Rev L.B. Jenkins… at 91, still active at First Baptist Church, where he was pastor, 1913-1923

Forney Messenger
About 1973

On October 16, 1882, near Avalon, Ellis County, Texas a servant was born.

L.B. Jenkins wasn’t destined to serve the mighty men of this world, but the Savior of those mighty men; for at the age of ten he identified himself with Jesus Christ and was baptized in the little Baptist Church at Avalon. Licensed to preach in 1903 and ordained a minister three years later, the young preacher set out on his mission – one that would bring him a rich, full life in the Christian ministry.

This week, the Rev. Jenkins, now retired from the ministry, celebrated his 91st birthday at his home on Bois d’Arc Street in Forney, where he has lived since 1950. He is remembered by many of the old-timers of Forney from the days when he was pastor of the First Baptist Church here, between 1913 and 1923.

The Rev. Jenkins pastured a number of rural churches near his home town after his ordination in February, 1906. He came to Forney on New Year’s Day, 1913. During his Forney pastorate, his congregation grew, and under his direction a new church was built which was used until several years ago.  (Rev. Jenkins told this reporter, in referring to the new First Baptist Church building completed last March, that this time he helped a little, financially, but was, of course, not as directly involved.)

The Rev. Jenkins’ pastorage in Forney was among the longest of his church ministries: he served in Mesquite for ten years, in Midlothian for give years and in Daingerfield for six years. Following his retirement from the ministry in 1950, when he permanently settled in Forney, he was active in supply work until about 1960. During this period he preached in 16 out of 17 churches in the Kaufman County Baptist Association from periods ranging from one church service to three months at a time.

The Rev. Jenkins married the late Mrs. L.B. Jenkins, the former Miss Myrtle Acre of Grandview, Texas, October, 1905. They met when he was attending school in Grandview. She died in 1967.

Note: Luther Beal Jenkins is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery with his wife and daughter.