandemic. With this increase, Pastor Tolliver and the Church body saw the need of an Assistant Pastor.  Rev. Dr. Adreania Tolliver was recommend and voted to be the first person in the role of Assistant Pastor. Rev. Dr. Adreania Tolliver was the first Assistant Pastor in County Line history. On Sunday, April 30, 2023, Pastor Tolliver retired from his role as Pastor of County Line Baptist Church. Pastor Emeritus Wesley C. Tolliver served County Line for six years, retiring April 2023. 

We are so blessed to have in our midst Pastor Emeritus Walter H. Jones Sr. and Pastor Emeritus Wesley C. Tolliver. We are so thankful to God for their leadership of our great Church.

August 2024, Rev. Dr. Mario J. Hatchett Th.d was elected as the esteemed Pastor-Elect of the County Line Baptist Church, marking a significant chapter in his dedicated service to the church and the community.  

County Line has prepared and licensed many ministers in the Word. They include Evangelist Lois Finch, Bishop Charles Haden, Rev. Walter Cavanaugh, Rev. Joseph Winston, Rev. Joseph Haden, Rev. Pearly Johnson, Rev. William Jackson, Rev. Brenda Thomas, Rev. Alice Gillison, Rev. Collin Jackson, Rev. E.L. Jackson, Rev. Will Jones and Min. Justin Brown. 

Our deceased Deacons are: 

Adam Bunch, John Henry Duval, Isaac Evans, Willie Evans, Doc Farrar, Ballard Fleming, Joseph Green, Matt Herndon, Andrew Jackson, Charlie Smith, Jules Smith, Sr., Willie Miller, Walter Lewis, Joel Price, Earnest Slaughter, Johnnie Smith, Richard Smith, Vandyke Taliaferro, Minor Waddy, David Watson, Johnnie Winston, Nathaniel Duke, James Allen Price, Burns Bradshaw, David Harris, Hugh Jackson, William Hayden, Francis Price, Morton Price, Floyd Mitchell, William Randolph, Morton Price, Jimmy Johnson, Leroy Timberlake, Haywood Pace Sr. We Thank God for their service. 

Our deceased Trustees are:

 Charlie Baugh, Frank Baugh, Clarence Cox, Nat Duke, Sr. John Harris, A.J. Jackson, Edmond Overton, Robert Overton, Horace Slaughter, David Watson, Pat Timberlake, Clyde Barrett, Walter Mitchell, Edwin Jackson, and Harvey Randolph, and David Loftin. We Thank God for their service. 

Former clerks and assistant clerks of the church include Frank Baugh, Louise Harris, Maude Fleming, Marian Perkins and Nora Smith.  We Thank God for their service. 

The church, missionary, and Sunday School continue to support both physically and financially the Habitat for Humanity, Christmas Mother programs, American Heart Fund, American Cancer Society, Samaritan Purse, Beaumont Prison Ministry, Goochland Association of Churches, local Fire and Rescue Squads, and earthquake, tornado, hurricane, and tsunami victims and Bright Beginnings. The church has been used in the past as a voting precinct for district one. The church is a member of the James River District Baptist Association and Beulah Baptist Sunday School Convention.  
To God be the Glory for the great things He has done.