Freeda Harris

Baptist Center
 

The Freeda Harris Baptist Center is located on the banks of Marrowbone Creek in scenic Pike County, Kentucky.  It is on the upper end of Lookout in an area known as Henry Clay Camp.

The center, originally known as Marrowbone Baptist Center was begun by Freeda Harris.  As a new Christian, Freeda invited the children in the area to come to her home, sit on the floor, and hear Bible stories.

Through the children, Freeda learn about the needs in the families.  She would then minister to those families by taking food, clothing, and financial assistance to them.

At first she simply took the money she needed to pay her own bills to help those in need.  Later, as Southern Baptists and other Christians learned about what Freeda was doing, they would offer to help.

In the mid-1960's the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now called the North American Mission Board) appointed Freeda as a home missionary.  A building was found on Henry Clay Hill out of which she would operated and the Marrowbone Baptist Center began. A three story building, Freeda lived upstairs and the bottom two floors served as the Baptist Center.

The building was old are hard to maintain.  In the early 1970's the property where the center now stands was purchased from the Marrowbone Baptist Church.  In October 1973, the new building was dedicated.  The center continues to be located at this location.

Freeda had to retire for health reason toward the end of the 1970's.  Upon Freeda's retirement, Beverly Smothers became the director.  When she left, Pam McCoy came to serve.  When Miss McCoy, the center was closed for eighteen months.

In June 1983, Greg and Alice Whitetree reopened the Marrowbone Baptist Center.  After Freeda when home to be with the Lord at Christmas 1989, the center was renamed the Freeda Harris Baptist Center in her honor.

Purpose

The center has a three-fold purpose:

• To reach people for Christ by proclaiming the message of salvation.  This is accomplished by witnessing through word and deed.

• To minister to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.   This is accomplished through clubs, benevolence ministries, and other appropriate ministries such as Vacation Bible Schools and Day Camps.

• To teach missions through a hands-on experience.  Individuals and groups , whether they are from churches, associations, or Collegiate ministries are encouraged to participate in the ministry for as long as a week or just for one hour.

Programs of Ministry

1. Benevolence

• Food Pantry

• Clothes Closet

• Counseling

• G.E.D. Classes

• Literacy Classes

2. Winter Programs

• Big A Clubs

• Teen Club

• Craft Clubs

• Aerobics Classes

• Home Makers Club

• Ceramics Classes

3. Summer Programs

• Vacation Bible School

• Backyard Bible Clubs

• Day Camps

• Playground Ministry

• Mission Vacation Bible Schools

4. Special Programs

• Community Easter Egg Hunt

• Community Thanksgiving Dinner

• Toy Give-Away

• Health Fair

• V.B.S.O.T.S. (Vacation Bible School Other Than Summer)

Contact Information

Gregory and Alice Whitetree

Co-Directors

Click here for directions to the Freeda Harris Center.

Contact Information

Click here to read the story of Freeda Harris compliments of the Woman's Missionary Union.  The file is in Adobe format and 3.5 MB.  Please allow time for it to download.

Click here for the current volunteer mission needs at Freeda Harris. 

Click on the picture to see the house where the center started.

Click on the picture see Freeda Harris playing with the children at Marrowbone Baptist Church.

Click here to see a picture of the Freeda Harris Center.

Children enjoying VBS in June 2005.

Click on the picture to view Teresa Parrett, MSC Volunteer and EKY Volunteer Coordinator for the KBC talking with the Whitetrees.

Click on the picture to see Greg talking with the volunteers who help at the Center.

Children playing on the playground at the Center.

Click on the picture to see the Marrowbone Baptist Center.

Directions: You can get there from here.

From Pikeville, KY - take US-460 east to Regina.  Just past the BP-Double Quick Mart, turn right on Highway 195, the Marrowbone Creek Road.  Stay on Hwy 195 about 7 miles.  The Freeda Harris Baptist Center will be on the left side of the road.

From Jenkins, KY - take US 23 north.  After passing the Pike County line, continue a little over 7.5 miles to Highway 611.  Turn right on Hwy 611.  Continue on Highway 611 until coming to a "T" in the road.  At the "T" turn right on Hwy 195, the Marrowbone Creek road.  Continue on Hwy 195 for about 1/2 mile.  The Freeda Harris Baptist Center will be on the left side of the road.

Click on the pictures to view the Lookout Elementary School, just up the road from the Freeda Harris Center.  The property is for sale and the Whitetree's have asked for prayer that God will provide the needed funds for the purchase.