Durant, MS
From 1958 until 1960, Sister Dela Pritchard opened up her home on Sunday afternoons for church services. Reverend Clarence Reed and Reverend Jack Hodges did most of the preaching. In 1960, Reverend John Maddox accepted the pastorate and ministered in a garage with cardboard walls and sawdust floors. Reverend Maddox pastored the church for three years until Reverend Clarence Reed returned and served as pastor for one year.
Then, in 1964, Reverend Raymond Moore became the pastor and built the first church building on Highway 12. Reverend Moore pastored Durant UPC until 1969.
Over the next 19 years, the Lord sent several pastors to serve the church. Reverends Raymond Faulkner (1969-1972), William White (1972-1976), Felix Arnold (1976-1979), Albert Moth (1979-1981), Bobby Sanders (1981-1983), and Wendell Fortenberry (1983-1988).
In 1988, the church elected Reverend Ollie Allen pastor. Under his leadership, the church purchased a building and property in the church’s current location. Then, in 1998, Reverend Auburn Beatty assumed the pastorate and presided over the sale of the old building, and moved to the present church building of Durant UPC. Reverend Beatty served as pastor from 1998 thru 2006.
In 2006 Reverend John P. Fortenberry became the pastor of Durant UPC. Under Reverend Fortenberry’s leadership, the church has remodeled, experienced growth and revival. Reverend Fortenberry, the current pastor of Durant UPC, continues to expect a significant increase.