200 Celebration Planning Committee: (Back Row) Deborah Leach, Derrick Hughes, Donna Nichols, (Front Row) Bro. Larry Thomas, Jolene Bobo, Chris Crook, and Emily Crook
|
Auburn Baptist Church celebrated 200 years of worship on October 9, 2022. A special service was followed by a fellowship meal and live music. Historical items were on display in the Fellowship Hall.
|
200 years of worship
Auburn Baptist Church (ABC) was organized by Elder John Fite in 1822, before the village of Auburn came into existence. It is an off-spring of Smith Fork Baptist Church (established 5/17/1806) near Statesville in Wilson County, Named "Saunders Fork Baptist Church" with 94 charter members, Elder Fite became the first pastor and served for 8 years. In 1869, its name was changed to the "Auburn Baptist Church" and by that time, had moved from Sanders Fork location to present day property in Auburntown.
In 1872, at the close of the first 50 years, the church had weathered the strife of the Civil War and in 1862, sent out 22 church members to constitute Shiloh Baptist Church. A third church building was dedicated 9/1909. This structure was maintained until a new brick 3-story educational building was completed 11/1949. The old auditorium was torn down and the lumber used to construct a pastorium in 1952. The present-day sanctuary was completed 8/1959, with the first worship service held on 6/5/1960. The 150th Celebration of ABC's existence was held in 1972, and a church history compiled by Auburntown native Wenzola Robinson Kiger of Chattanooga. The 175th Celebration was held 10/19/1997.
The following is a chronicle of pastors and events obtained from the 1972 Auburn Baptist Church History, an interview with Winfred C. Gaither on 11/27/2008, and Donna Nichols documents and photographs
Floyd T. Carrol served as pastor from 1937 to 1940, when preaching services began each Sunday and prayer meeting on Wednesday night. In April 1941, the church was unanimous in calling Cannie W. Leonard. He served 5 years and met his wife Hesta Hawkins. In 1947, H.R. Anderson became pastor and served 3 years. Dewey B. Robinson was named pastor in 6/1951, and resigned in 1953. In 1954, the church called J. Wallace Owen who resigned 5/1957. Finis L. Fuller assumed pastor position 6/1957. until his resignation 7/1960. Kendreth Holt was pastor from 1960 to 1963. Kenneth Boster became pastor in 1963; however, he resigned after 6 months in 1964, to pastor a mega church. The same year, James Herman Sollie served as interim pastor for 4 months. He was a passionate and dynamic preacher who quoted long passages of scripture and poetry from memory. Milford Cox served briefly from 1965-1966, after which Kenneth Boster returned 6/1967 until 4/1969. Neil Jackson was interim pastor until 9/1970. During his service, the basement was designated as the "Fellowship Hall" and the original church bell that had been lying outside for 22 years was erected and housed in a bell tower designed by John Allen Leach. James Edward Mayfield was pastor from late 1970 to 1973. He began the tradition of singing "Happy Birthday to members during Sunday services, an annual Christmas pageant with nativity manger and shepherd's staffs, and a sound system was installed. Edward Wood served 1973 to 1976. Willard Thrasher served from 1976 to 1979, and helped charter the "Auburn Bible Institute." Oscar Trainer was interim pastor 7/1979 thru 12/1979, and again 12/1986 thru 6/1987. Robert Powers was pastor 1979 thru 1986. Tommy Presley served as pastor from 1987 to 1991. During his tenure, Bryan Murphy and Andy Nichols were killed on 6/28/1988, when the car in which they were riding home from a church baseball game in Smithville was year-ended by a drunk driver. Archie King was interim pastor from 8/1991 until 5/1992. His son. Claude B. King, was his assistant who co-authored the Bible study course, "Experiencing God: Knowing nd Doing the Will of God." Ric Lee was pastor 5/1992 to 1/2001. The church fellowship hall and kere remodeled and Children's Church established. In 1994, the first annual Family Candlelight So was initiated by Elaine Mingle. Jerry Osborne was voted interim pastor 3/2001, and called pastor 6/2002. The 1st Constitution and Bylaws of the church were adopted and approved 11/9/2005. Construction of a multi-purpose building was completed 11/2008, with release of Deed of Trust and debt free status on 6/23/2016. Jerry Osborne resigned effective 1/31/2017. Thurman Seber served as interim pastor until the church elected Larry Thomas as pastor on 4/9/2017. He and his wife Anita spent their early married lives in Auburntown and recently purchased a home in the community. On 9/4/2019, the Constitution and Bylaws were updated that designated the church body to be known as Auburn Baptist Church, Incorporated of Auburntown, TN located at 115 West Main Street. By Donna Nichols.
In 1872, at the close of the first 50 years, the church had weathered the strife of the Civil War and in 1862, sent out 22 church members to constitute Shiloh Baptist Church. A third church building was dedicated 9/1909. This structure was maintained until a new brick 3-story educational building was completed 11/1949. The old auditorium was torn down and the lumber used to construct a pastorium in 1952. The present-day sanctuary was completed 8/1959, with the first worship service held on 6/5/1960. The 150th Celebration of ABC's existence was held in 1972, and a church history compiled by Auburntown native Wenzola Robinson Kiger of Chattanooga. The 175th Celebration was held 10/19/1997.
The following is a chronicle of pastors and events obtained from the 1972 Auburn Baptist Church History, an interview with Winfred C. Gaither on 11/27/2008, and Donna Nichols documents and photographs
Floyd T. Carrol served as pastor from 1937 to 1940, when preaching services began each Sunday and prayer meeting on Wednesday night. In April 1941, the church was unanimous in calling Cannie W. Leonard. He served 5 years and met his wife Hesta Hawkins. In 1947, H.R. Anderson became pastor and served 3 years. Dewey B. Robinson was named pastor in 6/1951, and resigned in 1953. In 1954, the church called J. Wallace Owen who resigned 5/1957. Finis L. Fuller assumed pastor position 6/1957. until his resignation 7/1960. Kendreth Holt was pastor from 1960 to 1963. Kenneth Boster became pastor in 1963; however, he resigned after 6 months in 1964, to pastor a mega church. The same year, James Herman Sollie served as interim pastor for 4 months. He was a passionate and dynamic preacher who quoted long passages of scripture and poetry from memory. Milford Cox served briefly from 1965-1966, after which Kenneth Boster returned 6/1967 until 4/1969. Neil Jackson was interim pastor until 9/1970. During his service, the basement was designated as the "Fellowship Hall" and the original church bell that had been lying outside for 22 years was erected and housed in a bell tower designed by John Allen Leach. James Edward Mayfield was pastor from late 1970 to 1973. He began the tradition of singing "Happy Birthday to members during Sunday services, an annual Christmas pageant with nativity manger and shepherd's staffs, and a sound system was installed. Edward Wood served 1973 to 1976. Willard Thrasher served from 1976 to 1979, and helped charter the "Auburn Bible Institute." Oscar Trainer was interim pastor 7/1979 thru 12/1979, and again 12/1986 thru 6/1987. Robert Powers was pastor 1979 thru 1986. Tommy Presley served as pastor from 1987 to 1991. During his tenure, Bryan Murphy and Andy Nichols were killed on 6/28/1988, when the car in which they were riding home from a church baseball game in Smithville was year-ended by a drunk driver. Archie King was interim pastor from 8/1991 until 5/1992. His son. Claude B. King, was his assistant who co-authored the Bible study course, "Experiencing God: Knowing nd Doing the Will of God." Ric Lee was pastor 5/1992 to 1/2001. The church fellowship hall and kere remodeled and Children's Church established. In 1994, the first annual Family Candlelight So was initiated by Elaine Mingle. Jerry Osborne was voted interim pastor 3/2001, and called pastor 6/2002. The 1st Constitution and Bylaws of the church were adopted and approved 11/9/2005. Construction of a multi-purpose building was completed 11/2008, with release of Deed of Trust and debt free status on 6/23/2016. Jerry Osborne resigned effective 1/31/2017. Thurman Seber served as interim pastor until the church elected Larry Thomas as pastor on 4/9/2017. He and his wife Anita spent their early married lives in Auburntown and recently purchased a home in the community. On 9/4/2019, the Constitution and Bylaws were updated that designated the church body to be known as Auburn Baptist Church, Incorporated of Auburntown, TN located at 115 West Main Street. By Donna Nichols.
Copyright © 2022
