Monett Times article dated September 16, 1955

FIRST CHURCH WAS FOUNDED IN MONETT IN 1888

Baptist History Shows Steady Progress Here
In September 1887, the Frisco railroad moved its division from Pierce City to a wheat field just east of the little village of Plymouth, which had eight houses. Immediately, the town of Monett began to grow, and as soon as houses were erected--some in the wheat field, others in the woods nearby, homes were established.

Realizing the need, four Baptist families living in Monett met in one of the homes and decided to organize a church. These families were Otterman, Peden, Bayless, and Howard.

Rev. J. C. Sills, missionary for the Barry County Association, which at that time included Newton, Lawrence, McDonald, Stone, and Barry Counties, came and preached a few times. On June 11, 1888, he organized a church with fourteen members.
The organization meeting was held in Westbay Hall, probably the first brick building erected in Monett, the site probably about where the J. C. Penney store now stands. Rev. Levi Allen was the first-called pastor, who served the remainder of that year. The church continued to hold its meetings in the hall until October, then they rented the Methodist church for one Sunday a month. The church in 1889 had 22 members and they joined the Barry County Baptist Association in that year.

A frame church building erected at the corner of Fourth and Dunn Streets in 1890 at a cost of $1800, was dedicated in 1896.
The church was incorporated in 1890 with J. H. Otterman as president of the board of trustees. Mr. Otterman held this position for 18 years, until his death in 1918. Hosea Peden was treasurer and W. N. Howard was secretary.

The Bible school was organized in March, 1890 with an enrollment of 95. Morris Bayless was the first superintendent, serving three years, and then Mr. Elder served one year. J. H. Otterman was superintendent for 18 years, missing only two Sundays in that time.

In 1912, when Rev. W. A. Todd was pastor, plans were made to build a modern brick structure to take the place of the old church which was made quite for the needs of a growing congregation. On July 11 of that year the church adopted plans and elected a building committee consisting of A. Bounous, J.C. Harvey, P.S. Pittman, Edwin Johnson, J. A. Campbell, and W. A. Todd. The new building was completed in 1913 and early in 1918 the debt was paid and later in the year dedication was held. W. A. Todd resigned his pastorate that fall and went to the U.S. Army as a chaplain.

Rev. C.F. Whitlock was elected pastor February 19, 1919 and served until February 1, 1923. Upon the resignation of Mr. Whitlock, Rev. Fred B. Kinell was elected pastor, remaining until 1931. Rev. J. T. Renfro followed him.

Rev. Leo Perry was unanimously called as pastor August 27, 1933. When he was called to the University Baptist Church of Tulsa, Rev. Howard Olive was called as pastor. In 1942, upon the resignation of Mr. Olive, Rev. C. Ford Duesner was called as pastor and remained until 1945. Rev. David Emery was called in 1945. Under his leadership, plans were made and completed for the building of the sanctuary. In 1954, Rev. W. J. Oldham was called as pastor in which capacity he is now serving.

Pastors who have served the church and the year in which each began his labors are as follows:

1888 Levi Allen
1889 Rev. J. F. Shrum
1891 Rev. N.C. Sowers
1892 Rev. J. F. Ford
1893 Rev. Burkholder
1896 Rev. J. L. Taylor
1899 Rev. J. M. White
1901 Rev. W. O. Dixon
1902 Rev. M. M. Smith
1905 Rev. G. S. Daugherty
1906 Rev. E. D. Maddox
1908 Rev. J. S. Allen
1911 Rev. W. A. Todd
1919 Rev. C.F. Whitlock
1923 Rev. Fred B. Kinell
1931 Rev. J. T. Renfro
1933 Rev. Leo Perry
1940 Rev. Howard Olive
1942 Rev. C. Ford Duesner
1945 Rev. David Emery
1954 Rev. W. J. Oldham
Submitted in 2007 by: Jay Trace
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