It was the year of 1910 the late George Gutter and his wife, Frankey Brumfield-Gutter  along with their two children--Georgia and Mamie, came to Tylertown, Mississippi.  Gutter’s vision for a place of worship led him to an old cattle shed where he removed the walls which provided enough material to build forty to fifty seats.  Friends who stood with him donated one table, one chair and some lamps.  Sawdust was used for flooring and kerosene lamps were mounted on posts as a source for lighting. 

Gutter started the ministry with those who God sent in support of the vision.  M.C. Hall-Dean, was elected as the first Sunday School superintendent. On May 5, 1910, the church was organized with the following members—Reverend Jesse Dillon (Moderator), Reverend D.J. Ross (Secretary), and Reverend L.S. Jones.  Deacons from other churches were in attendance also.  They included Square Gatlin Smith of Mount Olive and George Ratliff, along with John Fairchild, Sr. from Sunny Hill Missionary Baptist Church.  The church was named “Mount Wade Missionary Baptist Church.”  Reverend Jesse Dillon became the first pastor.  The founder, George Gutter became the first deacon.  Meeting days were held monthly--first Saturdays and Sundays.  Reverend G.W. Holden became pastor after the death of Reverend Jesse Dillon.  Henry Buckles and Robert Varnado were ordained as deacons and the following members were added:  M.C. Dean, George Pinn, Sr., George Pinn, Jr., Fred Raiford, Rankin Varnado, Lula Mae Allen, Pearl B. Williams, and Letha Buckles.  In 1913, the ministry was moved to its present site located at 1506 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and re-named “Tylertown First Baptist Church.”  The four succeeding pastors include: Reverend L.R. McEwen, Reverend James Pittman, Reverend Hivey Carson, and Bishop Walter J. Smith—who has served as pastor since January 1, 1982. 

As a native of Tylertown, Walter J. Smith-elected Bishop in January 2005, is a visionary to the empowerment of all people to achieve their God-given potential. He has developed numerous projects and organizations in the area in an effort ti revitalize the city of Tylertown, Mississippi. Under the leadership, the ministry has become God's catalyst for change in the region to combat poverty and unjustice. He is married to Shirley Smith, a native of Brookhaven, Mississippi. They are the parents of John and Gweneka.