How it all started...
The History of Ely Baptist Church
In the summer of 1946, Pastor Owen Sherrill led the First Baptist Church to set in order the movements that resulted in the beginning of a Sunday School. Brother W.P. Watson gave the church a lot on the corner of Ely and Church Streets. The First Baptist Church secured and erected a Quonset Hut that was used until 1976. Two couples, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Fowler and Mr. and Mrs. Brydon M. Ross, came from the First Baptist Church. There were 13 present for Sunday School the first Sunday. Brother W. M. Fowler became the first Sunday School Superintendent. The other three members taught classes.
The Quonset Hut was used for Sunday school and all other services until the first auditorium was constructed in 1947. The Training Union was organized in 1948 with Glenn Barnes as the first Director.
Brothers Elmer A. Headrick, Richard Sanders and J.A. Woods served as mission pastors. The work grew under their leadership. In 1953 the church was organized, and Brother Woods became the first pastor. There were 78 charter members. The first deacons were: Bill Baker, Bill Kellums, Ike Mungle, Glenn Barnes and T.R. Baker, who served as chairman. These deacons were ordained November 8, 1953.
On September 26, 1954 Brother Arnold Clayton was called as pastor and served until March 1957. Under the leadership of Brother Roden, work was begun on the present auditorium. The E.C. Robinson Lumber Company furnished the material and let the church pay for it at $100.00 per month. The new auditorium was 40 X 60 feet. The new building was dedicated January 20, 1957.
Brother A.C. Rudloff was called in November 1963 and began his ministry December 8, 1963. He served the church for 8 ½ years and resigned in March 1972. Under his leadership the church organizational work and finances were strengthened. Several improvements were added under his ministry. Five Sunday School rooms were added to the south side of the educational Building and the church’s first baptistery was installed. He also devised a constitution that the church approved. The church authorized the building committee to proceed with the construction of a new 40 X 100 sanctuary. A new church cabin was built at Camp McClanahan. The church grew spiritually and in number under his leadership.
The church called Brother Dale Rickman as pastor on June 5, 1983. During his tenure, the church experienced a great spiritual growth with many good things happening. With his leadership the church expanded its vision for the Kingdom’s work within the church field. Church attendance climbed monthly with new members being added. A bus ministry and several other new programs were started. Several improvements were made to the church building. In 1984 the church constitution was revised and approved. Brother Dale submitted his resignation as pastor August 3 1986.
Brother Bob Medlock assumed the pastorate October 1989. During his ministry the church reached new attendance averages. The Sunday School high average was 182 with church attendance 196. During this time there were 72 baptisms and 83 other additions by letter or statement. A College and Careers Class, Young Women’s and Young Men’s classes were started as well as the addition of classes in the preschool area. A sign promoting the church was erected at Ely Road and Independence (Hwy 25). One mile of Ely Road was adopted for trash pickup. Two wings were added on the east and west sides of the auditorium, increasing the seating capacity to around 400. A new 60’X 80’ activities building was built with a kitchen, basketball court, upstairs and downstairs storage area. With constant growth of the Kennett area and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Ely Baptist Church was one of the prime outreach arms of the Church for the Lord Jesus Christ. Brother Bob resigned due to health problems October 25, 1995.
In 2005 the church began to experience a difficult time of strife and discord. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of Bro. Jim Collins, the Lord was faithful to strengthen His Church and sustain for years to come.
The church has reorganized and has revised the constitution to be faithful in following the Scriptures and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In 2018 the church called Bro. Matthew Kamper and his family from Birmingham, Alabama to serve at Ely. Since then we have enjoyed getting to know him and his family and have seen many new faces and decisions for Christ in the interim! One thing is certain. God is not finished with Ely Baptist Church!
In the summer of 1946, Pastor Owen Sherrill led the First Baptist Church to set in order the movements that resulted in the beginning of a Sunday School. Brother W.P. Watson gave the church a lot on the corner of Ely and Church Streets. The First Baptist Church secured and erected a Quonset Hut that was used until 1976. Two couples, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Fowler and Mr. and Mrs. Brydon M. Ross, came from the First Baptist Church. There were 13 present for Sunday School the first Sunday. Brother W. M. Fowler became the first Sunday School Superintendent. The other three members taught classes.
The Quonset Hut was used for Sunday school and all other services until the first auditorium was constructed in 1947. The Training Union was organized in 1948 with Glenn Barnes as the first Director.
Brothers Elmer A. Headrick, Richard Sanders and J.A. Woods served as mission pastors. The work grew under their leadership. In 1953 the church was organized, and Brother Woods became the first pastor. There were 78 charter members. The first deacons were: Bill Baker, Bill Kellums, Ike Mungle, Glenn Barnes and T.R. Baker, who served as chairman. These deacons were ordained November 8, 1953.
On September 26, 1954 Brother Arnold Clayton was called as pastor and served until March 1957. Under the leadership of Brother Roden, work was begun on the present auditorium. The E.C. Robinson Lumber Company furnished the material and let the church pay for it at $100.00 per month. The new auditorium was 40 X 60 feet. The new building was dedicated January 20, 1957.
Brother A.C. Rudloff was called in November 1963 and began his ministry December 8, 1963. He served the church for 8 ½ years and resigned in March 1972. Under his leadership the church organizational work and finances were strengthened. Several improvements were added under his ministry. Five Sunday School rooms were added to the south side of the educational Building and the church’s first baptistery was installed. He also devised a constitution that the church approved. The church authorized the building committee to proceed with the construction of a new 40 X 100 sanctuary. A new church cabin was built at Camp McClanahan. The church grew spiritually and in number under his leadership.
The church called Brother Dale Rickman as pastor on June 5, 1983. During his tenure, the church experienced a great spiritual growth with many good things happening. With his leadership the church expanded its vision for the Kingdom’s work within the church field. Church attendance climbed monthly with new members being added. A bus ministry and several other new programs were started. Several improvements were made to the church building. In 1984 the church constitution was revised and approved. Brother Dale submitted his resignation as pastor August 3 1986.
Brother Bob Medlock assumed the pastorate October 1989. During his ministry the church reached new attendance averages. The Sunday School high average was 182 with church attendance 196. During this time there were 72 baptisms and 83 other additions by letter or statement. A College and Careers Class, Young Women’s and Young Men’s classes were started as well as the addition of classes in the preschool area. A sign promoting the church was erected at Ely Road and Independence (Hwy 25). One mile of Ely Road was adopted for trash pickup. Two wings were added on the east and west sides of the auditorium, increasing the seating capacity to around 400. A new 60’X 80’ activities building was built with a kitchen, basketball court, upstairs and downstairs storage area. With constant growth of the Kennett area and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Ely Baptist Church was one of the prime outreach arms of the Church for the Lord Jesus Christ. Brother Bob resigned due to health problems October 25, 1995.
In 2005 the church began to experience a difficult time of strife and discord. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of Bro. Jim Collins, the Lord was faithful to strengthen His Church and sustain for years to come.
The church has reorganized and has revised the constitution to be faithful in following the Scriptures and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In 2018 the church called Bro. Matthew Kamper and his family from Birmingham, Alabama to serve at Ely. Since then we have enjoyed getting to know him and his family and have seen many new faces and decisions for Christ in the interim! One thing is certain. God is not finished with Ely Baptist Church!
Expanding the vision...
Currently we at Ely our focused on the great commandment. To love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! With that commandment we also look to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. And with this love we hope to share it with the world so the world we become disciples of Jesus Christ.
Where we are headed...
The future is bright at Ely! We have seen many new families join the church and come to faith in Jesus Christ! We have also seen many new babies join our congregation in the last year (2019) and see more on the way... God is good to us and will be faithful to His bride! We anxiously await His return!
