M. S. Lemons collection

Collection

Identifier: M0051

Staff Only

Lemons baptizing converts in FL touched 300dpi, jpg

Scope and Contents

The M.S. Lemons collecton consists of an early written history of the Church of God until 1936. Each file contains documentations, minutes of the General Assembly, and hand-written notes that make up the information used in the type-written text.

Dates

early 20th century

Conditions Governing Use

This material may be protected under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use any digitized or otherwise copied material from our holdings for private study, scholarship, or research. Though the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center has physical ownership of the material in its collections, in some cases we may not own the copyright to the material. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in our collections.

Biographical / Historical

Major Sterling (M.S.) Lemons

Major Sterling Lemons was born on February 28, 1869, in Chestuee Mills, Tennessee to James Blackstone and Elisabeth Jane (Davis) Lemons. He was married to Martha Alice Carver on November 1, 1900, in Polk County, Tennessee. The Lemons were parents to six children: Frank Washington, Leah Jeanette, William Ambrose, David Lee, Lesse Haynes, and Lillian Ruth.

Lemons joined the Church of God in 1900. He had been a Baptist minister ten years prior to that time. When he was sanctified he was turned out of the Baptist church. He was baptized in the Holy Spirit at Union Grove, Tennessee.

Lemons was first credentialed with the Church of God on October 17, 1903. His credentials were signed by R.G. Spurling, W.F. Bryant, and A.J. Tomlinson. It is reported he was one of the first five ministers in the Church of God. He also compiled one of the first written histories of the Church of God, which makes up the bulk of the M.S. Lemons collection. Lemons held credentials with the Church of God during the years of 1903 and 1937.

Lemons died on November 11, 1955, in Bay County, Florida at the age of 86. He, along with his wife who died March 15, 1953, is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Panama City, Florida.