Photo photo
Research Note Taken from the original hand written Church records by Lou Antle Pitts in 1981

In the spring of 1936, Brother J. A. Curtis, county missionary of Barry County Association, was sent by the missions board to conduct a series of revival services at the Okla Union Church.

After a very good revival, in which several souls were saved and Christians greatly revived, a small group of members from the surrounding Baptist Churches felt led by the Spirit of God to organize a Baptist church for the purpose of carrying forward Christ’s Kingdom Work in this community.

After having ministers and deacons from various churches of the association to meet with us, we met at the Okla Union Church on Sunday afternoon, April 26, 1936, and organized this church.

There were 20 charter members of this organization. These were: Mr. & Mrs. Dal Antle and daughter, Truma, Mr.& Mrs. Loyd England, Mr. & Mrs. Earl Antle, Mr. & Mrs. Orb Barnett and daughter, Marjorie, Mr. & Mrs. T. M. Post, Reverend & Mrs. Loren Lauderdale, Mr. & Mrs. Jess Higgs, Mr. Harve Higgs, Andy Higgs, Violet Higgs and William Reed.

Brother Curtis, as missionary of the county, was called to fill the position of pastor until such time the Church felt able to call another pastor. T. M. Post was elected clerk. The Church was then given the name of Solid Rock.

A few weeks later, a committee was appointed by the pastor to select a site for the erection of a church building, on which it stands today. On May 10th of the same year, the church site was cleared and preparations were made for the erection of the building.

On August 22, 1936, Brother W. A. Ireland was called as pastor. Further plans were made and work started on the building. Brother Ireland resigned in January of 1937, to go west with his family. By this time 13 new members had been added to the Church, which made a total membership of 33. Brother Curtis, then still acting missionary of Barry County Baptist Association, served as pastor from January until July 24, 1937, when Brother A.M. Eddie was called as pastor.

During this time plans had been made and worked out, and work had started on the building. The church was growing and much spirituality existed among it’s membership. The Okla Union Church was still being used as a place to hold services until such time when our new building would be so that we could have services in it. On December 23, 1937, the doors of the Okla Union Church were closed to us, and we were forced to give up, or provide another meeting place in which to worship. After much prayer and careful consideration, it was decided to go ahead with all our services. Services were held in various homes until the basement of the church was completed enough to be a suitable place to meet. Realizing we had a great task before us, the church as a group, were bound closer together and resolved with Gods help to strive harder and sacrifice more, for the erection of the building.

Though the basement was incomplete, the first service was held in May 1938. The following May, 1939, the first all day services and the observance of the Lord’s Supper was held in the auditorium of the new church. Even though it was incomplete, we felt with God's help, a great accomplishment had been achieved.

In July of 1939, Brother A.M. Eddie resigned to accept half‑time churches. During his two years as pastor, we had gained 6 new members.

Brother Charles Vanzandt was next called as pastor, and at this time we only had two deacons, those being Harve Higgs and Dal Antle. These deacons, having been charter members and growing elderly in years, asked the church to ordain three younger men to help carry the responsibility of the church. Jess Higgs, Loyd England and Tom Post were ordained as deacons on March 10, 1940.

The Barry County Baptist Association was entertained by the church in September of 1940, and our total membership at the close of that year was 42.

In August of 1940, Brother Eddie was again called as pastor for an indefinite time. Since the last call of Brother Abe as pastor, 22 new members had been added to the church. At this time, three of our members, Herald Higgs, Maurice Edwin Higgs and Andy Higgs were in service for our country.

On October 10, 1943, Jess Higgs was ordained as a minister of the gospel. At that time our church was completed and cleared of all encumbrance, at the approximate cost of $2000.00. But, we must consider the many men, women and children who worked long and hard without compensation, because of their love of God and to see His work go forward. God's house was finished. Now, we had tools with which to work for our Lord. Now, our work was just beginning, because the fields were white and ready to harvest!

On June 27, 1954, Vernie Francisco and Carl Kirk were ordained as deacons. Also, Jack England was ordained as deacon in June, 1970. One of our own, E. L. Burk, was ordained as minister of the gospel on January 11, 1976.

Surviving charter members are: Truma Antle, Juanita Antle, Loyd England, Effie England, Andy Higgs, Reverend & Mrs. Jess Higgs, Violet Higgs, Orb Barnett and Marjorie Barnett.

Pastors who filled the pulpit from 1936 are as follows: W. A. Ireland, A.M. Eddie, Charles Vandzant, A.M. Eddie, Eugene Edwards, Bland Duckett, Alvin Duckett, Tim Larkin, Junior Mattingly, F. R. Parker, Ellsworth Linebarger, Jess Higgs, Desmond Jones, Lawrence Henry. Desmond Jones, A.M. Eddie and E. L. Burk. From 20 charter members in 1936, our church has grown to 91.

As we look back, it was a struggle, but with Gods help we made it And, times now, we still feel we have to struggle, but one thing we know for sure, our Savior sits on the right hand of God, and He will not forsake us.

By Lou Antle Pitts, Church Clerk, 1981

Since 1981, and the writing of the above article, three additional pastors have filled the Solid Rock Church pulpit. They are: Ronnie Ridenhour, Bobbie Harrison and our present pastor, Steve Higgs.

Article from The Wheaton Echoes Centennial Book used with permission of Ralph and Betty Lamberson

Copyright 2007 by Wheaton Publishing Co.
Date Taken 2007
Resource Wheaton Echoes
Submitted by Story and Photo Submitted in 2009 By: Betty Lamberson - Deceased
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