history | 1stbaptistkh

OUR HISTORY

In 1914, a strip of land along Red Bank Road, then named Yanonte Road, was purchased by members of the “Prayer Band” of the First Baptist Church of Kennedy Heights. This land was purchase from Mr. & Mrs. Williams Turner for $100, the deed conveying the property on which the church was located was presented to the church Trustees.

On this site, in a basement excavated, finished and covered with a roof, began the services of the First Baptist Church of Kennedy Heights. The church was originally organized in a house owned by Mr. and Mrs. George McCray on the site where the Gas & Electric Company Booster Station is now located on Red Bank Road. Members and friends of this community built “the Little White Church” by the side of the road. The original founding fathers are all now deceased, but their legacy continues through family members and friends.

According to the late Thelma Cheatham, there was a creek that ran in front of the little white church from the corner of Red Bank Road and Zinsle down what is now Earl S. Wagner Way. There were two pools of water; one at Red Bank Road and Zinsle and the other at the end of the creek, when it was time to baptize, the pool that had the most water in it was the one that was used. Members, who are presently living, can attest to the fact that a plank lay across the creek and was used to enter the church for services, particularly when the creek was swollen or iced over. These members also say they will never forget their baptism in the pools of water in the creek that ran in front of the church.

Familiar ancestral names of McCray, Turner, Smith and Tolleferro, Wesley, Tilford, Montgomery, and Richardson filled various church leadership roles as Trustees, Deacons and the Superintendent of Sunday School. From 1914 until the present day many Men of God have served our church.

Ministers who have served as Pastors and Shepherds include:

Pastor Charles Coleman
Pastor John A Cornelison
Pastor Donald Watson
Pastor Ruben Turner
Pastor C.E. Wagner, Sr.
Pastor W.J. Anderson
Pastor Earl S. Wagner
Pastor W.J. Anderson
Pastor Thomas H. Ferrell, Jr.
Pastor Robert W. Harper

There are so many names, families, history, and heritage to reminisce about.

Our founding fathers would remind us to read the book of Philippians 2: 1-2 where it reads: So if there is an encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, and participation in Spirt, any affection and sympathy, complete My joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind