history

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
Nashville, Arkansas

OUR HISTORY

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    The Antioch Baptist Church was organized in 1862. The first pastor on record was Bro. E. Merrill, and the first clerk was Bro. J.S. Clark. The next pastor on record was Bro. J.J. Byers, who was elected in 1865. In 1866 Bro. J.B. Robins was elected pastor and Bro. J.S. Clark church clerk until 1868.
     In 1868, for unknown reasons, the church disbanded until 1874. In October of that year, a predbytery composed of Elder J.B. Robins, W.H. Gathright, and Deacons J.W. Smith of Zion Church, E. Green from the Nashville Church, and Miles Gathright from Pleasant Valley Church assisted in the reorganization of the church. Bro. W.C. Lewis was elected clerk pro-tem. The following were holding letters for the entering into the reorganization of the church: John M. Simpson, R.J. Compton, Nancy Compton, Peter Simpson, L.Y. Compton, Andrew Wilson, B.L. Clark, W.L. Compton, O.C. Compton, A.E. Myrick, Francis Craig, J.S. Clark, Nancy Alexander, John Myrick, and Mary Myrick. The church adopted the Articles of the old church. Elder W.H. Gathright was elected pastor and Bro. J.S. Clark was elected church clerk.
     In 1892, Bro J.M. Copeland was elected pastor, in 1898 Bro. J.D. Rogers served the church; then from 1899 to 1922 Bro.L.M. Byers pastored the church. During Bro. Byer's work with the church, Bro. A.J. Cabiness and Bro. Seth Keeling were the first to be licensed and ordained to preach by the church. Later Bro. Jim Reeves was liberated by the church to preach.
     On February 17, 1900, the church was rebuilt at a cost of $214.00. (painting below)

From 1922 to 1924 Bro. James A. Turner pastored the church, followed by Bro. C.H. Tippitt, who served from 1924 to 1928. The church then recalled Bro. L.M. Byers who served from 1928 to 1929, his entire ministry at Antioch totaling approximately 25 years. Bro. C.H.Tippitt the served from 1930 to 1932. Bro. W.H. Stingley served from 1933 to 1937.
Bro. Carr Gathright was licensed during Bro. Stingley's ministry with the church. Also during this ministry in August 1934, Bro. Ellsworth Wortman was licensed to preach the gospel. Bro. Tippitt again served the church from 1937 to 1943, making a total of 10 years. Bro. Abner Reddin followed from 1943 to 1947, followed by Bro. Clyde Leslie from 1947 to 1950, followed by Bro. A.A. Masey from 1950 to 1952.
In the spring of 1951, the building which is now used as an educational building, was erected at a cost of $2,591.58. (Bro. E.C. Reeder and son, Jerry laid the tile). (photo below)

    After Bro. Webb's resignation in September 1978, Bro. Windred Baker was elected pastor in October 1978 and served until October 1981.
     At Homecoming services in June 1981, the present auditorium having been paid in full, a note burning was held.
     Bro. John David Webb was again called as pastor in November 1981 and assumed his duties on December 27, 1981. Bro. Webb served until Sepemter 5, 1987, making a total of approximately 13 1/2 years. On April 12, 1987, during Bro. webb's ministry, Bro. Harry Almand and Bro. Cecil Harris were ordained as Deacons.
     On March 23, 1988, Bro. Farrell W. White assumed the duties of pastor. Bro. White served untuil September 30, 1990. Bro. W.C. Malone began his partorate of the church on July 28, 1991 and served until October 29, 2000. During his ministry, on July 5, 1998, Bro. Danny Raulerson and Bro. Clyde Tollett were ordained as Deacons, and on June 23, 1999, the church voted to discontinue monthly nursing home services.
     In 1994, Bro. Burton and Sister Faye Hooker donated their home to the church to be used as a parsonage. A bathroom, a bedroom, and central heating/cooling was added. Later siding was added.
     From February 4, 2001, Bro. Harry Attebery served as interim pastor until he accepted the church as pastor on September 28, 2003. He served as pastor until his death on June 11, 2004.
      On June 16, 2004 our radio progam was discontinued for a while.

   Bro. Glen Cannon was called as pastor in 1965 and served the church until September 1968. Bro. Carroll Byers was called as full time pastor in december 1968 and served until October 1970. Bro. John David Webb was elected pastor on December 6, 1970 and served until September 1978.
     During Bro. Webb's pastorate, Bro. Zane Clark and Bro. Roger Arnold surrendered to preach. Bro. Zane was ordained to the gospel ministry on August 3, 1975 and Bro. Roger was ordained on July 9, 1978.
     On August 25, 1976 a contract to build a new auditorium was awarded to Mr. Van Elder. $45,000.00 was borrowed to complete the building. The present auditorium was completed in the spring of 1977 and Dedication Services were held April 3, 1977. (photo below)

     On September 19, 2004, Bro. Bobby Neal began serving as interim pastor of the church. On April 17, 2005, he was elected as pastor and continues to serve until now.
     On December 26, 2004, our radio broadcast was resumed with a thirty minute program. The Sunday morning message of the previous week is aired each Sunday morning.
     On July 26, 2006, Bro. Daniel Robinson made known his call to the ministry and was licensed on July 30, 2006.
     On October 18, 2006, the parsonage was sold.
     On April 16, 2008, the church voted to discontinue our annual Homecoming services and begin having an anniversary service every five years. The first anniversary service will be on the 150th anniversary of the church which will be in 2012.

In September 1951, the church voted to have half-time preaching. Bro. Van Elder pastored from 1953 to 1954. Three deacons were ordained in November 1954: Bro. Dee Tollett, Bro. Dewey Weems, and Bro. L.C. Odom. Bro. J.W. Shaw pastored the church from 1954 to 1958. Bro. O.B. Thompson the pastored from 1958 to 1960, when Bro. Larry Silvey was elected pastor.
In February 1961, the church voted to hold full-time services. In January 1962, Bro. Vernon Roberts surrended to preach and was licensed. Also during Bro. Silvey's ministry, the church began a weekly radio program and monthly nursing home services. Bro. Hubert Ekstrum served as pastor from 1964 to October 1965. In November 1964, Bro. Vernon Roberts was ordained.