Saint Rest Missionary Baptist Church History

For over 150 years, the history of St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church has revealed a journey of faith, praise,  and service. Our history unfolds with saints of old who passed the torch down through the years and on whose shoulders we stand today.

St. Rest Missionary Church was organized in the 1800’s near the Tennessee and Mississippi stateline. The original name of the church was Galilee Missionary Baptist Church but when a division arose in the church, Galilee split and St. Rest M. B. Church and Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church were formed.

The church was relocated on the Corinth and Purdy Road, which linked Corinth, Mississippi to Purdy, Tennessee (the county seat of McNairy County at the time). The land for the small frame building was purchased from C.L. and Rose Sanders. In 1904, the state line was moved southward and St. Rest was no longer located in Mississippi but in the state of Tennessee. Rev. Whit Hearnton was the earliest known pastor of the church. The trustees were Bro. Bill Adams, Bro. A. A. Chambers, and Bro. Sam Johnson. Some of the deacons were Bro.Will Jennings, Bro. Elmore Chambers and Bro. Demore Chambers.

Rev. C. J. Lowe of Corinth, Mississippi became the Pastor of the church and faithfully served for many years. Rev. Lowe was followed by Rev. J. Johnson. Deacons at this time were Bro. Robert Bosman, Bro. J. Brown, Bro. C. Irons, Bro. George Warren, and Bro. Orlander Warren. Rev. Lowe returned to St. Rest and served again as pastor for a number of years after the pastoral of Rev. J. Johnson ended.

As the church grew and matured through the early 1900’s, it underwent many periods of adjustment. Rev. Brown Abbott accepted the care of the flock. Deacons were Bro. Frank Brandon, Bro. Ollie Chambers, Bro. Marshall Prather, Bro. George Warren, and Bro. Orlando Warren.

In the early 1940’s God sent a strong anchor, a blessing to the church in the form of a young, gifted, well-prepared preacher. The Rev. W. H. Ratliff moved to the Saint Rest community to become pastor of the church. Many people warned him against coming to the little dead church in Tennessee but he had a vision for the church. After Rev. Ratliff accepted leadership, old members returned home and the church was blessed with many new members. The first church Homecoming was appropriately celebrated during this period. Deacons serving under his leadership were Bro. Edward Avery Sr., Bro. George Barnes, Bro. George Dickey Bro. Covie C. Dilworth, Bro. Elzee Elliots, Bro. Joseph Irons, Bro. James Irons and Bro. Dakota Simmons.

Following this period, many ministers played significant roles in guiding the Church and shaping its future. Among those demonstrating their ability to be a strong shepherd for God’s people were Reverends Ford, Palmer and Montgomery.

In the early 1950’s, the church was moved to a new site on Highway 45 for the safety of the congregation. Bro. Claude and Sis. Everlina Mabry donated land for the present site of our church. A three room block building was constructed.

Rev. L. J. Palmer accepted the care and charge of the church for the second time. He served until his death in 1957. Deacons made under his leadership were Bro. Edd McCoy and Bro. Willie B. Wade. Bro.George Mann and Bro. Albert C. Avery served as deacons after moving their membership from Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. O. C. Foster completed the pastoral year of Rev. L. J. Palmer. Rev Lawrence served a short period as pastor after Rev. Foster.

In 1959, Rev. W. M. Warren became pastor and began the tithing program. He served for 14 years but resigned in 1973 due to his health. Deacons made under his leadership were Bro. O. D. Saulters and Bro. Herlan Warren. Bro. James Avery served as a deacon after moving his membership from Little Zion.

In 1976, Rev. J. C. Humphrey was called to pastor the church. The church had greatly grown and plans were made to renovate. A new sanctuary, indoor baptistry, a central heating system, a kitchen, fellowship hall, restrooms and classrooms were a part of this renovation. This construction was completed in the fall of 1976 and the dedication of the church was held in April 1977. On April 9, 1978, the cornerstone was laid by Crescent Masonic Lodge 70. Bro. Andrew Shelton was the Worship Master. Deacons made under Rev. Humphrey’s leadership were Bro. Dan Calendar, Bro. Eddie D. Irons, Bro. Kirby Paden, Bro. Larry Robinson, and Bro. Maxwell Wade. Rev. J. C. Humphrey resigned in 1983.

Rev. Nollen Elzie served as pastor from 1983-1984. During his brief pastorate, renewed emphasis was placed on the financial responsibilities of individual members The tithing program was revived under his leadership.

In 1985, Rev. Caleb Williams took over the leadership of the church. He was a great spiritual leader and an inspiration to his congregation. Deacons who served under his leadership were Bro. Albert C. Avery, Bro. James Avery, Bro. J. C. Manning, Bro. Kirby Paden, Bro. Larry Robinson, and Bro. Maxwell Wade. Bro. Cleveland Butler Bro. Paul Durr, Bro. Roger James and Bro. Andrew Shelton were ordained as deacons under Rev. Williams’s pastorate.

During this period, the church continued to thrive. This period was not only a time of improvements of the church edifice, but most importantly the spiritual aspects were advancing. In 1986, an acre of land was donated by Paul and Sheila Avery Durr for the growth of the church. A new building program began in May, 1995 with the addition of a new sanctuary and office spaces. This construction was adjoined to the existing structure and was completed December 1995. The Trustees were Sis. Leora Davis, Bro. Paul Durr, Bro. Joseph Patterson, Sis. Beverly Ratliff, Bro. Colee Shelton, and Bro. Maxwell Wade. Rev. Williams resigned in 1997. Rev. Williams resigned in 1997.

Rev. O. J. Salters became pastor of the church in 1997. Under his leadership, the church was able to liquidate its indebtedness to the building program from 1995. He resigned in 2013.

In May 2014, Rev. Avence Pittman, Jr. became pastor of the St. Rest M.B. Church. Deacons serving under his leadership are Bro. Paul Durr, Bro. Roger James, Bro. Larry Robinson, and Bro. Maxwell Wade.

As we move through the twenty-first century, under the leadership of Pastor Pittman with Christ forever at the helm, more rich chapters will be added to the history of St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Guys, Tennessee.

On January 22, 2023, Minister Brian J. Ezell, Sr., was installed as pastor of St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church. 

Pastor Ezell and First Lady Leanna have one child, Brian J. Ezell, Jr., affectionately known by most as Deuce.



Pastor Ezell is eternally grateful for this adoption into the sheepfold of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is a licensed and ordained clergy. Additionally, he completed degree programs at Brewster Theological Clinic and the School of Religion in Memphis, TN, and the University of MS; also, he received an undergraduate degree from Lane College in Jackson, TN.

Pastor Ezell is a strong advocate for postsecondary education with experience in various capacities in higher education. He believes that each person deserves a quality education. Above all, he contends that the most significant decision is serving Christ Jesus.

Although his journey with St. Rest has just begun, he looks forward to magnifying our Lord in his every effort, caring for the sick both in body and mind, and letting the community feel his presence wherever he can render service.

We pride ourselves because of his high calling and the ideal standard he has set for us. The affable way in which he meets and deals with people makes us glad to call him our pastor.