On Dec. 1, members of Trinity Missionary Baptist Temple in Hinesville celebrated the church’s 23rd anniversary. This celebration was made more special due to the church finally getting its steeple.
Although the church was erected in 1995, it was not until this Dec. 2 that the long-awaited steeple finally arrived.
“People would pass by and not know what the building was. I am so happy that God has blessed us with a beautiful steeple,” church pastor Dr. Lucile W. Smiley said.
Trinity Missionary Baptist Temple was founded in November 1990 under the leadership of Bishop Jimmie L. Smiley. In April 2010, Dr. Lucile Smiley, Bishop Smiley’s wife, was installed as pastor.
“We were blessed to have our many friends and family members join us for our church anniversary and steeple dedication,” Lucile Smiley said. “The steeple was originally scheduled to arrive on Nov. 23; however, it did not arrive until Dec. 2. We are so grateful to have it erected. What a beautiful sight.”   
The Rev. Leonard Jackson, pastor of Judah World Harvest Church in Brunswick, served as the speaker for the 10:45 a.m. anniversary service. The Rev. Dr. Hermon Scott, pastor of Baconton Missionary Baptist Church in Walthourville and moderator of the Zion Missionary Baptist Association, of which Trinity is a member, was the speaker for the 4 p.m. service, which included the steeple dedication service.
The theme for the dedication was taken from 2 Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”
During the steeple dedication service, the congregation recited the litany of dedication of the church steeple, which was led by Dr. Eddie L. Campbell, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Temple in Walthourville.
“We must not fail to consider the spiritual function of the steeple pointing in a vertical line, as we must align ourselves with Jesus Christ,” Campbell said.
As you look at the many churches in Liberty County, you glimpse steeples of many sizes and shapes. Some are simple; while others are elaborate.
“Steeples traditionally were topped with a cross, a weathervane, or a decorative finial. This usually served the aesthetic aspect, the spiritual aspect, and as a weather directional. …
“After looking at the architectural aspects of the church steeple, we cannot fail to consider the spiritual function. We were admonished by Christ, who said in John 12:32, ‘And I, if I be lifted up from the Earth, will draw all men unto me.’ While signifying what death he would die, this Scripture also challenges us to lift the cross of Christ up to the world. When we see a steeple and cross atop a church, pointing gracefully toward heaven, the church is also lifting Christ up so that all men might be drawn to him and his promise” (from “The History of Church Steeples” by David England on ReligiousProductsNews.com).