WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

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WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

by Rev. Shawn Allen

The Congregation of our church evidently began around 1924 when a group of believers started to hold Sunday School and church in a tent at the end of 4^th and 5^th streets, near the present flood levee. This was the site of a ballpark; Pineville’s first football games were played there. An all-night prayer meeting in Wallsend resulted in the purchases of a much-needed building.

The Historical Society Reports: West Pineville Baptist Church was organized March 8, 1936. An arm was extended from the First Baptist Church of Pineville. The location of the church is at Wallsend in West Pineville, KY. The Rev. H. M. Hall conducted a revival and brought about the organization of the church. The Rev. L. C. Kelly, Dr. J. M. Brooks, T. R. Ware, and messengers of the Pineville Church, with Rev. C. M. Brooks and Rev. W. T. Robbins, constituted a committee on organization. The Rev. N. H. Hall was elected first pastor and Mrs. Alonzo Peace was elected the first Clerk.

The mission-minded congregation at First Baptist Church wanted, “an independent body of believers in Wallsend”. The First Baptist Church of Pineville purchased the old Methodist Church building that was located at the corner of Tennessee Avenue and 5^th Street, and West Pineville Baptist Mission began.

(This building was originally a “UNION” church building. Everyone helped build it, and many denominations worshiped there.) Several folks from First Baptist came every Sunday to teach classes, play the piano and help the struggling new work; people such as Mrs. I. L. Hopkins, Mrs. Isabell, Mrs. Wilkerson and Mrs. Greynolds. Rev. C. M. Brooks preached occasionally at the mission. Then members didn’t know if they would have PREACHIN’ until Sunday arrived. Dr. Kelly (pastor of Pineville First Baptist and founder of Clear Creek Baptist School) would try to send a preacher every Sunday.

The mission was constituted into the WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH in either March or October 1936. The name “SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH” was suggested, but Rev. H. M. Hall said that he didn’t like being second in anything! Dr. Kelly had sent Brother Hall to preach for the congregation on a Sunday. He then felt led to hold a Revival meeting and then was led to become the 1^st pastor. After all the bills were paid each week, Brother Hall received the rest. He was from Baltimore, Maryland. During the Constitution ceremony, Pendleton’s Articles of Faith and the Church Covenenant were used. Dr. L. C. Kelly, Rev. H.M. Hall, Dr. J.M. Brooks, the First Baptist congregation and Rev. W. T. Robbins (who was moderator of the association and also Pastor of Wasito Baptist Church) constituted a Committee of Organization.

ACCORDING TO A “Mission Report of First Baptist Church” written by Dr. D.M. Aldrige, the First Baptist Church helped financially and spiritually on several different occasions. In the year 1948, when Dr. Wayne Dehoney was the pastor, we find the following:

1. “West Pineville, Dr. Wayne Dehoney preaching, two-week tent revival meeting.

2. Saw the land given for the new West Pineville Baptist Church Building.

3. Encouraged 34 people living in West Pineville, but having membership in First Baptist, to become key people in West Pineville Baptist Church.

4. Paid pastor’s salary of West Pineville Baptist Church for one year.

5. Gave $6,00.00 from First Baptist Church Educational Building Fund toward Church construction of West Pineville Baptist Church.”

And in the year 1950, when Rev. Charles Jolly was Pastor of First Baptist, we find this statement:

“THE CHURCH HAVE AN ADDITIONAL $2,000.00 FOR THE WORK ON WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH”.

Mrs. Alonzo Peace was the first church clerk and in 1936 she reported to the Bell County Baptist Association a total membership of 41, with 7 by baptism. In 1938, a membership of 50, with 5 by baptism was reported.

In 1946, a drive to “LOCATE SOMEWHERE OUT OF THE WATER” was started. One of the members, Mrs. Daisy Parsons, had a brother-in-law named Mr. Clarence Hill. Mrs. Hill donated the land were the new church building would be built. It seems that the rearing of the building was a community project as all of the labor was donated. Many worked for free but the chief contractor was Mr. Joe Williams. He also gave free labor. Creech Hardware and Lumber Co. donated many materials including a whole roof. Other business and professional people in the town contributed money to the project. Most of the construction was done in 1948-1950 under the leadership of Rev. Barney Hubbard, and Rev. F. O. Ponton. The first pews were hand-made by the members, and Dr. Wendal BeLew painted the first baptistery scene. Rev. Ponton was the first pastor to preach in the newly constructed building.

Mr. Hasten Rowland owned a house on the corner of 5^th Alabama Avenue; this home would eventually become the first parsonage for the church. The home was purchased for $8,000.000 and Mrs. Ethel Martin have the first 1,000.00. Others contributed so that “WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH” could have their own parsonage. This occurred in the early 1950’s. Rev. James P. Arnold and his family were the first to live in the parsonage. Later, this home was torn-down and a new parsonage was built on the same site and is still in use today. Again, many persons worked and contributed to this project. Many men were surprised on Wednesday night when they came to Prayer Meeting. Pastor Lewis Jennings had a short prayer and said, “Men, tonight we’re gonna put the roof on the parsonage before is rains!” (And they did) C. Richard Matthews donated the brick used to brick the parsonage. Honsel Biliter did all the plumbing for free, and Bobby Hendrickson hooked up all the electric at no cost to the church.

Missions bred missions, and at one time our church had two missions. One was located at Blanche, KY. Rev. Lloyd Swafford was one of its pastors. The mission was held in an old commissary building owned by “THE GUTHERIE COAL CO.” The rent was free. The other was at Flat Shoals, KY. Rev. Arnold Moon was its pastor and it was held in a block, one-room, school building.

Over the years many people have contributed much time, labor, money and items for the work of our church. We shall not attempt to name them all, but a few should be sufficient. Mrs. Carrie Peace; Emma, Jim, Hayes and Roy Page gave the pulpit furniture in memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.Y. Page. Several hymnals were bought in the memory of various persons and many other items were given in the memory of loved ones. One such gift was given in the memory of Charles Ward. It is impossible to list all the contributions given to the church. It is not our intentions to over look anyone, nor hurt anyone’s feelings. Since we lost all of our records in the flood of 1977, much of what we’ve written has been received by “word-of-mouth”. Please understand and accept our apology.

After the flood of 1977, Mrs. Helen Page financed a new sanctuary lighting system, the lowered ceiling, storm windows, and new furnace/air conditioning units. Her daughter gave our present piano in memory of her mother, Mrs. Rena France. The Church and Parsonage were completely devastated during 1977, when in April the whole city of Pineville was flooded. The water got approximately 6 feet high in the church’s auditorium. Rev. Rick Goodman was the pastor and the Church only missed having services for one Sunday! A work crew from Rev. Goodman’s home church in OKLAHOMA came for a week as they cleaned and remodeled. Several Clear Creek preachers and Church members also assisted. The present parsonage was damaged by fire in January 1986 but because of very good insurance, it was completely remodeled and is very beautiful.

In 1986 the church had 400 members and was pastured by Rev. Bruce Wilmoth. Mrs. Frances York was the church clerk and held the position for 29 years. The church raised $4,600.00 for the purchase of a “Porch-Lift”. ($1,000.00 came from Kentucky Baptist Direct Missions.) This unit will aid our handicapped and elderly by making it easier for them to enter and exit our building.

The deacons at that time were: Bobby Ray Hendrickson (Chairman), Honsel Biliter, Jack Ralston, D.C. Keel, Benis “Red” Venable, and Harry R. Peace. Charter members were: John Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Keel, Mrs. W.C. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Peace, Ms. Emma Page, Mrs. Amanda Matthews, Mrs. Laura Blackburn, Mrs. Dora Lester, Mr. and Mrs. Rowland Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Carson Keel, and Brother Lewis Pratt.

The WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHRUCH is a cooperating Southern Baptist (Missionary) Church, participating actively in Associational, Stat, Foreign and local missions. Eighteen percent of our annual income is used for these programs.

The future of WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH is committed into the hands of our Savior and the children of this generation. Therefore, we will strive together to: earnestly content for the faith (Jude 3)-------To educate our members (Matt. 28:20)----To reach the lost with the Gospel (Matt. 28:19-20)-------To promote all that is good (Gal. 6:10)-------To act as a restraining and enlightening force in the world (Matt. 5:13-16)-----To purify ourselves (Eph. 4:11-16)-------To glorify God (Rom. 15:6-7)-------And above all, “to look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:13)

The following is a list of our church pastor’s as taken from our Associational records. H.M. Hall 36-37; G.T. Hundley 38; M.H. Seymour 39; A. L. Smith 40; George Harris 41-42; B.F. Alley 43; W.M. Wells 44; John Valentine 45; Barney Hubbard 46-47-48; F.O. Ponton 49-50; J.F. McGill 51; Billy Poore 53; James P. Arnold 54-55; A.U. Aubercrombie and Fe. Mahon as interim pastors in 56; Jesse Buell 57-58; Arnold Moon 59-60; Cecil Fultz 61-62-63-64; James Holden 65-66-67; James O. Jackson 68-69; Robert Fitts 70 (Interim); Lewis Jennings 71-72-73-74-75; Robert Fitts 76 (Interim); Rick Goodman 77; Robert Fitts 78 (Interim); Jim Cox 79-80-81; Steve Ross 82; Robert Fitts and T. D. Hooker 83 (Interim pastors); Bruce Wilmoth 84-85-86.

Many of our pastors have been either students at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College or graduates from the school. Clear Creek has always been very helpful and accommodating to us and we thank them. On several occasions our pulpit has been filled by a Professor from the school who served as an interim pastor. Again we say, “Thanks”.

One of the things I learned in doing this research is that only two of the Deacons that was mentioned serving in 1986 is still with WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH today serving faithfully; Honsel Biliter and Benis “Red” Venable. Jack Ralston was also still serving WEST PINEVILLE but passed away August 14^th 2006. Rev. David Peters is now the pastor of WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH and the church is growing weekly, with new people coming through the doors wanting to learn more about Jesus Christ.

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Copy of Newspaper Article – Unknown Source

WEST PINEVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

In Harvey Fuson's, The History' of Bell County, striking entry is made concerning what would one day become West Pineville Baptist Church. Unfortunately, the entry is more of a statement of failure that one of success. It reads, "the First Baptist Church of Pineville started a church in Wallsend in 1903. However, the church did not do well, and it failed." Yet, with this brief statement we find the seed of desire being planted in the hearts of the people of this community that soon would succeed in giving birth to a newly established body of believers that would be known as West Pineville Baptist Church.

The congregation of the present West Pineville Baptist most likely began around 1924, when a group of believers started to hold Sunday School and worship services in a tent at the west end of Fourth and Fifth Streets in Wallsend. The site was near the present flood levee, but at that time was a ballpark where Pineville High's football games were first played. Knowing that they could not continue to meet in a tent, an all night prayer meeting was held. This resulted in the purchase of the first building for the church, The mission-minded congregation at First Baptist desired to see "an independent body of believers in Wallsend," so they purchased the old Methodist Church building, located at the comer of Tennessee A venue and Fifth Street, and donated it to the tent-meeting Wallsend congregation. With this the West Pineville Baptist Mission began. However, things were by no means easy for the struggling mission. Members of First Baptist came over every Sunday to teach classes, play the piano, and help with the work of the mission. Being without a pastor, the members of the Mission never knew if they would have "preachin" until Sunday arrived. But Dr. L.C. Kelly, pastor of Pineville First Baptist and founder of Clear Creek School, would always try to have the pulpit fined with a preacher every Sunday.

After 12 years as a mission, the Congregation was constituted as the West Pineville Baptist Church in 1936. The name “Second Baptist" was suggested, but Rev. H.M. Hall said that he didn't like being second in anything! Rev. Hall had been sent by Dr. Kelly 1o preach at the mission one Sunday. After preaching Rev. Hall felt led to hold a revival meeting, and thereafter stayed on to become the first pastor. During the "Constitution Ceremony," Pendleton's Articles of Faith and the Basic Church Covenant were adopted. 'Tile total membership at this time was reported as 41.

In 1946, a drive to "locate somewhere out of the water" was started. Mr., and Mrs. Clarence Hill donated the tract of land where the new church building would be built and is currently located. The "raising" of the building itself seemed to become a community project since all of the labor and a great amount of supplies were donated of businesses and people throughout the city of Pineville. Creech Hardware & Lumber Company donated many materials. including the entire roof. Other businesses and professional people in the community contributed money to the project Most of the construction was done in 1948-50. The first pews were hand made by the members. and the first baptistery scene was painted by Dr. Wendell Belew.

1n the early 1950's a house and property were donated to the church by Mr. Haston Rowland, This lot on the corner of Alabama Avenue and Fifth Street became the church's first parsonage. Later this building. was torn down and a new parsonage built on the same site, and is still in use today.

The April 1977 flood in Pineville was a time of major destruction for the entire community. The church building and the parsonage were completely devastated. The water reached a level of approximately six feet high in the auditorium. which is built seven feet from ground level. A work crew from the pastor's home church in Oklahoma spent a week in dean-up and remodeling. Several students from Clear Creek Baptist School and the members of the church family also volunteered their time and personal commitment to rebuilding the church building and parsonage. During the time of the flood and dean-up afterwards, the church only missed having services for one Sunday!

In 1986 the church experienced an eventful year as they began with raising $4,600 for the purchase of a "Porch-lift" elevator. The elevator has been of great assistance in helping the elderly and handicapped by making it easier for them to enter and exit the building. The year also saw the purchase of the church van, which has been used weekly to provide transportation for many people since that time. The events of this year Were culminated with the church observing their 50th Anniversary. The occasion was commemorated with a week long celebration of special singing and preaching.

The most recent developments in the life of the church have come in the area of renovation to the church's interior. In March 1993 new ceilings were installed in the Fellowship Hall and upstairs hallway. In May 1993 it fire in the Baptistery led to the replacement of the Baptistery and a remodeling of the front of the auditorium. All of the labor during the remodeling was done by the members of the church. Finally in August 1993, after raising over $2,OOO the church replaced all the carpet in the auditorium. The church is thankful that God is faithful to His word as it has seen in evidence "that God works all things together for His good to those who love God. to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28 NKJV). Although it has n0t always been easy ,this church continues! Even in adversity God can give birth to desires that He will ultimately use us for His glory. "To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen!" (Phil. 4:20 NKJV).

The West Pineville Baptist Church is a cooperating Southern Baptist (Missionary) Church, participating actively in associational. state, foreign, and local missions. The future of West Pineville Baptist Church is committed into the hands of Jesus Christ, our Living Lord and Savior and to the children of this generation. May God continue t0 bless His people and use them as messengers of the Good News to the people of this community and the world around us.