Thicket Church of God
About Us
The Thicket Church of God has a long-standing history, dating back to the war torn 1940s. On July 8, 1941, J.E. Perkins, along with his son Frank, started the church in the most humble of settings, a brush arbor. Rather than a building made of sticks and stones, the original church had walls made of tree trunks and a roof in the canopy of interlocking branches. For a year, father and son pastored to a congregation who sat on rough benches with grass under their feet.
Beginning in 1942, and lasting until 1952, the church went through several pastors. In 1952, Rev. T.J. Lightfoot began pastoring the church. It is during this time that the church became a stable factor in the community with the creation of what has since been know as the "Little White Church". In this building, Rev Lightfoot's congregation steadily grew until his retirement in 1964.
In 1966, Rev. Sherrel Loftin became the pastor of the Thicket church where he remained for nineteen years, the longest any pastor has led the church. During this time, the church building was expanded and eventually replaced by the brick building that stands now. The first service in this brick building was held on Father's Day of 1980. The parsonage of the church was built in 1986 under the supervision of Rev. Loftin's son, Rev. Michael Loftin.
The nineties saw the pastorship of Rev. Johnny House (1988-1995) and later Rev. Danny Barnett (1995-1999). In 1999, Rev. James Simpkins became the pastor and during his time as pastor began expansion of the church's sancturay. The current sanctuary was completed under pastor, Rev. W.T. Ainsworth.
Pastors of the Thicket Church of God:
1941-1942 Rev J.E. Perkens with help from son Frank Perkins
1942-1944 Rev. Myers
1944-1952 Rev. Weatherbee
Rev. Hardcastle
Rev. Oterson
Rev. Champane
Rev. Phil Eason
1952-1964 Rev. T.J. Lightfoot
1964-1965 Rev. Statum
1965-1966 Rev. C.H. Barnett
1966-1966 Rev. James Slayton
1966-1985 Rev. Sherrel C. Loftin
1986-1986 Rev. Michael D. Loftin
1986-1988 Rev James Slayton
1988-1995 Rev. Johnny House
1995-1999 Rev. Danny Barnett
1999-2008 Rev. James Simpkins
2008-2009 Rev. W.T. Ainsworth
2010 Rev. Mark Ainsworth
Beginning in 1942, and lasting until 1952, the church went through several pastors. In 1952, Rev. T.J. Lightfoot began pastoring the church. It is during this time that the church became a stable factor in the community with the creation of what has since been know as the "Little White Church". In this building, Rev Lightfoot's congregation steadily grew until his retirement in 1964.
In 1966, Rev. Sherrel Loftin became the pastor of the Thicket church where he remained for nineteen years, the longest any pastor has led the church. During this time, the church building was expanded and eventually replaced by the brick building that stands now. The first service in this brick building was held on Father's Day of 1980. The parsonage of the church was built in 1986 under the supervision of Rev. Loftin's son, Rev. Michael Loftin.
The nineties saw the pastorship of Rev. Johnny House (1988-1995) and later Rev. Danny Barnett (1995-1999). In 1999, Rev. James Simpkins became the pastor and during his time as pastor began expansion of the church's sancturay. The current sanctuary was completed under pastor, Rev. W.T. Ainsworth.
Pastors of the Thicket Church of God:
1941-1942 Rev J.E. Perkens with help from son Frank Perkins
1942-1944 Rev. Myers
1944-1952 Rev. Weatherbee
Rev. Hardcastle
Rev. Oterson
Rev. Champane
Rev. Phil Eason
1952-1964 Rev. T.J. Lightfoot
1964-1965 Rev. Statum
1965-1966 Rev. C.H. Barnett
1966-1966 Rev. James Slayton
1966-1985 Rev. Sherrel C. Loftin
1986-1986 Rev. Michael D. Loftin
1986-1988 Rev James Slayton
1988-1995 Rev. Johnny House
1995-1999 Rev. Danny Barnett
1999-2008 Rev. James Simpkins
2008-2009 Rev. W.T. Ainsworth
2010 Rev. Mark Ainsworth
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