Over the past 60 years, LaBelle Haven Baptist Church has had a rich history of being an influential part of the Midsouth area culture. This timeline recalls the story and brief history of LaBelle from its humble beginnings with 43 in attendance to its move to Olive Branch, Mississippi now with more than 1,000 members. God continues to use LaBelle to reach the Midsouth for His glory.
January 23, 1955
LaBelle Baptist Chapel had its first service in a home at 271 Sullivan Dr. in Whitehaven. There were 43 in attendance.
August 26, 1956
LaBelle had the dedication service of its first building at the corner of Rains & Neely 327 in attendance
August 2, 1959
LaBelle Chapel constituted into LaBelle Haven Baptist Church.
February 7, 1968
Construction begins on LaBelle's 1200 seat auditorium and expanded educational space
September 1985
LaBelle votes to relocate to 6825 East Holmes Rd. Church meets in two double-wide trailers.
July 10. 1994
LaBelle beaks ground for its 500 seat worship center, Offices and preschool complex. The cost is $900,000.
December 2000
the first year that total budget receipts reached the $500,000 amount.
October 2010
LaBelle experiences decline for past 10 years. Attendance low in Sunday School of 50 and worship of 61. Church membership falls to 356. From the ashes of despair God was about to work a miracle of restoration.
October 2011
In 12 short months God brought 3 new staff members to serve our church: Dr.Jim Butler, Pastor; Rev.Phil Anderson, Minister of Education and Administration; Rev. Ken Washburn, Minister of Music and Senior Adults. LaBelle had 178 additions to its membership that year, the largest single year total since 1971.
April 3, 2012
LaBelle purchases 53 acres of land at Highway 305 and Church Road in Olive Branch. The purchase price was $988,000. Church sells 11 acres of the property for $372,855 making the actual cost of the 42 acres $612,145. 794 In attendance
May 29, 2013
LaBelle sells its Holmes Road campus to New Life in Christ for the asking amount of $1,800,000. LaBelle remained in the building for one year while our new church was being built.
July 6, 2014
Our Grand Opening Sunday at the new church home in Olive Branch. The cost of the land, 1,200 seat worship center and the 40,000 square foot church facility was $6,600,000.
December 14, 2015
The Music Ministry presents our first Christmas musical in out new location. There were 80 in the choir. Worship attendance sets a record. 803 in attencadance.
April 5, 2015
LaBelle records its largest worship attendance on Easter. Also receives our largest ever weekly budget offering of $31,636. 984 in attendance
April 22, 2015
LaBelle votes to enlarge its parking by 90 spaces, and to erect a full color digital sign in front of our building. Church pay cash for these projects which total $220,000.
August 26, 2015
LaBelle votes to build Phase #2. This 7,200 sq. ft. addition will rovide adult classrooms, youth area, and multipurpose meeting space and additional restrooms.
October 21, 2015
LaBelle votes to join the Mississippi Baptist Convention since we now reside in Olive Branch.
December, 2015
Membership exceeds the 1,000. 700 additions in the past 5 years. Budget receipts exceeded $1,000,000, which $250,000 were the 2015 budget needs.