One hundred and thirty years ago, there was only one black church in Clinton, MS - Pleasant Green Baptist Church. It was organized in 1870 and was located on the site of what is now known as Provine Chapel. A few years later, Pleasant Green was moved to its present site on College Street. This location became very inconvenient for elderly members to get to worship service because of the lack of transportation. To resolve this problem, the fathers of Pleasant Green decided to look for property on this side of the track (west side of Neal Street, north side of the railroad track) to build a new church.

On January 1, 1897, the church trustees, Aaron Hawkins, William Henderson, and Toney Jones, met with Ms. Sarah A. Dickey concerning the need for property to build a new church. Ms. Dickey, the founder of Mt. Herman Seminary, sold two acres of land and deeded it to the Holy Ghost Missionary Baptist Church on July 12, 1897. The deeds were filed and recorded in the Chancellor Clerks Office in Jackson, MS on July 12, 1897.

The foundation was laid; the church was built and dedicated to God under the name of Holy Ghost Missionary Baptist Church in October, 1897. Some of the leaders were: Aaron Putnam, Allen Putnam, Isom Peterson, Toney Jones, Diamond Smith, Charlie Peterson, and Reverend Pearly Perkins. The first pastor was Reverend Semore Miller. Other pastors were: Reverend Percy Cornelius of Bolton, Reverend A. A. Banks of Jackson, Reverend Robert West of Bolton, and Reverend R. L. Pickens of Brandon. Reverend James Washington, Sr., of Jackson, MS was elected pastor in August, 1963, and served for approximately seven years. Reverend Alexander Kirkwood was elected pastor in 1970 and served until February, 1994.

On June 5, 1994, the Lord blessed us with Reverend Jimmie D. Burse, Sr., of Jackson, MS, who is presently serving as pastor. The church has undergone several physical changes since its original beginning in 1897. However, the original mission of providing spiritual directions and guidance to the community has remained. Construction on a new foundation was laid by contractor, Richard Moore of the Metro Development Corporation. The 12,250 sq. ft. structure was completed in April 1998. It includes a fellowship hall, kitchen, 10 classrooms, a 400 seating capacity sanctuary, nursery, restrooms in rear and front, pastor's study, finance office, secretary office and conference room.

We give all thanks, glory and praise to Jesus Christ for what He has done for the Holy Ghost Missionary Baptist Church. We continue to pray for God's will and direction for this church as we strive to be, "the church that is zeroing in on Jesus Christ, trusting Him only to maximize our strengths and to minimize our weaknesses."