This old veteran, Dr. Simon Harper, is one of the oldest and most worthy Negro Baptist Minsters in Mississippi. In the dark days of slavery, his master styled him as his "Negro Preacher", and would invite his friends from far and near to hear him expound the word of God, and yet he could not read a line. Intelligent white people, after having heard him preach, said that they had never heard the gospel before they heard him. Rev. Harper was born in Holmesville, Mississippi, August 1, 1823. His parents were Frank and Elizabeth Harper. His father was a native of Africa, and his mother was an Indian Negro. In 1845, he was converted by a sermon preached by Rev. Jeremiah Reeves of the white race. He joined a white Baptist church in Amite County, where he remained for some time. In the same year he joined the church, he gan preaching the gospel under the hardships that slavery offered. Though often wounded in spirit and body, he went on with the messages of the Lord though he could not read, he said that the Lord marvelously instructed him out of His word. After slavery, he said that the colored people in his neighborhood seemed to lose sight of God's word. Still night and day with the Lord he was taught what to do. He was ordained by Rev. Peter Turner in the Jerusalem Baptist church (white) to the ministry. Then he preached from 'stomp stand,' in gin houses and wherever he found a place to preach the Word of God to people. After five to six churches were organized by him, they were scheduled to meet in a convention in 1867.

 

The next year the Pearl River and Amite River Association and the South Mississippi and East Louisiana Baptist Convention was organized where he was president for thirty consecutive years.

 

During his administration a new idea was born, a school was thought of for the training of young interested black people, which was to be the only one of its kind in South Mississippi. The school was organized and built in Gloster, Mississippi known by the name as "Harper Baptist College." Able promoters of the school gave their whole hearted cooperation. Some of these were: Rev. Sleeper, Rev. Cunnigen, Rev. Frederick Sterling, Rev. Wilcher, Rev. L. F. Caulfield, Rev. Carrol, Rev. P.S. Evans and Dr. R.W. Demas. 

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The school at Gloster made progress until high schools were erected in nearby areas which gave Harper College great competition. The school began losing its prestige and finally the building was destroyed by fire. Later, the Conventional District saw fit to sell the remaining property in Gloster and buy property and build in Magnolia, Mississippi. The school to be built was to retain part of its original name.

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The school was erected in 1942 with Rev. James Varnado and Deacon John Wilcher as builders, and was opened and operated in the name of Harper Baptist Seminary. It was organized under the leadership of Dr. H.L. Land, who came to these parts as a Missionary for the Southern Baptist Convention. This effort was started in the New Zion Baptist Church in 1941. Some of the first students to attend Harper were Rev. E.G. McEwen, Rev. H.B. Moore, Rev. Garoe Holden, Rev. Leroy McEwen, Rev. B.F. Robinson, Rev. W.H. Tobias, Rev. John Vance, Rev. L.E. McEwen, Rev. Ned Taylor, and Rev. W.L. Lumzy.

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During the period of the past years some strong supporters, who were presidents of the Convention, are as follows: Rev. L.S. Jones, Rev. G.W. Holden, Rev. H.B. Moore, Rev. W.H. Tobias, Rev. Ned Taylor, Dr. H.L. McKnight, Dr. M.J. Varnado and the late Dr. Ernest Landrew. At present Dr. George Coney is serving as President, Rev. Lee Allen Pounds, Executive Vice President, Dr. Gary Brumfield, 1st Vice President, Rev. Louis Johns, 2nd Vice President, and Rev. Clennard Ross, 3rd Vice President. Since the seminary work was begun many ministers, deacons, Sunday School and Church workers have been helped by the movement that was started by Dr. Simon Harper many years ago.

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Past Presidents of Harper were: Dr. Willie B. Tobias, Sr., Rev. H.B. Moore, Rev. Ned Taylor, Rev. W.H. Tobias, Dr. H.L. McKnight, Dr. R.S. Porter, and Dr. L.E. McEwen.

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At present the school is going on fine with such instructors as Rev. Robert McCarty, Dr. Gary Brumfield, Rev. Don Allen, Rev. Robert Dobbs, Dr. Rose Craig and Rev. Rev. Willie Martin on the main campus;   Dr. Calvin Newsom (Columbia Extension, Columbia, MS);  Rev. Willie Peters  (Ford's Chapel Extension, Sandy Hook, MS). The officers of the Harper Baptist Seminary at present are Dr. Edward Moyese Boss, President; Dr. Hilton Taplin, Sr., Dean; and Mrs. Jacqueline Tobias, Registrar/Secretary.

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Harper Baptist Seminary is dedicated to improving religious education in South Mississippi and East Louisiana through the help of God.

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Last update: February 2024