The History of First Baptist Church of Billings

The City of Billings is situated in a fertile region of Christian Co Bly sea chase. In 1871 the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway extended its line to Billings. John Billings (Frisco official) gave money for the erection of a Union Church. The community was thankful for this gift and adopted the mame thession. Billings was incorporated as a village in 1884 and became a fourth class city

There were five churches in existence in 1871 but they did not have a church home. Mr. Billings’ contribution of land and a thousand dollars were used to build a church and community building. Six trustees were named to manage the building one from each of the five congregations and one extra. Denominations included were Catholic, Baptist, Christian, Methodist, German Evangelical, German Methodist, Lutheran and later Assembly of God.

In June 1873, a group of ten to twelve gathered and organized the First Baptist Church of Billings, Missouri. Charter members included Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Lampkin, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J.

Garoutte, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Perkins and William French, other names not available. These first members were allowed to use the Union Church building as a place of worship. They alternated in Sunday services with the Methodist, Congregationalists, and German Lutheran congregations until they had resources to build their own church.

At the annual meeting of the Greene County Baptist Association on October 14, 1883, the First Baptist Church of Billings was represented by M. Y. Johnson and W. T. Lampkin who presented a letter asking for membership in the association. The request was approved. The church had a total membership of sixty-two at this time.

During the summer of 1889, a revival meeting was held by Elder J. F. Williams, Greene County Baptist Association Missionary. Thirty-three were saved and joined the church. The church called Elder Williams to become the pastor. He accepted the call and preached one Sunday each month with a salary of $150 per year.

The church met in called session May 14, 1890, for the purpose of considering the advisability of building a house of worship. Afer reading a portion of the Scriptures and prayer by Brother J. F.

Williams, the meeting was called to order. The church voted to build a house in the town of Billings.

On motion, Brothers William French, W. C. Gardner and W. T. Lamkin were appointed as a building committee with power to select site, superintend the work and do what in their judgment they thought best to forward the work.

THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH

The New 30×45 foot x 14 feet high building was dedicated on November 30, 1890, at the cost of about $2,200 with a seating capacity of 400. Now there would be Worship Services two Sundays a month. In May of 1894, there were 180 members.

 

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Tragedy struck on Saturday moming October 9, 1915, when the church building was destroyed by fire. In order to continue their worship and Bible study, they rented and repaired the old Congregational Church building.

This didn’t hold them back. A new building committee soon formed with Earnest Garbee as chairman and other members were J, R. Garbee, A. R. Selby, Will Johnson and A. O. Aton. The new brick building was dedicated in Spring of 1917. On September 12, 1920 the church voted to go to worship every Sunday.

On January 14, 1920 the church ordered a new Number 36 Steel Alloy Church Bell from The C.

S. Bell Co, in Hillsboro, Ohio. It was delivered on the main line of the Frisco Railroad. The cast of the bell was $93.50.

A ten year growth in membership started in 1929 during the pastorate of John R. Toppass. By 1939, the church membership total was 203.

During the period of 1915 to 1952, the Church Clerk and Treasurer’s records were lost or destroyed by fire. This left a large gap in available records for the history of the church.

In May 1942 the church joined the Christian County Baptist Association after being a member of the Greene County Baptist Association since 1883.

In November 1946 the deacons recommended that a financial program be launched to start a building fund so that adequate facilities would be available for the church’s educational program. The education wing onto the back of the sanctuary was completed in 1952 under the supervision of

W. I. McGichee. The size was about 32 x 44 feet. By 1959 the membership total was 244.

On June 10, 1973, the church celebrated its 100* anniversary with Brother John Toppass and Brother Raymond Lewis speaking. Those on the centennial committee were: Clella Amsier, Hazel Brown, Barbara House, Bruce McCroskey and Rev.Claude Brown.

On November 19, 1975, the church purchased and had installed a “New Life Baptistry”.

Up to this time, baptisms were usually done in Terrill Creek nearby.

It was voted on December 21, 1977, to restore the old cast iron bell that was in the old church when it burned in 1915. The Bell Memorial was completed on April 18, 1979 using bricks made of Carthage stone and engraved with family names who donated toward the memorial.

A 4x4x8 foot redwood cross was mounted on top of the church steeple January 21, 1981. The basketball court was completed August 19, 1981. Funds were collected by the women of the church to purchase stained glass for all of the sanctuary windows. The windows were completed in 1981 at a cost of $1,255. Air conditioning was installed in the education area in 1981.

On September 28,1911, the church hosted the Greene County Baptist Association’s Annual Meeting and served dinner to the large group

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The History of First Baptist Church of Billings

The church was incorporated as a not for profit corporation on June 2, 1978 in the state of Missouri. The name of the corporation is: First Baptist Church of Billings, Ine. The first Board of Directors was: Jerry Gearing, Darrell Rohlman, Bill Cain, Mary Falk and John W. Padgett.

The church stepped out in faith when they voted to become the mother church of the North Nixa Mission on February 18, 1986. The mission was under the supervision of First Baptist Church of Billings. Bob Schneider was voted as associate pastor for the mission in May 1986. Billings church deeded nine acres to North Nixa Baptist Church.on July 15, 1987. The trustees of this new church signed for note and were responsible for payments. The Billings WMU sent food with four helpers to the North Nixa Mission for the church builders as they raised a new building. In October 1987 there were 200 present when the mission became the North Nixa Baptist Church.

The church began a Children’s Church in January of 1997 for ages 3 through the third grade.

The committee for the 125th Home Coming Anniversary on June 28, 1998 was: Anna House, Barbara Ebert, Hazel Brown, Rayetta Brashers and Rev. Tim Blankenship.

Bill Zoller made and donated a leaded stained glass cross for the outside of church in memory of his wife’s parents who attended First Baptist. On September 17, 2003 it was voted to remove two large trees in front of church area and pour a new six foot wide sidewalk.

A large generator for the whole church was purchased. Darrell Rohlman rewiredthe three sump pumps and the new generator. A restroom was added at the back of the sanctuary on August 2008

making it handicap accessible. A new flag pole was installed February 18, 2009. On August 19, 2009

Ann Lloyd started painting the beautiful mural behind the baptistry. Two new front doors made of Alder wood were installed in February 2010 at the entrance of the sanctuary.

Due to the expense of upkeep, it was voted on November 16, 2011 to sell the parsonage through Southwest Realty. It sold March 26, 2012 for $65,289.12 to a couple and the proceeds were put in a building fund. This property was later purchased by Casey’s who tore down the house and build a convenience store fronting on highway 60.

Sunday School average was 30 and worship attendance was 48 in August 2015.

The need for an activities building was discussed on March 18,2015. A committee was selected: James Stone (chairman), Marilyn Elbert, Mickey Brown, Kenneth Henry, Foster Gillespie, Karl Elbert, Glynn Anne Henry, Nicole Morris, Sherry Whitman and Asia Adair. They met with the architect Ross Williams on August 27,2015. A layout of a combined fellowship hall and classrooms was chosen in January 2016. The new addition began several years ago with a drawing and a dream of a long time Church Clerk, Foster Gillespie. Foster passed away in January of 2018 but saw the completion of his dream.

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A review report by William P. Brandt, CPA, stated: “The church is in the planning process for a building project to construct a new fellowship hall and kitchen area. As of December 31, 2015, the balance accumulated for the project was $103,031. Additional borrowing of funds is estimated to be needed to complete the project as desired.*

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 30, 2017 with James Stone (Chairman of Building Committee), Lee Adair (Chairman of Deacons), Pastor Bob Long and Mickey Brown (Chairman of Trustees).

“From Foster’s drawing, sprang contacts with a couple of volunteer groups from Mississippi (Tools of Ministry) and Alabama (Campers on Mission). At separate times during the summer months of 2017, the new building was framed, roofed and wired by these groups. One group from the Kansas City area heard of the building in progress and joined the efforts. (They routinely worked in disaster relief, were idle at the time and arrived to help). A married couple from a local church also volunteered their services. Through all their efforts, thousands of dollars were saved by the church in labor costs thus making the building possible.” (Written by Mickey Brown, Deacon).

The building was completed October 16, 2017. During construction the builders wrote scriptures on the studs underneath the sheet rock. They stayed in campers on our vacant lot and used electricity and water from Mickey Brown’s home. The ladies of the church served them meals in the basement of the church. This was quite an endeavor for everyone involved. On December 20, 2017 the church received a Certificate of Occupancy for the new building from the City of Billings.

A grand opening was held on Saturday, March 17, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A

Dedication Service was held on Sunday, March 18 at 10:45 a.m. in the new fellowship hall. Dr. Phillip Shuford, Tri-County Baptist Association Director of Missions, gave the morning message. Joann McGehee was the pianist and Kenneth Henry and The Misfits Band provided music. A meal was served at noon.

Two generous donations were received to remodel the sanctuary in July and August of 2019.

This involved removing paneling, squaring up walls, hanging sheet rock, new acoustical ceiling tile, redo the entry, add new lights, fans and paint whole area with total coming to $26,101. Worship was held in the fellowship hall during this extensive remodel until September 15. The new white walls allowed the stained glass windows to really stand out, amazing.

The church held a dinner for city employees, volunteers, and first responders in observance of

9-11 in 2019. It was well received with 75 attending and having a great time. Homemade slices of pie was the highlight of the meal.

It was voted to use the Joann McGehee Memorial to reupholster the twelve choir chairs to match the pew cushions.

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The Covid-19 Pandemic starting in March 2020 caused massive stay at home orders from federal, state and local authorities. The last worship service was March 15 and worship didn’t start back until May 10 with only 16 present, some wearing masks. Sunday School restarted on June 7 in the fellowship hall with everyone spaced apart at tables.

In July 2020 the church hired David Haberichter to build an awning between the fellowship hall and the church building at a cost of $1,240, and a basement ramp cover at a cost of $2,360.

In September 2020 the church didn’t do the 9-11 meal for city workers due to Covid-19, but made cookies and packaged for them. The nation wide death rate from Covid-19 totaled 258,172.

Almost every family was affected with the loss of a loved one. It affected church attendance but many mailed in their tithes and offerings and watched Pastor Bob Long’s message on FaceBook.

On September 10, 2021, the church was able to serve a 9-11 meal to the volunteers, and city workers with 60 or more attending. On October 6, 2021 Alicia Tyler and Peg Haralson became the Co-Worship Leaders for the church.

In September 2022 the church was short of ladies to do a meal so reverted back to baking cookies and putting on platters and delivered to the 9-11 employees of the city. The plan for 2023 is to have a 9-11 meal like we started with.

In October 2022 a generous donation paid Bridgeport Plumbing and Air to install a mold remidiation unit in the church classrooms and basement. The inspection didn’t find any black mold.

Pastor Bob Long announced his retirement on Novemer 27, 2022 effective at the end of December 2022 due to health issues.

The church had a float in the Billings Christmas Parade on December 10 with some of its members riding in a sea boat pulled by a pickup belonging to Bob and Kjersten Kenniston. The theme was “Hooked on Jesus”.

AN EXCITING DAY on December 27, 2022 when the church paid off the $146,000 loan on the new fellowship hall in five years. This was attained through several very generous monetary gifts.

study on The Remarkable Women of The Bible”

The church hired Rick Washam as the interim pastor on January 29, 2023. The ladies’ book

assisted by Judy Kirby for the event.

started again on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. This was followed by a Valentine’s luncheon at noon with all the trimmings. Barbara Menkel, teacher, was The Holy Spirit is working! On March 26, 2023, the church welcomed Bob and Kjersten Kenniston as church members.

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The church hosted the annual Community Easter Breakfast with the Methodist Church ladies bringing food items. At the worship service, the church welcomed Peggy Ruble as a member of our church on Easter Sunday, April 9.

After much searching through applications for a pastor, the Pastoral Committee chose to ask Rick Washam, who accepted along with his wife, Eda. On Sunday, April 16, 2023 they received 100% vote to be the paster and wife. They then joined the church as members

Praise the Lord when four more joined the church on April 23: Bobby and Karen Foster, Cindy Brundage and Matthew Brundage. That is a total of nine new members in a month. The Holy Spirit is at work at First Baptist Church of Billings!

This history was obtained from sending all the available minutes and records of the church to ensure the accuracy of dates and other data.

(Judy Kirby, Editor)