The first deed for the Morgantown Colored Baptist Church was recorded in 1875, in the Fauquier County Record Room.  At that time Joseph Lawson sold one acre of land to George Brent, James Lee, Henry Welch, and William Williams, the first Trustees of the church.  The first church building was erected in the middle of the property where our cemetery is now located.  The original church building not only served as a place of worship, but also the community school until 1925, when the Morgantown School was constructed.  Although there is no record of a church building, according to historical documents, we find that there was religious and parliamentary training in this community, which took place before 1875, due to the fact that there were active trustees recorded in the deed book. 

In 1877, at the request of the Morgantown Baptist Church, Bro. Thomas Edmonds, a colored member of the Long Branch Baptist Church, near The Plains, was called to do the work of ministry.

Bro. Wormley H. Hughes, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, was the second pastor.  He also pastured the Mt Zion Baptist Church, St. Louis, Middleburg, Virginia.  Bro. Hughes married Georgetta Burbridge, a teacher formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Due to illness, Bro Hughes stepped down as pastor and remained under watch care until his death in 1901.

On February 8, 1898, Bro. Asbury R. Pinkett was officially called as pastor with the majority vote over Charles Butler who was also a member of the church and community.  Bro. Pinkett was married to Lucy Whittingham who was also from the Morgantown community.  Bro. Pinkett pastured five other churches: Providence Orlean, Zion Mountsville, Amissville, Griggsville, and Watson.  He resigned as pastor of Morgantown Baptist Church in 1901, due to failing health.

Bro. Moses Strother was called as the next pastor.  Under his leadership, the Morgantown Baptist Church purchased one-half acre of land from Peter and Lucy Grisby for the purpose of erecting a larger house of worship. This land situated on the main road near the old school house was purchased for the sum of $25.00.  A new structure was erected in the early 1900’s.  The old church building, was moved from the cemetery to a location adjacent to the current church.  Members of the church and community made the relocation possible with the use of their horses and wagons.  The building remained until 2003, when it was badly damaged in a storm and had to be removed.

Bro. Arthur Stuart served as our next pastor for nearly forty years.  The church under went great structural changes under his leadership and action was taken to have  electricity to the church.  During this time the teachers of Morgantown School were very active in the community and church.  It was a joint effort in training children in the Christian Beliefs.  Some of the earlier teachers included Lula Welch, Georgetta Hughes, Robert Emmett Miles, Peter Grisby, Esther Marshall and Lottie Harmon just to name a few.  Bro. Stuart was very active in the community. In 1963, Mt. Nebo held a retirement ceremony for Pastor Stuart.

After the retirement of Bro. Stuart, Bro. R. Stonewall Jackson, a former member of the community was called to pastor.  During his leadership the church prospered both physically and spiritually.  The re-organization and starting of new ministries took place.  Many feel his greatest accomplishment was in fostering youth involvement in the ministry of the church.  First Sunday services were added and the youth were trained to officiate.  The church building underwent major improvements.  Bro. Jackson remained faithful until his death in 1977.

Once again Mt. Nebo was in need of a pastor.  In October, 1977, Bro. Chester Pearson was called as pastor. Under his leadership, services increased to four Sundays.  Prayer meeting and a Bible Study class was organized, a classroom and choir room was added and named in memory of Dea. Robert Lou Anderson.  A new kitchen was also added.  Bro. Francis Belle was ordained to the ministry and became the first mentioned son of Mt. Nebo.  God continued to bless us spiritually and physically.

The resignation of Pastor Pearson was accepted in December of 1995, and Bro. Francis Belle, our associate minister was called to pastor in 1996.  We continued to work faithfully and trust in God as we prospered under his leadership.  Bro. Belle’s resignation was accepted in April of 2000.

Currently we serve under the leadership of Pastor Rodney L. Smith, Sr., a son of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Rectortown.  Pastor Smith came to Mt. Nebo in October, 2000, and was installed on January 12, 2001.  Our spiritual growth continues under his leadership.  Pastor Smith has baptized fifty-three new converts and many previous members have returned to the fellowship.  Our attendance for Bible Study class and Prayer Meeting has increased. Sunday School attendance is up and a Mass Choir has been organized.  In addition, we have made several purchases including; a van, a new sound system as well as new furniture for the choir loft and dining area.  We continue to work towards a great vision that God has given to our pastor - to build a new place of worship.  With the strong will and great commitment that Pastor Smith has for God, we believe that under his leadership we will accomplish great things.

In the words of an old familiar hymn,

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“We’ve come this far by faith,

leaning on the Lord;

Trusting in His Holy Word,

He’s never failed us yet."