125th Anniversary November 18, 2007

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125th Anniversary 1882-2007 November 18, 2007 First

1 125th Anniversary November 18, 2007 First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

2 THE HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS Compiled by the History Committee of First Baptist Church Myrle Duncan, Chair Carl Cox Ilene Enochs Imogene Everett Billie Doris Ford Myrna Goode Carolyn Molloy Church Staff Dr. David Burrows, Pastor Craig Erb, Associate Pastor for Youth John Bell, Associate Pastor of Music Jennifer Faglie, Minister for Children and Preschool Kim McElroy, First Friends Preschool Director Karen McGraw, Financial Secretary & Accompanist Carla Robinson, Ministry Assistant Ford McElroy, Pastoral Assistant Janie Newton, Accompanist 2 First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

3 HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BRIDGEPORT, TEXAS By reviewing several documents which chronicled the history of First Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Texas, and discovering the Texas Baptist Historical Collection administered by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the following pages trace its history until Although some written histories indicate that the church began in 1894, associational records from the archives verify the organization of the church in The various local documents were compiled from information provided by the following people: Mrs. Nannie Wells, Mrs. J. B. Green, Sr., Mrs. Lawson H. Kaker, Rev. R. E. Bost (1939), Rev. J. R. Ferguson, Dr. Joe Mosley, and Dr. Raymond Horne Wise County is established Bridgeport, Texas established. The town receives its name from an employee of the Butterfield Overland Stage Line who names towns along the stage route. Where First Baptist Church originally met First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

1882 First Baptist Church organizes in Bridgeport, Texas, and joins the Jacksboro Baptist Association. Alphus Hawkins is the first pastor and W. W. Cannon is the church clerk. Bro. A. Hawkins serves as pastor through 1884.

4 1882 First Baptist Church organizes in Bridgeport, Texas, and joins the Jacksboro Baptist Association. Alphus Hawkins is the first pastor and W. W. Cannon is the church clerk. Bro. A. Hawkins serves as pastor through W. W. Cannon serves as church clerk from 1882 until 1892 and again from 1894 through The 23 charter members include: W. W. Cannon and wife, William Carney and wife, Fayt Crawford and wife, William Ellis Johnson and wife Minerva, West Mullins and wife, Belve B. Pate and wife Claud, Andrew Jackson Ray and wife Lucinda, Katie Ray (A.J. Ray s sister), and Henry Pate. The church meets in Old Town (located near the river on FM 920) in the twostory building that is the Masonic Hall (from recollections of older members and citizens). Other denominations meet there in addition to school classes J. W. Cearley is the pastor until Alphus Hawkins, Our First Pastor (Photo taken April 4, 1915) 1886 The church joins the newly formed Wise County Baptist Association W. G. Hudson is the pastor and serves through No associational records for our church are found for these years J. W. Cearley is the pastor. The growing church finds quarters over Ratliff s Grocery in the Leonard Building W. G. Hudson is the pastor. The church moves into its first church home, a one-room auditorium which can be enlarged as the church grows. It is located at 1201 Cates Street. 4 First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

1896 J. F. Head is the pastor. 1897 B. F. Fronaberger is the pastor 1898 No pastor is listed in the Associational minutes 1899 Alphus Hawkins is the pastor again. 1900 M. L. McDowell is the pastor.

5 1896 J. F. Head is the pastor B. F. Fronaberger is the pastor 1898 No pastor is listed in the Associational minutes 1899 Alphus Hawkins is the pastor again M. L. McDowell is the pastor The church has no pastor. First church building, 1895 (this is a later photo showing addition) J. B. Tidwell is the pastor and W. W. Cannon, J. W. Bailey, and J. A. Liles are the church clerks. Dr. P. C. Funk serves as Sunday School Superintendent for 22 years as well as a director of the Wise County Baptist Association is a remarkable year for baptisms and additions to the church: 77 additions with 44 being by baptism. The membership is 197 in 1908 and 247 in J. B. Pyatt is the pastor and J. A. Liles is the church clerk. The membership is Associational minutes do not include pastor information for these years P. M. Murphy, R.L. Estes, are the pastors. J. F. Liles, J. B. Green, and E. F. Butler serve as church clerks. The GA s raise the first $5.00 to pay for a pastor s home which is built in It is located at 1208 Cates St. The white frame house has six rooms and a bath. The membership is 330 in 1912, 334 in 1913, 308 in 1914, and 281 in A. J. Holt is the pastor in 1918 and R. A. Watson in S. M. Ward, Miss Eura Street, Arnold Giles, and W. A. Reeves serve as church clerks. The membership is 276 First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

in 1918, 277 in 1920, and 292 in 1921. Miss Blanche Groves is commissioned as a missionary to China by the Southern Baptist Convention Board in June, 1920, and sails for China in August, 1920.

Mamie Moody is the pastor s wife. The WMU raises the first money for the new brick church which is completed in 1925. It is located at the corner of 12 th Street and Cates Street.

6 in 1918, 277 in 1920, and 292 in Miss Blanche Groves is commissioned as a missionary to China by the Southern Baptist Convention Board in June, 1920, and sails for China in August, Miss Blanche Groves A. D. Roberts is the pastor. The membership is 266 in 1922 and 354 in E. L. Moody is the pastor, and T. S. Pate is the church clerk. Mamie Moody is the pastor s wife. The WMU raises the first money for the new brick church which is completed in It is located at the corner of 12 th Street and Cates Street. The membership is 350 in 1924, 345 in 1925, 410 in 1926, and 417 in J. D. Thorne is the pastor, and L. H. Kaker is the church clerk. The membership is 400 in First brick church, First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

Faithful Workers - 1928 1929-36 A.L. Gregg, J.F. Rogers, and E.M. Agee serve as pastors in this order. Rev. Agee s wife is Annie. The association becomes the Montague-Wise Baptist Association.

7 Faithful Workers A.L. Gregg, J.F. Rogers, and E.M. Agee serve as pastors in this order. Rev. Agee s wife is Annie. The association becomes the Montague-Wise Baptist Association. In 1936, it becomes the Wise County Baptist Association. The membership of FBC is 453 in R.E. Bost is the pastor. Miss Faye Shelton and Miss Marian Ray serve as church clerks. The music director is Bert Hawkins. The membership is 448 in 1937, 425 in 1938, 485 in 1939, and 496 in R.E. Bost, Pastor, First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

1942-43 C.E. Roark is the pastor, and E.L. Paschall is the church clerk. T.S. Pate serves as music director.

Bert Hawkins and Frank Newton serve as music directors.

Cates Street Baptist Church, a mission of First Baptist Church, is organized in 1950.

8 C.E. Roark is the pastor, and E.L. Paschall is the church clerk. T.S. Pate serves as music director. The membership is 511 in 1942 and 515 in John R. Ferguson is the pastor, and his wife is Margaretta. Homer Green and Mrs. J. R. Ferguson serve as church clerks. Bert Hawkins and Frank Newton serve as music directors. In 1947, the church completes the brick educational building which is located between the 1925 building and the alley. Cates Street Baptist Church, a mission of First Baptist Church, is organized in The membership is 529 in 1944, 602 in 1945, 682 in 1946, 718 in 1947, 775 in 1948, and 862 in John R. Ferguson, Pastor 1947 Building Committee Willing Workers Sunday School Class in 1947 Educational Building 8 First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

Congregational Photo with John R. Ferguson, Pastor in 1925 Building 1951-56 Ed Stewart is the pastor, and his wife is Nola. Mrs.

Charles Van Frank is the first paid music minister.

The membership is 840 in 1951, 897 in 1952, 772 in 1954, 797 in 1955, and 819 in 1956.

Baker, Pastor & Family 1956-61 John W. Baker is the pastor, and his wife is Joyce. Mrs. Earl Ray (Dorothy), Mrs.

9 Congregational Photo with John R. Ferguson, Pastor in 1925 Building Ed Stewart is the pastor, and his wife is Nola. Mrs. Melvin Bush (Jean), Miss Joy Rutherford, and Mrs. Earl Ray (Dorothy) serve as church clerks. Charles Van Frank is the first paid music minister. Emmanuel Baptist Church, a mission of First Baptist Church, organizes in The membership is 840 in 1951, 897 in 1952, 772 in 1954, 797 in 1955, and 819 in Ed Stewart, Pastor & Family 1952 Revival with Evangelist Freddie Gage and Singer Jimmie Snelen John W. Baker, Pastor & Family John W. Baker is the pastor, and his wife is Joyce. Mrs. Earl Ray (Dorothy), Mrs. Joe Brooks, and Mrs. G.B. Funk (Norma) serve as church clerks. B. D. Nimmons and Russell Hightower serve as music ministers. The new auditorium completion is August 16, 1959, and is located east of the 1925 building. The membership is 887 in 1957, 883 in 1958, 930 in 1959, and 989 in First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

1961-67 James (Jimmy) H. Stiles is the pastor, and Oneida is his wife. Mrs. John F. Moody (Loreta) and Mrs. Bobby (Wanda) Hawkins are the church clerks. Dale Keeton is the music minister.

Jimmy & Oneida Stiles Joe Mosley, Pastor & Family Dan Castleman, Pastor 1967-72 Joe Mosley is the pastor, and his wife is Eileen. Mrs. Bobby Hawkins is the church clerk.

Castleman is the pastor, and his wife is Janice. Mrs. John F. Moody is the church clerk. Bert Hawkins, Lynn Madden, and Don Cleary serve as music ministers.

10 James (Jimmy) H. Stiles is the pastor, and Oneida is his wife. Mrs. John F. Moody (Loreta) and Mrs. Bobby (Wanda) Hawkins are the church clerks. Dale Keeton is the music minister. The membership is 896 in 1962, 982 in 1963, 1,043 in 1964, 986 in 1965, and 1,024 in In 1967, the Stiles were appointed missionaries to South America. Jimmy & Oneida Stiles Joe Mosley, Pastor & Family Dan Castleman, Pastor Joe Mosley is the pastor, and his wife is Eileen. Mrs. Bobby Hawkins is the church clerk. The music ministers are Gene Johnson, Edward Miller, Bert Ball, and Mike Slimp. The membership is 1,116 in 1969, 1,189 in 1970, 1,197 in 1971, and 1,224 in Dan D. Castleman is the pastor, and his wife is Janice. Mrs. John F. Moody is the church clerk. Bert Hawkins, Lynn Madden, and Don Cleary serve as music ministers. The membership is 1,222 in 1974, 1,235 in 1975, and 1,250 in Dedication services for the remodeling of the auditorium occur on May 6, Hal Kinkeade is the pastor, and his wife is Sandy. The educational building and gym on the east side of the church property is dedicated on March 9, The membership is 1,236 in 1977, 1,247 in 1978, and 1,256 in Troy Cartmill is the pastor, and his wife is Janice. Mary Lou Kenyon, Steve Summers, and Eulalah Kersey serve as church clerks, and Herb Todd is the music minister. The membership is 1,278 in 1981, 1,315 in 1982, and 1,227 in The 1925 red brick church building with the basement is demolished in the early 1980 s Dr. Raymond Horne is the pastor, and his wife is Janice. Rosie Vaught serves as church clerk for several of these years. Richard McCollum and Kent Barnes are music/ youth ministers. David Belk serves as youth minister during these times as well. The membership is 1,192 in 1984, 1,049 in 1986, 1,167 in 1987, 1,190 in 1988, 1,240 in 1989, and 1,294 in The faceted stained glass windows are ordered on July 24, 10 First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

1986, and installed later in the year. First Baptist Church of Runaway Bay and El Calvario Bautista of Bridgeport are started as missions of FBC Bridgeport. 1994-2001 Dr.

The new and remodeled educational/office area is dedicated on May 6, 2000. The 1925 building is demolished and a two-story educational space is constructed on Dr.

The original 1947 educational building is renovated into an office area. 2001-2003 Bo Blakey is the pastor, and his wife is Holly.

11 1986, and installed later in the year. First Baptist Church of Runaway Bay and El Calvario Bautista of Bridgeport are started as missions of FBC Bridgeport Dr. Bill Dye is the pastor, and his wife is Amy. Keith Burrow is the music minister. The youth ministers are Lance Burch and Alan Danielson. The membership is 1,301 in The new and remodeled educational/office area is dedicated on May 6, The 1925 building is demolished and a two-story educational space is constructed on Dr. Bill Dye First Baptist Church of Runaway Bay - Building Dedication 1995 Mission of First Baptist Church Bridgeport Dr. Raymond Horne the site. The original 1947 educational building is renovated into an office area Bo Blakey is the pastor, and his wife is Holly. David Cox is the music minister, and Scott Rawlings is the youth minister. Wise County Baptist Association becomes Harvest Baptist Association in October, Dr. Paul Sands serves as interim pastor. Craig Erb is the Associate Pastor for Youth Dr. David Burrows is the pastor, and his wife is Debbie. John Bell, Associate Pastor of Music joins the staff in Jennifer Faglie joins the ministerial staff in 2007 as Minister for Children & Preschool. The membership is 1306 in is a busy and exciting year: Updating and remodeling the auditorium, gym, kitchen, and children s area is completed including The Island. A new sound system and projection system are installed in 2007 as well. The church celebrates its 125th Anniversary on November First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

Vacation Bible School in the 1940 s Reaching People...Touching Lives www.fbcbridgeport.

12 Vacation Bible School in the 1940 s Reaching People...Touching Lives th Street Bridgeport, TX First Baptist Church Bridgeport, Texas ~ 125th Anniversary

Muldraugh Hill Baptist Church Report of the Nominating Committee September 1, 2018 August 31, 2019 General Officers Bro. Billy Compton (Pastor)

Moderator Assistant Moderator Muldraugh Hill Baptist Church Report of the Nominating Committee September 1, 2018 August 31, 2019 General Officers Bro. Billy Compton (Pastor) Clerk Assistant Clerk Organists: