A weekend of events will celebrate 150 years of history at King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church.

To begin the celebration of one of the oldest African- American churches in Vicksburg, the Rev. Dave Matthews, former president of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Mississippi, will deliver a sermon at the 1401 Farmer St. church at 7 tonight.

Saturday afternoon, church members will release helium-filled balloons containing messages and contact information during a cookout geared toward young people, said the Rev. R.D. Bernard, King Solomon pastor.

Wrapping up the weekend at 2 p.m. Sunday, the Rev. Jesse Horton, presidential candidate for the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Mississippi, will speak.

Many notable ministers including former presidents of the state convention, vice presidents of the National Baptist Convention and moderators for the Warren County Baptist Association have led the flock, Bernard said.

Due to overflowing attendance at the 136-year-old building, members have purchased 40 acres of property north of River Region Medical Center on U.S. 61 and Oak Ridge Road, Bernard said.

He said groundbreaking is scheduled for March 30, 2011.

Services will also continue at the current building, the pastor said. “We anchored here,” said Bernard.

He said several churches throughout the city including Pleasant Green, Mount Pisgah and Mount Heroden Baptist churches along with Living Word Christian Center originated at King Solomon.

The church has broadened its audience through broadcasts on radio stations including WJIW FM in Greenville, KCAT AM in Pine Bluff, Ark., and WRTM FM in Vicksburg; the congregation’s monthly magazine The Clarion Call; and on the church’s Web site, www.ksbc-vicksburg.org, Bernard said.

He said a broadcast of the service will debut on Vicksburg’s Channel 23 during the upcoming weekend.

Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com