The idea for the church was conceived in 1912 when Sister Mandy Mahone and her son John (Grice) Duckett opened Sunday School in a School house. Paul Methodist Church, to help them conduct the sessions. Sunday School was held in
the afternoons from three to five P.M. and night services were held from nine to twelve midnight. They obtained the services of various preachers for their Sunday night ser
vices. They held prayer services each Wednesday night, sometime only
the three of them were present. After a while, Aunt Dinah, the mother of Sister Malone joined in service with them. Others began attending. On July 28, 1913, Rev. Hughley officially organized the Mount Orange Baptist Church. Other laborers joined were Brother and Sister
Gus Butler, and Bro Matt Starling. Between the years of 1913-1946, these great men of God served as pastors. Hughley, Rev. Minor under whom the first structure was entered on October 1,1923. The church was rebuilt and entered October 27,1929 with Rev. Sexton as pastor. J.A. Johnson, who very successfully pastored Mount Orange twice, was ordained from Polly Chapel Baptist Church especially for
the pastorate of our church. W.M. Woods left a marvelous legacy. In 1947, Dr S.A. Stuckey was called to pastor Mount Orange. It is not often that a minister serves during the construction of two houses of worship. Between the
years of 1947-1972, Rev, Stuckey led the church in the construction of two houses of worship. He rebuilt Mt. Orange in 1952 and again in 1972 due to a fire that destroyed the church. The church grew numerically under Rev. Stuckey’s leadership. Under his leadership, Mt. Orange was and still is voluntarily associated with National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. the Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention of Texas, and the Zion District Association of Baptist Churches. Stuckey served many years as a board member of the National Baptist Convention of Texas. Additionally, Rev. Stuckey was Moderator of the Zion District Association of Baptist Churches for 30 Years. Several Mount Orange members held office in these organizations to include the former pastor, Pastor Brembry, was the Director-General of the Texas Congress of Christian Education. Mount Orange was blessed to host the 2010 Zion District Congress of Christian Education and the 2011 Texas Congress of Christian Education. In January 2019, Bishop Johnny Riley, Jr, was called to become the ninth pastor of Mount Orange. He and his family are active in the life of the church, the Texarkana Community and globally. The membership is increasing both in number and biblical knowledge under his leadership. Mount Orange continues a long-standing membership with the third Sunday Association of
Churches. This association of eight local churches worships together on the third Sunday of each month throughout the year and we are blessed to make a substantial financial donations to local service organizations. Mount Orange is a faithful member of Zion Baptist Association.
