SMITH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, 100th Anniversary Celebration, Smith Co, TX HISTORY, 1898-1998, CHURCHES - PASTORS - ASSOCIATION OFFICERS - 1998 Information taken from the Program for the Centennial Celebration ***************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net 21 March 2001 Permission granted by Paul M. Saylors, Executive Director, Smith Baptist Association ***************************************************************** 100th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - SMITH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION PRELUDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Orchestra Director of Music: Mike Parks Minister of Music, Green Acres Baptist Church Narrator: Chuck McDonald CALL TO WORSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Choir & Orchestra: "Let There Be Glory/Come Into His Presence" WORSHIP THROUGH PRAISE . . . . . . . . ."Stand and Praise the Lord" Choir, Orchestra and Quartet Jerry Calaway, Stacy Perkins, Alan Herring & Floyd Williford HYMN OF PRAISE . . . . . . . . ."All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Russell H. Dilday President, Baptist General Convention of Texas WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Charles G. Dodson Chairman, 100th Anniversary Task Force Pastor, The Woods Baptist Church THE ASSOCIATION IN THE COMMUNITY Introduction of Government Officials Recognitions Words of Congratulations. . . . . . . . . .Honorable Ralph M. Hall THE ASSOCIATION IN THE DENOMINATION Words of Congratulations from the Southern Baptist Convention . . . . . Dr. A. William Merrell, Jr. Words of Congratulations from The Baptist General Convention of Texas Dr. William M. Pinson, Jr. HYMNS OF ADORATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."To God Be the Glory" "Majesty" "How Great Thou Art" THE ASSOCIATION IN THE CHURCHES Pastoral Representative . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Ernest Trice, Sr. Pastor, New Generation Baptist Church Recognition of Churches . . Choir & Orchestra: "I Am Not Ashamed" Soloist: Angie Smith THE ASSOCIATION IN MINISTRY . Choir & Orchestra: "Find Us Faithful" Duet: Leslie Crawford & Bret Hendricks THE ASSOCIATION IN THE FUTURE . . . . . . . . . Rev. Paul L. Saylors Executive Director, Smith Baptist Association WORSHIP THROUGH MUSIC . . .Choir & Orchestra: "Name Above All Names" Narator: Rev. Pat Alvey, Associate Pastor, Friendly Baptist Church POSTLUDE -------------------------------------------------------------------- SMITH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION l898-l998 The following history of the Smith Baptist Association was compiled from information recently submitted by the churches in the Asociation. Although 69 churches comprise this group, historical information was received by less than half of these churches with some of the information very detailed and some not as informative. The intention of the writer in selecting what to include and what not to include in this historical sketch was based upon a desire to show as wide a variety as possible of the various workings of the Holy Spirit in the establishment of the churches--and, whenever applicable, the involvement of the Association itself. Also included are stories of unusual stewardship and determination--stories to inspire each of us toward greater stewardship for our Lord, stories to make us appreciate even more the heritage we enjoy today in our own churches. Although the Smith Baptist Association was not formed until 1898, its history must surely include that of the numerous churches formed prior to that date and which later became a part of the Association. In order to obtain a perspective on this time period, we need to understand that after Texas gained its independence and had been admitted to the Union, the Southern Baptist Convention of the older states of the Union sent missionaries into different parts of our great state. Numbers of Baptist ministers moved to Texas to cast their lots with the people of Texas. The first church organized in Texas that was based strictly on gospel principles was organized in the Spring of 1837. This occurred when a group of "Texican Baptists" met near Washington-on-the Brazos to organize a church "come what might." The actions of this "rag-tag group of religious rabble rousers" is now considered an historic pioneer moment in Texas. Eight years later, in 1845, the Southern Baptist Convention was organized at Augusta, Georgia. Three years after that, the Texas Baptist State Convention was organized in 1848 at Anderson. This same year, on April 8, 1848, the 53rd Baptist church in Texas was organized in Tyler thanks to the ministry and leadership of Elder W. H. Ray. Eight charter members formed the foundation of the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. Their first meeting place was in the log courthouse on the north side of Tyler's downtown square. "Huge oaks from little acorns grow" could be said of this church as their television and radio ministry now reaches many beyond their church doors. A year and a half later, on October 27, 1849, the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WINONA was organized. The original name of this church was Harris Creek Baptist Church, named for the site of its origin-on a small bluff overlooking the waters of Harris Creek. Take note that this church was also organized by Elder Wm. H. Ray, the same missionary who was instrumental in organizing the First Baptist Church of Tyler. Ray was born in Kentucky on October 9, 1802 and died on September 25, 1875. He is buried in the old Antioch Cemetery in the Sand Flat Community. No record indicates whether he came into this wilderness area of Texas of his own accord or if he was sent to our state, but he successfully pioneered Baptist work in East Texas. Harris Creek Baptist Church was built of hewn pine logs hauled with teams of oxen from east of the community now known as Starrville. The 20' x 24' building had a section set aside for the slaves who came to hear the story of Jesus Christ. Many were saved and their names were entered on the rolls of the church. In June 1855, the church membership outgrew the original building. Consequently a larger structure was built. lii 1864, a partition was built through the building to provide a separate school room. In 1873, a second story was added to the building; but in 1878 a cyclone leveled the building to the ground. The teacher and some thirty children were in the building at the time, but no one was seriously hurt. This church has continued to grow and expand and recently purchased property adjacent to its present building for $28,000. In one of God's quiet corners, among the wooded, rolling hills of East Texas, stands CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH, one of the oldest congregations in the state. It was organized May 6, 1853 when cotton was king and the state only 17 years from Mexican rule. The church was organized in a vacant house on Duck Creek with six charter members. One of the charter members, Milton Carter, was ordained to the ministry in June, 1859, and at this same time was called as the pastor of the church. He succeeded Bro. J. S. Bledsoe who served as pastor for seven years. Carter was paid $125 a year, the first recorded salary paid to their pastor. On September 12, 1863, the church gave $10 to Army Missions-the first recorded missions offering. The membership of the church on October 14, 1865 was "Whites 65; Colored 26, making a total of 9l." When the slaves were freed, they were "lettered out" of the church so they could form their own church--DUCK CREEK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH. Carmel, sitting near the town of Lindale, has weathered a split and the dethronement of cotton, but nevertheless endures to serve its community. A number of individuals who had been dismissed from Baptist churches in the vicinity of the Carroll Community came together on November 19, 1865 and formed the DOVER BAPTIST CHURCH. R. M. Stell preached their first sermon, basing it upon the message from Ephesians 2:22 which states, "In whom ye are also builded together for a habitation of God through the spirit." The history of the Dover Church has had its ups and downs as is true with many churches. There was a time when talk of disbanding almost resulted in a vote. But "Grandpa Gentry," as everyone knew him, refused to give up. By speaking the courage of his convictions he convinced other members of the church not to take the vote. Because of faithful members like him, the church endured and in 1995 celebrated their 130th Anniversary. In 1866, the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TROUP was organized. Under the leadership of the pioneer preacher, W. G. Caperton, the church was organized in the old Bell log school house. Most of the charter members had been members of the church at Knoxville. They organized this new church because it would be closer to their homes. The community of Troup was originally called Zavalla. As soon as the I. and G.N. Railroad was built, and the townsite of Zavalla was laid out, the church moved into town onto a lot donated by the railroad company. A frame building was erected and was used until 1911, when the present sanctuary was built. The frame building, heated with wood burning stoves, contained no rest room facilities or electric lights. Often in the cold of winter, meetings had to be canceled due to their mode of transportation as well as their heated building. The baptismal services were conducted in warm weather in nearby ponds owned by members of the church. In September, 1902, electric lights were installed in the little building. This church's interesting history notes that in 1897 they built a parsonage which they sold two years later for the sum of $396. In 1871, a Missionary Baptist Church was organized at Pleasant Hill in a log school house. This "Hard Shell" Missionary Baptist Church had very strict beliefs and was founded by eight charter members. Among those eight was W. B. Funderburgh, a local wealthy land owner whose son, Oyer, had married Helen Mar Hill, the daughter of Smith County's first surveyor, James Calhoun Hill. When Mr. Hill's mother-in-law moved to the Whitehouse area, she found the place so refreshing and pleasant she stated she wished to be buried there--hence the origin of the name "Pleasant Hill." The organizing pastor in 1871 was a Rev. Barton, a Primitive Baptist minister. In 1872, Rev. Caperton was elected as their first pastor, and a plot of ground was deeded to the church by W. B. Funderburgh. A one room log church house was erected there to serve its 30 members. PLEASANT HILL BAPTIST CHURCH has experienced a steady growth and in 1925 moved close to the new Tyler to Whitehouse highway. 0. B. Funderburgh, son of W. B. Funderbugh, deeded the church another plot of ground on which was erected a three room building, valued at $2,000. Its membership reached 2063 in 1997 and for 125 years its ministry has been a beacon of Christian inspiration to that highly populated and growing area of Smith County. GARDEN VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH dates back to April, 1872, and is located about 20 miles northwest of Tyler on the elevated divide between the Neches and the Sabine. SHARON BAPTIST CHURCH was organized in 1876 to serve the needs of the people of eastern Smith County. Most of the population in the area were cotton farmers. The lady who named the church insisted the church name be pronounced Sha-ron. About eleven miles southwest of Tyler is a tract of land known as the Don Thomas Quevado Seven League. The Neches River formed the western boundary of the tract. The land was granted to Quevado by the Spanish government for services rendered. This fertile land with rolling hills and wooded areas contained many beautiful streams. This was the land that was to become the future site of the NOONDAY BAPTIST CHURCH. By 1866 a few settlers had squatted over the territory and the Baptist people organized a church near the Neches River. They named it the Seven League Baptist Church. In 1876, two couples withdrew fom the Seven League Church and together with one other person met at the crossroads in the center of Seven League and organized a Baptist church. Ed W. Smith named the church "Noonday" for his little community in the state of Georgia. Since then the old Seven League has been known as the "Noonday Community." The twenty-fifth annual session of the Cherokee Baptist Association was held at the First Baptist Church, Tyler on October 7, 9, and 10, 1876 at which time the messengers from Noonday Baptist Church petitioned for membership into the Association and were accepted. They had 7 members in the church. The land for the present Noonday Baptist Church was purchased June 22, 1888. One dollar was paid for the one acre. A great revival was held in 1890 which more than doubled their membership. When the Seven League church dissolved in I 898, six families from that church joined the Noonday church. In June, 1878, fifty-nine people met together and organized the MOUNT SYLVAN BAPTIST CHURCH. Soon afterwards they voted to meet on the third Sabbath and Saturday before. The pastor, Brother J. S. Bledsoe served until February, 1883 at which time the church called W. G. Caperton, who was instrumental in the formation of the church in Troup (or Zavalla, as it was first called) as well as the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. To meet their obligations, the congregation adopted a rule "that each member pay to the treasury five cents per month for Church expenses." The sisters of the church were later exempted from this requirement. In the September's conference of 1887, the pastor's salary was increased to $8.75 per meeting or $200 a year. The Church took severe steps to oppose disorderly Christian conduct which included dancing, unfaithfulness to the Church, intoxication, and cursing. Investigative committees were organized to study such matters and report back to the Church. In some cases, the Church preferred charges against wrongdoers and excluded them from the Church rolls. The area in which PINE SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH is located was settled in the late 1840's. The community was first known as Fruit, the name honoring the fruit growers in that area. A canning industry thrived until about 1900 when disease killed all the fruit trees and the name w as no more applicable and the post office closed. In 1881, two men, L. E. Nunn and C. L Wright, deeded (for the sum of $11.50) two acres of land for a combined church and school. This land contained a bubbling spring and a huge pine tree--hence the name, Pine Springs. The small one-room log building that was erected served as both a school and a church. The original name of the church was Pine Springs Baptist ChurcH of Christ. About nine years after the land purchase, the church members began to seek a site for a permanent church building. On December 20, 1890, a good Methodist brother, E.G. Harvey, his wife, Barbara, and John Cousins proposed to give 3 acres of land for the building of a church--stipulating that if the church were not built within 5 years the land would revert to the original owners. They were paid $12.50 for the 3 acres. The building committee bad raised $514.50 by July, 1891, and a contract was awarded to a bid of $772.50. Building commenced on August 23, 1891, and the building was finished in less than a year. The FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALBA began in 1885, as so many churches did in East Texas--under the shade of a large tree. They later shared a building south of the old railroad tracks with the Methodists. In 1903, the church purchased the church building belonging to the Methodist Church in Winnsboro and moved it to Alba. The building was placed near the old meeting place south of the tracks. In 1916, a new building was erected just north of the current location. One of the church's most faithful members was Annie Johnson Dailey who was born in 1899. She was saved and became a member of the church on September 14, 1914. From then to the end of her 98 years of life on this earth, she remained a faithful member of this church. She recalled being baptized along with about 15 others in the Gin pool. Much of her life she walked the two miles to church and the two miles back home, regardless of weather conditions. When the weather was bad, the road was often muddy. This didn't stop her from going to church. Ms. Annie just carried her Sunday shoes in her hand and walked barefooted. When she reached town, she cleaned off her feet, put on her shoes, and went to church. In February, 1890, DAMASCUS BAPTIST CHURCH was established in Lindale. The year before, David Skiles and M. W. Wadsworth sensed a need for a church in the Nebo community of Smith County. On February 9, 1890, ten members of the community met with Skiles and Wadsworth and became charter members of the church. For its first seven years, the congregation met in the Nebo Schoolhouse. Then in a brush arbor meeting in either 1894 or 1895, forty people were baptized into the church. No longer would the little schoolhouse be adequate for the church's needs, so plans began to erect a new church facility. In 1895, Amy Wells donated three acres of land to the church. The D. B. MeDowells also donated one and a half acres of land located across the street from Mrs. Wells' donation, so the church would have a water supply from the spring on the property. In 1896, construction began on the first building ever located on the present church site. The name Damascus was chosen for the church by Mrs. Wells who was probably influenced in her choice by the moving of the Holy Spirit in the brush arbor meeting--similar to the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Apostle Paul as he traveled the road to Damascus. Prior to 1898, the Baptist churches of Smith County were affiliated with the Cherokee Baptist Association. For several years, the sessions of this association had not been very harmonious--the churches being divided over the question of cooperating with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the management of the Baptist School at Rusk. In 1898, the association met with the Rocky Springs Church near Jacksonville. The greater part of the four-day session was a wrangle over Rusk College. Soon after this session, The First Baptist Church, Tyler, issued a call to churches in Smith County to meet and discuss the organization of a new association. On December 6, 1898, four churches met at Dean Baptist Church near Tyler. These four churches became charter members of the SMITH COUNTY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION: Dean Baptist Church, Noonday Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Tyler, and North Tyler Baptist Church which is now Calvary Baptist. When the Smith County Baptist Association met on October 30, 1900, Pine Springs Baptist Church requested and was granted membership into the association. In October, 1900, Mt. Sylvan Baptist Church instructed their messengers to call for the letter of dismissal from the Cherokee Association and then joined the Smith County association in September, 1903. Also in 1903, (August 2), the Missionary Baptist Church of Mt. Carmel was organized. Located in the walnut Grove area of Smith County (close to Whitehouse), it was named after a church in Alabama once pastored by Rev. Jim Phillips, the organizer of the church. During the early years of the church, "practice preachers" from Rusk College filled the pulpit. The church paid their railroad fare, and members provided transportation back and forth from the train station to the church building. "Things began to happen in the church" in 1920 as new members were added. By April 21, 1921, 158 attended Sunday School and gave an offering of $7.92. Twenty more were added during the middle of July; and on October 6, 1921, Mt. Carmel, an independent Baptist Church, petitioned and was received into the Smith County Baptist Association. It wasn't un+il 1933 that the name MT. CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH began to be used. CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, originally called Joy Baptist Church, was organized August 6, 1904 in the Joy Community. One of their members was Brigadier General Robert P. Taylor who was later chosen as the new chief of Air Force chaplains during World War II. Taylor was licensed to preach on February 7, 1929, by Joy Baptist and served as their pastor from 1929 to 1931, earning at that time $150 a year. In April 1941 he was assigned to the 31st Infantry in Manila, Philippine Islands. At the outbreak of the war, his outfit went to the front lines on Bataan where he was cited for bravery and awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. The American forces surrendered, and Chaplain Taylor became chaplain of the prison hospital in Cabanatuan where he ministered to 10,000 patients. In the summer of 1944 the Japanese caught him smuggling food and medicine to patients and punished him by placing him in a cage too small for him either to stand up or lie down. For 14 weeks he remained in this solitary confinement. To everyone's surprise, he was alive when he was removed from the cage. In a 1961 NBC interview, he said, "All of us felt far from home, but I have never felt nearer to God." (His story is told in a book titled "Days of Anguish, Days of Hope.") WESTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH began in 1908 with a children's Sunday School led by Mrs. G.M. Daniels at 602 E. Queen Street. A rural church that used a circuit preacher was established in 1910 down the street from Mrs. DanielS. As Tyler expanded north, a local church grew to include the Queen Street property and was known as Queen Street Baptist Church. In 1940 a two-story building was constructed. As the church continued to grow, it moved in 1978 to Loop 323 and at that time took the name Westwood Baptist Church. On June 11, 1911, the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HAWKINS was organized with the help of G.M. Daniels, Smith County Associational Missionary. The 16 charter members met in the "old frame school house." Construction began the following year on their first church building which cost $1500--a building that served them for the next 34 years. The original name of the church was Hawkins Baptist Church, but this name was changed in 1954 to First Baptist Church. (They joined the Smith County Association in 1973.) New churches continued to be established in Smith County. In 1927, EAST TYLER BAPTIST CHURCH was organized by Rev. H. H. Wallace, Moderator of the Smith County Baptist Association. Then on May 31, 1936, the SAM HOUSTON BAPTIST CHURCH was organized to serve an area in Tyler containing no nearby churches. They purchased two lots, did most of the construction themselves, moved into the new building in 1938, and voted to give 10% to the Cooperative Program. In 1939, the pastor's salary was raised from $75 per month to $125 per month. At this time 250 were enrolled. When their new building was completed in 1940, they hosted the Smith County Baptist Association annual meeting that fall. When the church burned in 1947, everything was destroyed, including their pipe organ. In 1948, when the church was rebuilt, the name was changed to TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH. EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH of Tvler held its first services on March 9, 1938. When they were received into the Smith County Association that following October, they changed their name to East Emmanuel Baptist Church because there was already in existence in the association an Emmanuel Baptist Church. The name stayed East Emmanuel from 1938 until 1946 when the name was changed back to Emmanuel Baptist. An acre of land was purchased in 1939 for the sum of $200, but it would be 1941 before the first services would be held in the newly built church. Because most of the work was done by members of the church, the war hampered that work when some of the church members were called to duty. TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH, established in the Spring of 1940, was onginally called York Baptist Church, then Oakwood Baptist Church. In September 1988, it became a mission of Green Acres Baptist Church and became known as The Good Samaritan. Originally a Fundamentalist Baptist church, Temple Baptist voted to affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention on October 18, 1950. "A Friendly Church in the Heart of a Friendly Community" is the slogan chosen by DIXIE BAPTIST CHURCH, a relatively new church founded June 15, 1941 with 12 charter members. Recalling that Christ had 12 disciples, the organizers voted to close the charter membership roll with the names of those present at that time. At the time Dixie Baptist was founded, there was no Baptist church west of town except Dean and Concord which were farther on west. The need was felt for a Baptist church in the community; and although many had a part in its organization, two individuals stand out as having shouldered the responsibility--Mr. and Mrs. Coy Carlisle. Sunday School was held in a three room house just west of Loggins store while the children's classes were held outside in the shade of a tree. Later, a shed, platform, and tent served as the meeting place. That summer, a letter was sent to the seminary in Fort Worth asking for an evangelist to come hold a revival mceting. He and his wife arrived one Sunday in August, and the revival resulted in 61 members being added to the church. Dixie Baptist called the evangelist, Bro. Ingram, to be its pastor. In accepting, he said, "My first revival, my first baptizing, my first pastorate to a church that has its first pastor--a wonderful experience." On December 7, 1941, they were conducting their first ordination service when all were startled by the announcement that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. The tent served as their church for some time. In the summer they made ice cream and in the winter they stood around a stove made from an oil drum. They moved into their first building on March 4,1942, bought the old seats from the Liberty Theater, and purchased a used grand piano for $l50. They were on their way. COUNTY LINE BAPTIST CHURCH, located in the small farming hamlet of Eureka which is six miles west of Bullard, was reorganized on August 15, 1947 With 18 present. A group of people wanted this church bad enough to build it with their own hands. They purchased for $2000 the Eureka School Building, a large frame building which was abandoned after the school consolidated with Bullard. The men worked part-time and razed the school gym and auditorium, salvaging approximately 70,000 feet of lumber to use in building their church. It took nearly a month to tear down the buildings, pull the nails, and stack the boards. Usually there were from eight to a dozen men working each day. Meanwhile, the congregation of 75 met each week in the unrazed portion of the school building. Another uniqtie phase of the project is that the following year the church cultivated 20 acres (10 in watermelons and 10 in cotton) dedicating the crop to the building fund. Members of the congregation tilled the land. The first service of EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH IN ARP was held in the Arp School auditorium on October 4, 19A8. The charter members voted in their first meeting to affiliate with the Smith County Baptist Association, Texas Baptist Ceneral Convention, and Southern Baptist Convention. The Arp First Baptist Church offered their frame annex building as a temporary church building, an offer that was accepted. The building was moved to the new church property, and the first meeting held there was on November 14, 1948. SOUTHERN OAKS BAPTIST CHURCH began as New Life Baptist Church on November 28, 1954 at a meeting held at Calvary Baptist Church. Brother Leo Rudd, the Associational Missionary, served as moderator and recognized sixty-two charter members. Permanent roots were put down in 1955 when the church purchased property on Copeland Road that held a log cabin. After being renovated, this cabin served is the church's meeting place until the new building was completed. The North Bois d'Arc held its first meeting in March 1962 in the home of W. W. and Margaret Bridges. The members asked Rev. Bill Vick to become their pastor. Vick was also approached by Dr. Shamburger of First Baptist Church, Tyler as well as Tilson Maynard, Association Missionary. Vick accepted their invitation to pastor the church. By August, 1962, the mission had become self-supporting and was renamed the TYLAND BAPTIST CHURCH. Vick was Tyler's first television evangelist. He left radio and television to form Bailes Baptist in North Tyler, then Tyland Baptist. As a layman, he worked among railroad transients. The "levee" area downtown bustled with activitv back then. As a Railroad Express Ageny employee, and a new Christian. Vick was asked in 1949 to open a Rescue Mission, under the direction of Tyler's First Baptist Church. His work in railroad yards helped launch a career which included Vick's serving as pastor of Tyland Baptist for 24 years. On February 20, 1976, seventeen people, already living in the Lake Palestine area along FM 315, met at the Knight Welch Grist Mill office for the purpose of considering the need to establish a church. Under the guidance of Rev. Kirby McGuire, Director of Missions for Smith County Baptist Association, WEST LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH was organized. Sylvania Baptist Church of Tyler became the "mother church." The first services were held in the grist mill with the pastor, Rev. McGuire, preaching behind a pulpit placed beside the grinding machine of the grist mill. The church later moved to a large blue tent. Being sponsored by the Smith County Baptist Association is an interesting account of the West Lake Baptist Mission since the church is actually located in Henderson Count. In asking our association to sponsor them, the members explained they related more to Smith County because many of them worked in Tyler and had been affiliated with Tyler churches prior to moving to the west side of Lake Palestine. The Henderson County association gave their blessings to this request so plans proceeded with the mission. In 1976, The Smith County Baptist Association began working with an architect to develop a Master Plan for Timberline Camp. The camp, used for church retreats, seminars, camping, Bible study conferences, youth rallies, lectureship series, training conferences for church association, as well as regional and state conventions, is situated on 82 acres between Lindale and Interstate 20 on FM 849. Ernie Liebig was elected as the camp's first director and in 1979 the Phase I biulding plans were authorized. These included the dam and lake, the dining facility for 300 persons. a modular dorm and a building complex for office, first aid, directors quarters, and some motel accommodation. Volunteer work crews cleared out areas at the site, hauled brush, and trimmed trees. Current building projects continue to be carried out by volunteers who devote their time and energy to the Association's camp. The first service of HARVEST ACRES BAPTIST CHURCH, organized May 13, 1987, was held under a beautiful oak grove on HighwAy 80 West. Seventeen people were present. This new missions church of Mineola's First Baptist Church soon had to move into a member's carport when the weather was inclement. By the end of September they moved into the old junior high school building and later into the old elementary school buildintt on Blair Street. Ground-breaking for a new facility took place on October 9, 1989 with many hours donated by the Texas Baptist Men Retiree Builders. Within five days the steeple was raised. Most of the interior work was done by the men of the church and Abner Bryant, a retiree builder from Tyler. Dr. Wayne Logan and his wife, Dorothy, havee been among the major leaders in Harvest Acres Baptist Church since its early beginnings. They were career Southern Baptist Missionaries in Nigeria for thirty years. Smith Baptist Association has grown steadily since its inception in 1898 and presently consists of 69 churches and 21 missions. These churches and missions are a strong moral, spiritual, evangelistic, and missionary force for Christ at home and to the ends of the earth. Article IV of the Association's constitution reads, "The Association exists to encourage and assist member churches in Christian fellowship and in fulfilling the Great Commission." In its annual meeting on October 29, 1997, the association voted to officially change its name to "Smith Baptist Association" in recognition of the several churches outside Smith County within our fellowship. As you can see from these various "historical sketches," many faithful consecrated church members have worked long and hard and given sacrificially in order that God's work might go forward. The harvest of their efforts will never be known on this earth in the numbers of people saved and the display of love shown to one another. Their efforts have certainly resulted in numerous former pastors and members going forth as missionaries into all parts of the world, devoting their lives to full time religious service. Additionally, various church members have traveled all over the world to conduct services, build churches, provide medical attention, perform general clean-up duties, and in many other ways personally display God's great love for humanity. As we view the past with appreciation, let us face the future with anticipation and determination. ---Compiled by Lou Anne Smoot --------------------------------------------------------------------- THE CHURCHES OF SMITH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION as of November 15, 1998 Organized Church Pastor 1848 First Baptist Church of Tyler Michael M. Massar 1849 First Baptist Church of VVinona Milton Gardner, Interim 1851 Antioch Baptist Church Maurice Barnes 1853 Carmel Baptist Church Sherman Mayfield 1855 Liberty Baptist Church of Hawkins David W. Franklin 1857 First Baptist Church of Edom Fred L. Albert 1858 Hopeweli Baptist Church Dennis E. Terry 1861 Hebron Baptist Church Rex Ponder 1865 Dover Baptist Church L. C. Hester 1866 First Baptist Church of Troup James Cheatham, Interim 1869 First Baptist Church of Whitehouse Harold Davis 1871 Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Michael L. Wyatt 1872 Dean Baptist Church Calvin Jones 1872 Garden Valley Baptist Church Reggie Day 1875 First Bap~ist Church of Mineola Mark Neeley 1876 Noonday Baptist Church Bill Barnett 1876 Sharon Baptist Church W. Ray Davis 1878 Mt. Sylvan Baptist Church James B. Rutledge 1881 Pine Springs Baptist Church Charles H. Paschall 1882 Friendship Baptist Church Paul Rucker 1885 First Baptist Church of Alba Jimmy Holland 1890 Calvary Baptist Church of Tyler Michael W. Wright (formerly North Tyler) 1890 Damascus Baptist Church Ray H. Singleton 1896 Pruitt Baptist Church David W. McNary 1903 Mt. CaLmel Baptist Church Bennie Portwood 1904 Joy Baptist Church Mark Towns 1904 Prairie Creek Baptist Church John Offutt 1907 Flint Baptist Church Sam DeVille 1908 Westwood Baptist Church Dick Senter, Interim (formerly Queen Street) 1910 First Baptist Church of Swan Abner Bryan 1911 First Baptist Church of Hawkins Gary O'Day 1912 First Baptist Church of Gresham Roy F. Thoene 1926 North DIxie Baptist Church R. Duane Petty 1927 East Tyler Baptist Church Bud Peters 1936 Trinity Baptist Church Larry D. Hunt (formerly Sam Houston) 1938 Emmanuel Baptist Church Robert Brooks 1940 Good Samaritan Outreach Mission David Sheppard 1940 Park Heights Baptist Church Dennis Cliborn, Sr. 1941 Dixie Baptist Church Steven Trammell 1943 First Baptist Church of Lindale J. Denny Autrey 1943 First Baptist Church of Owentown Michael Ford 1945 Bethel Baptist Church Joe McArthur 1946 Sylvania Baptist Church Matthew F. McKellar 1947 County Line Baptist ChLrch Torn Pesnell 1948 Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church Ron Klingsick 1949 Friendly Baptist Church Dale Perry 1949 Hillcrest Baptist Church Seth Johnston 1949 Stagner Baptist Church Bennie Reed 1952 Harris Creek Baptist Church Roland Chamberlain 1953 Broadway Baptist Church Antonio Mangefeste (formerly Bailes) 1953 Fellowship Baptist Church Paul Phillips 1954 Southern Oaks Baptist Church Randal K. Potter 1954 Southside Baptist Church Jay Orr, Interim 1955 Green Acres Baptist Church David O. Dykes 1962 Byrd Lane Baptist Church F. L. Dozier 1962 Tyland Baptist Church M. David Compton 1965 Primera Iglesia David Tamez 1976 West Lake Baptist Church Robert Sexton 1978 Colonial Hills Baptist Church Robert F. Carter 1978 Gateway Baptist Church Tommy Payne 1978 The Carpenter's Cross (formerly Lake Palestine) 1984 Bullard Southern Baptist Church Mark S. Rounsaville 1985 Korean Mission of Green Acres Baptist Bong Hee Han Church 1987 Calvary Baptist Church of Overton William L. Baker 1987 Harvest Acres Baptist Church Jamon Thompson, Interim 1987 Holly Brook Baptist Church Larry G. Taylor 1989 Midway Baptist Church Larry F. Wickham 1990 Oakbrook Baptist Church Daniel Allen 1992 Grace Chapel Baptist Church Emmanuel Ward 1992 New Beginnings Baptist Church Michnel T. Wheeler 1992 SwinneAown Baptist Church Alvin Kellum 1994 Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church Donald Flinn 1995 New Generation Baptist Church Ernest Trice, Sr. 1996 East Lake Baptist Church Ken Goode 1996 Unity Baptist Church G. Rendy Dobbs 1997 Friendly Hispanic Ministry Erwin Babb 1997 Grace Chapel Hispanic Baptist Church 1997 Greater Beginnings Baptist Church Clarence Oliver 1997 Green Acres Hispanic Baptist Church Salvador (Speedy) Sanchez 1997 Pecan Village Baptist Chapel Stephen Ballard 1997 The Woods Baptist Church Charles 0. Dodson 1998 Church in the Wind of Lindale Robert Kimbrough 1998 Family Way Baptist Church L. M. McGee 1998 Higher Heights Baptist Church James F. Hawkins 1998 La Junta Cristiana Ken Dobbs 1998 Trinity West Baptist Church F. Charles Thomas 1998 Upper Room Baptist Church Fran Mosely Unk First Baptist Church of Golden Ed Lewis, Interim -------------------------------------------------------------------- THE STAFF SMITH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Paul L. Saylors, Executive Director Charles G. Dodson, Church Starter Nell Mayo, Financial Ministry Assistant Mary Ann Fielding, Executive Ministry Assistant Floyd Bradley, Central Zone Field Representative Norris Cash, North Zone Field Representative Joe Smith, South Zone Field Representative THE OFFICERS OF SMITH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Bennie Portwood, Moderator Seth Johnston, Vice-Moderator John Willianis, Treasurer Nell Mayo, Clerk FORMER DIRECTORS OF MISSIONS OF BAPTIST ASSOCIATION C J Youngblood T. Funderburk Carrell Hatchell Alton Patton Leo S. Rudd Tilson F. Maynard Kirby McGuire Rohert F. Jenkius CHAIRS OF MINISTRY TEAMS OF SMITH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Charles Harrell, Administrative Ministry Team Clifford Walker, Church Ministries Team Ken Dobbs, Community Missions Ministry Team David Compton, Evangelism Ministry Team Sue Sexton, Fellowship Ministry Team James Hampton, Global Missions Ministry Team DIRECTORS OF SMITH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS Mark Jones, Baptist Student Ministry Director Pat Vickery, Timberline Baptist Encampment Director Mona Smith, Associational WMU Director