Church: 1st Baptist Reaches 100
 Submitted by:shields@eufaula.lib.ok.us (Thelma Shields)
Source:  Extracted from The Sabine Index  February 28, 1990




**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 
     
FIRST BAPTIST REACHES 100

(Editor's Note:  The following article was provided by JoAnne Pickett,
of Many, detailing a brief history of the First Baptist Church of Many)

First Baptist Church of Many will celebrate its 100th birthday in
September of this year.  In 1896, thirteen individuals came together
and, under the leadership of T. D. Bush of the Home Mission Board,
organized the Many Baptist Church.  The members were:  Mrs. W. B.
Cleveland, Mr. E. C Dillion, Mrs.. Nettie Dillion, Mr. and Mrs. Will
Duggan, Mr. and Mrs. Will Gandy, Mrs. and Mrs. Amos Ponder, Mr. and Mrs.
J. E. Ross, Judge and Mrs. Don E. SoRelle.  The deacons were Don
SoRelle, J. E. Ross, E. C. Dillion and Amos Ponder.

The group bought the lots where the present church now stands and
erected a building.  Three other buildings have housed the membership of
Many First Baptist Church as it is now known.  The second building was
constructed in 1907 and the third in 1922.  The present educational
building was completed in 1951 and the present sanctuary in 1960.

A Ladies Aid Society now known as Women's Missionary Union was organized
in 1898 under the leadership of Mrs. C. C. Tetts.  This organization
played an important role not only in the missionary program but also in
meeting local needs of the church.  Through the years WMU has maintained
a strong active program.  Early church records show a functioning Sunday
School.  The Baptist Young People's Union was organized in 1920.  This
organization now known as Church Training Program, was expanded in the
1930's to include all ages.

A library was begun in the 1940's.  It has grown over the years to meet
the needs and interests of the members.

The first parsonage was on Ponder Street.  That home is presently owned
by Mike luster.  A pastor's home was built in 1939-40 next to the church
for $2,200.50.  The next parsonage was back on Ponder Street, built in
the 1950's.  The present parsonage was purchased in early 1980's from
Dr. Kopfinger.  It is on Andrus Street.

The church has provided organized Music and Youth, and Senior citizens
programs for many years.  Cable television programing began in 1978.
Morning and evening services are broadcast each Sunday.  The cable
service was and remains a vital out reach ministry of the church.

Through the years, First Baptist Church has always been mission
oriented.  It has sponsored several mission stations, one of which was
never organized into an active church, Alford Heights Baptist Church in
1950

Serving as pastors 1896-1994 were:  T. D. Bush, organizing minister,
Bruce Benton, A. L. Vaughan, W.R.. Brown, R. J. Brown, J. B. Brock,
George E. Middleton, E. L. Stovall, J. M. Pate, Henry T. Young, J. W.
Buchner, C. W. Williams, J. C. Clements, C. S. Miers, A. O. Youngblood,
W. H. Rose, Kelley Fitzgerald, Perry Lassiter, George Rod Smith, Joe H.
Ratcliff.  The church is being served at the present by interim pastor,
Rev. Bill Hines.

A careful study of its history shows Many First Baptist Church has
endeavored to meet the needs of people both at home and through
missions.  It has been a vital source of good these 100 years in the
Town of Many.