Our History

transcripts from Our church ledger

April 1955

Four students from Belmont College asked Brother Harold Gregory for some work to do for the Lord. Brother Gregory sent them to College Grove to visit and see if any interest could be found. The students were John Carter, Ed Minor, Charlie and John Davis.

After visiting in some homes, they found some Baptist families and others interested in the Lord’s work. Brother Hawley Wilson, who was not a Baptist, but loved the Lord, asked for them to pray about meeting in his home.

After prayer meetings in several homes and a tent revival on the school’s grounds, a work for the Lord was started by a small group of Baptists.

The first Sunday School being July 24, 1955, at the roadside park in College Grove Period; with an attendance of eleven. Because there was not a building, Mr. Robert Davis asked us to meet in his yard. That afternoon Brother Charlie Davis and Mr. Robert Davis visited Mr. Marvin Scales to see if he could get the front of the old grainery to have a meeting place. He gave his permission, also donated materials to fix it up.

The building was completed in December and the Christmas program was the first service. We were without a sponsor during this time.

January 1956

In January 1956, Brother John Davis took a vote to see if we wanted Concord Association for a sponsor. Concord Association accepted us as a mission. Brother A.M. Nickerson came to help us organize our Sunday School training union. Concord was our sponsor until July 14, 1957, when Grandview Baptist Church was asked to sponsor us; they did.

In October of 1957, a lot was purchased by the mission to erect a building.

The lot was on Highway 31, south of College Grove. January 1, 1958, the lot was paid for, then plans were in the making for a building. Groundbreaking service was held June 22, 1958, with the following taking part: Brother Bill Taylor (Pastor of the Mission), Brother James Harris (Pastor of Grandview the mother church), Mr. Harry Parks, Brother Harold Gregory, and Mrs. Allie Ivery. The following week the work was started.

The building was completed and dedicated to God November 9, 1958.

Those on the program:

• Welcome – Brother James Harris, Pastor of Grandview

• Report on the work – Brother William Taylor, Pastor of the Mission

• Dedication Sermon – Brother Harold Gregory

• Dedication Prayer – A.M. Nickerson

• Thanks to people – Mr. Harry Parks, Chairman of the Missions Committee

October 1, 1961, there was a note burning service, as the note had been paid.

Those on the program:

• Welcome – Brother William Taylor, Pastor College Grove Chapel

• Devotion – Brother James Harris of Grandview

• Special Song – College Grove Choir

• Special Song – Grandview Choir

Note burning service:

Mr. Harry Parks, Mission Chairman of the mother church, Mr. Hawley Wilson (oldest member of the mission) holding the note. Mrs. Allie Ivery, representing the mission and lighting the fire.

July 1973

The College Grove Baptist Chapel organized into First Baptist of College Grove on July 15th, 1973, at 2:30 p.m., with forty-eight charter members, with R.W. Lashbrook as interim pastor. This information was documented by Mrs. Allie E. Ivery

This is how we became College Grove Baptist Church