Our Story
Founded 1883
The church is defined by the “Body of Christ”, and members of the body of Christ are placed there by the baptism of the Spirt. Paul stats, “For just as the body is one and yet has many members, all the members of the body thought many are one body, so too is Christ. For in one spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves or free, we were all made to drink of one spirit.” - 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
The making of Silver Springs M.B. Church began in 1883 with a small but faithful group of dedicated believers. The church was first started in the home of the Brother Henry Swader. In this small Christian home the word of God provided the light to guide their path and instill the love of fellowship. When several months had passed the Swader home was no longer large enough to accommodate the increase and growth of the membership. It was then that the members decided to build a Brush Arbor (a house made of sticks, clay, mud, and grass without any flooring). They worshiped there for several years until a storm blew the arbor away.
The name Silver Springs was originated after they purchased an acre of land on November 17, 1887 silver had previously been discovered on the land by Native Americans. This land had two (2) springs that provided drinking water for the members. This is how the church got the name of “Silver Springs.” It was recored in the record book, The land was situated in the Civil District #6 of Rutherford County, lying on the Old Jefferson Road adjoining the Old Mill tract owned in 1887 by Kelly Rooker. This land was purchased from Nettie and T.J. Moore, Harry and Sue Anderson, Jennie, N.F.W.D. and Lizzie Wade. Sliver Springs build it’s second church on this land. It was a small one room un-painted structure with a tin roof and with no plumbing or electricity and heated by a cool heater during the colder months.
Baptism took place in the nearby Stones River
The Trustees at the time were: Brother Henry Swader, Brother Moses Davis and Brother Ed Ransom.
In the early forties Silver Spring elected their very first Pastor. By the name of Tanzy Clayton. Under his leadership a Deacon’s Board was organized and Deacon Shader’s wife Sister Susanna Swader, was elected as the first Mother. Follwing are the name of some of the first Deacons: Toby Buttson, Jim Mitchel, John Miles, John H. Watson, Willie Roberson, Leon Hiram, and Commodore Smith. Some of the first Mothers were Alice Brown, Alberta Hicks, Ella Johnson, Frances Finney, Lucille Wilson, Rachel , Lisa, and Grace Smith. Paster Clayton remained in leadership until an unfortunate buggy accident claimed his life. Under the Pastorship of J.J. Smith, the first choir was organized and Sister Selma Smith was elected as the President. Mother Ellen Woods served as President of the number one choir for over thirty (30) years. She was the wife of Deacon Jimmie Woods and the mother of one our Mothers, Mother Pauline Phips as well as the mother of Sister Jamie Mae Smith. Deacon Woods served as Chairman of the Deacon Board for over forty (40) years. He was later called to serve in God’s Ministry.
On August 30, 1947 , Silver Springs’ leaders sold transferred and conveyed a tract of land on which the church was located under the Rutherford County School Commission. The Trustees was John Watson, Hiram Smith and Jimmie Woods. The tract of land was 380 feet long and 90 feet wide. On Sunday, April 2, 1966 a resolution was adopted by the church to sell the land to the United States Government for the J. Percy Dam and Reservoir Project. On June 23 1966 , Silver Springs purchased two acres to land from Lurlee Bragg, to build the present church budding and along with this building a graveyard site was constructed. The Trustees for this project were John H. Watson, Jimmie Woods, J.W. Johnson, and John H. Smith. This is the site where our church is presently located, (311 Mill Lane Smyrna, TN). The dedication services and lying of the cornerstone took place on Sunday, June 10, 1967, under leadership of Pastor E. W. Roberson.
Silver Springs elected the twelfth (12) Pastor Moses Pope in 1971. He was the Pastor from 1971 until 1990 (19 years). Under his leadership many improvements and renovations were made to the church to accommodated the growth of the membership.
Most of Silver Springs’ families were buried in the Wade Cemetery on property now owned by Nissan. A parcel of land adjoining the Silver Springs’ graveyard was purchased and donated to the church by Nissan to use for additional grave space and everyone, who was buried, in the Wade Cemetery was moved to Silver Spring's’ graveyard.
On Sunday, July 14, 1991 Ronald R. Jones was elected as the thirteenth (13) pastor of Silver Springs Missionary Baptist Church. He was installed on Sunday, August 25, 1991. Under his leadership many additions and renovations have been made to the church as well as paving of the parking lot.
A glorious day in history was celebrated when the mortgage was paid in full and on Sunday, July 25, 1993 the church celebrated it by burning the mortgage. It was the first mortgage burning in the history of the church.
On June 13, 2000, we purchased 9.38 acres of land from Thomas A. Smith; this land is located on Mill Lane, Smyrna, TN. The Deacons, who signed for the purchased of the land were: Ray Ligon (Chairman), Garne Pope, (Assistant Chairman), Roy Franklin, Kevin Rice and Billy Wilcox, Jr. it was recorded at the Rutherford county “Register of Deeds” Office on June 14, 2000. The land is surrounding the present church building.