The Old Church … Dear to the Hearts of Many

It’s Beginnings and Growth – History

Little of the history of the Charleston Baptist Church is available, 1965 being the first recorded date of its existence as an organized church. From old newspaper clippings we learned that Parson Haywood was a Baptist pastor here from 1865 to 1875. However, Baptist revivals had been held here prior to that date and it is entirely possible that the church body was organized before then.

There was no church house in Charleston until 1866 when the old Wellington Presbyterian Church, located about five miles east of town was moved here. This church was used by all denominations as a house of worship until the present buildings were erected. Sunday School was held regularly here, with some members of each denomination teaching a class. Rev. E. B. Miller and Rev. Isom Melton held Baptist meetings in this church and Rev. Melton was a pastor of the Baptist congregation for a number of years. He held regular services in 1881 and 1882.

Rev. Joel D. Rice, father of Miss Sadie Rice, was pastor of this church for a longer period than any other man, preaching here at regular intervals for several years prior to 1888 and holding services on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 1888 to 1893. In 1903 he began holding services on the 3rd and 5th Sundays. With his family, Rev. Rice moved to Charleston from Cascilla in 1888.

In 1903 Rev. J. T. Graham served as pastor of the church for 6 or 8 months. Rev. Graham was also editor of the county paper.
Then came a young man to the pastorate, Rev. W. H. Carder, brother of Mrs. Will Duke of Teasdale and brother-n-law of Mr. John Sullivant. Rev. Carder was followed by Rev. W. Hosea Rockett, uncle of Rev. J. R. G. Hewlett. During his pastorate the membership reached 40 in number.

It was this little group of 40 who under the leadership of Rev. Rockett built the Baptist Church in which worship continued until the completion of the new structure. The old Wellington Church, which stood where Mr. Sam Baker’s home is, had been torn down in 1904 and services were held in the Courthouse until 1906 when that first building was complete and dedicated.

It was not easy for 40 people to raise the money to build a church. Mrs. Lucy Rice and Mrs. Harrelson remember well the ice cream suppers and oyster suppers given for that building fund. Mrs. Sue Houston was a faithful helper in these projects, though it was later that she became a member of the church. These older members remember Miss Mattie Laughlin especially for her faithful work at this time. Dr. and Mrs. Matthews gave the ground and before the building was completed, there were notes to be signed by members who were determined that there should be built a Baptist Church in Charleston. Mr. T. M. Harris, Mr. Dan McCarty Mr. John T. Neely and Mr. W. W. Sheley were deacons of the church at this time.

After the church was completed, Mrs. Mary Delap and her brother, Chester Sheley, were the first to be baptized in its baptistry.
Rev. Homer H. Webb took the pastorate after Rev. Rockett’s four-year ministry. Then came Rev. C. W. Stumph, during whose three years of service was built the east wing of the church. Rev. J. R. G. Hewlett succeeded Rev. Stumph and it was during his ministry (1914-1919) that the two-story addition was built.
Later pastors have been Rev. W. Bechett, 1919-1920; Rev. J. J. Mayfield, 1920-1923; Dr. R. A. Kimbrough, 1923-1931; Rev. A. B. Polsgrove, 1932-1936; Rev. Earl McElroy, 1935-1939; Rev. David T. Cranford, 1939-1946; with Rev. J. T. Tolar serving as a substitute pastor in 1944 while Rev. Cranford was in the Navy. Rev. Cranford resigned in 1946 to go to Indianola and Rev. Kermit Canterbury, called to the pastorate to succeed him.

After 32 years in the little white church on the corner, the membership of the church had increased many times that original group of 40. The building was showing the wear and tear of the years and it was crowded. There was not enough room for a departmentalized Sunday School with its classes for all ages. The need for a new church building was self-evident.

The building fund was begun in the latter part of Rev. McElroy’s ministry in 1938. It was continued in the ministry of Rev. David Cranford. Then came the war years with the difficulties a war brings. Nevertheless, the building fund continued to grow, slowly perhaps but steadily.

After the close of the war in 1945, it was decided that prices must be allowed to stabilize. The supply of building materials should be more plentiful before thinking about actual construction.

It was in 1949, in the ministry of Rev. Kermit Canterbury, when the feeling of “now is the time” laid hold on the hearts of many in the church. And plans began to be made. Architects were selected, plans drawn, and finally –the contract was let. Ground was broken April 19, 1950. Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Jones, having the longest membership of any of those present at this service, turned the first shovel of dirt.

Construction was begun immediately and the months passed by quickly. The first worship service was held in the auditorium of the new church on Easter Sunday, March 25, 1951. The educational building of the new church had 20 Sunday School rooms, the pastor’s office and a kitchen.

The new church building, doxology in brick and stone, presented a new challenge to its members –a challenge to live a little better, to serve a little better and love a little more the Savior in whose praise it was built.

Symbolism of Windows

The new Baptist Church is Gothic in structure. Its beautiful stained-glass windows not only give it added beauty, but they tell a story as well. Each is a memorial to someone whose life is finished.

As one approaches the entrance he sees a rose of Sharon in the door glasses, symbolic of Christ, the fairest of the fair. In the triple windows above the doorway one sees the Decalogue of the Ten Commandments and the Cross of Christ who lived perfectly under the law and paid the penalty of sin with death for all who would believe on him; between the two an open Bible with a lighted torch held aloft signifying Christ, the Word and the light of the world.

In the auditorium the windows, on the left speak of the Old Testament.

The Open Bible reminds us that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God…”

The Ark recalls the time when God save Noah and his family from the flood and speaks of salvation for all who will believe on His Son.
A Seven-Branch Candlestick is symbolic of the tabernacle and the indwelling presence of God.

Two Trumpets represent the Golden Age in Israel’s history and worship in the glorious temple of Solomon.

The Lamb resting on the Word of God, under the flag of the cross, signifies the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world, foreshadowing the Cross which was to fulfill all the prophecy and commandments of the Old Testament.

The Baptistry window depicts in painted and fired glass a scene of the River Jordan wherein Jesus was baptized at the beginning of His ministry on earth. Before this scene, in coming years, will be pictured many times the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus as souls that are won follow him in the ordinance of Baptism.
On the right side of the auditorium the windows are patterned from the pages of the New Testament.

Against an Olive Branch, an open Bible and on its pages the Greek letters Alpha and Omega call to mind the passage, “I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending.”
A sheaf of Wheat with the inscription, “I am the bread of life,” gives added meaning to the prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

The Grapevine and its inscription, “I am the vine and ye are the branches,” signifies the part of the believer in the ministry of Christ in the world.
A cross standing on a Rock which is buffeted by the waves speaks of Christ, the rock of ages, firm anchor in all the storms of life, and the eternal salvation provided by His blood shed on the cross.

A horizontal Cross, and Olive Branch and a Crown signify the eventual peace on earth through the risen and reigning Christ.

In 1953, Dr. Landrum Leavell became Pastor. Years later, he would be named President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Rev. Eugene Grubbs became Pastor in 1957; Rev. Tom Hall in 1959; and Rev. P.A. Michael came in 1960.

In the early 1960s, it became evident that the church was outgrowing its educational facilities and fellowship events were too large for the facilities too. Under the leadership of Pastor P.A. Michael, a Building Committee (consisting of W.F. Lambert, H.R. Breedlove, D.D. Bloodworth, Dr. M. E. Smith and Mae Neely) began to plan the next building phase. The new educational building consisted of adequate dedicated space for nursery; preschool; children; youth; a large Fellowship Hall with acoustical curtains providing additional adult classrooms; a nice kitchen and additional restrooms. A Parlor, a Prayer Room and new offices for the staff were also included.

Rev. Tom Draper became Pastor in 1964; Rev. Kenneth Miller in 1966; Rev. Kelly Dampeer in 1968 and Rev. Donald O’Quin became Pastor in 1973. Bro. Don holds the distinction as the longest tenured pastor in the history of FBC serving 18 years.

Rev. Tommy Clark became Pastor in 1990; Rev. Gary Adams in 1992; Rev. Grover Glenn III in 1997; Rev. Mark Vincent in 2001; Rev. James Beckley in 2004 and Rev. John M. Price became pastor in 2006 to 2017 which made him the second longest-tenured pastor with 12 years. Bro. Joe May became a bi-vocational Pastor in 2018 and became a fulltime Pastor in 2019.

Special recognition goes out to the many talented Music Ministers and Directors and instrumentalists although records have not been explored to mention them all as of this writing. During their times of service, the last two Music Directors went to join the Heavenly Choir. They were Jim Keyser and recently Karen Clements.
Special recognition goes out to the many other staff members who have always worked behind the scenes to make everything run efficiently. Again, records have not been explored to mention them all as of this writing but we certainly remember Church Secretaries, such as Norma Magee, Alice Selby, Cheryl Carpenter and our current secretary, Carol Shook.

God has blessed this church with Godly leaders, Deacons, teachers and mission minded servants thru its existence since 1881. May we be found faithful in the future as these have been in the past!

Recent renovations and additions included improved sanctuary lighting, improved exterior lighting, covered entrances, replacement of windows in the old educational building, an addition of a brick walkway in the design of a cross with names inscribed on the paver bricks thru donations by past and present members or their families. A flag pole with the American Flag and the Christian Flag are at the center of the Cross. The interior walls and work have been renovated in 75% of the buildings as of this publication. Protective coverings have been installed over all the stained-glass windows.

Short term future plans include graded entrance ramps and an expanded commercially equipped kitchen. The parsonage has undergone extensive repairs and renovation also.

All of this work has been done with one purpose in mind: to bring Glory to our God and to show the world around us our estimate of the worthiness of our God.