The First Baptist Church of Amherst Celebrates 100 Year Anniversary

On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the First Baptist Church in Amherst, Texas, Joy Cantrell presented the welcome to the congregation.

Sue Ellen Priddy presented the history of the church: “One hundred years ago, March 23, 1924, marked the beginning of the First Baptist Church of Amherst. A small group of pioneers met in the one room schoolhouse located one block south of the present church site. They had come to this area when the famous Mashed-O Ranch divided part of its land to be sold to the public. They had come with the hope of starting a new life for themselves and their children. To do this, they realized a need for a placed to worship God, find Christian fellowship, and teach the Word. Thus, on that historic Sunday, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and the guidance of Area Missionary, L. W. Williamson, the First Baptist Church was organized by the following Charter Members: (the records are vague, but the list is as accurate as possible)Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Akers, Miss Carrie Akers, Miss Linnie Akers, Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Berry, Miss Hattie Berry, Alex Berry, Mrs. A.A. Blair, Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Elridge, Mrs. L. Ivie, Miss Carrie Ivie, Mr. & Mrs. W.L. Slaton, Astel Slaton,, W. B. Smith, Miss Audrey Smith, Mrs. Effie Veach, Mr. & Mrs. W. M. Webb, and Mr. & Mrs. Allen White.

Mr. J. W. Halsell, owner of the Mashed- O and founder of Amherst, knew that if a town is to grow and prosper. It must have schools and churches and therefore he made provisions in the town charter for these institutions. Thus, it was that only a short time after its organization, the church erected a building on the present property, a portion of which had been donated to the Halsell Land Co. And so was our beginning.

The church met in a one room school building on Main Street until the church built a stucco building In 1930 at 806 Adams Ave. and the old frame building was converted into a parsonage. The present facilities include the education building completed in 1949, the sanctuary completed in 1951, and the parsonage completed in 1957. Following a fire on May 6, 1972, the buildings were completely remodeled and redecorated. The First Baptist Church is still serving Amherst in the same location. In addition to these, a camp was built at Plains Baptist Assembly in 1952.

According to the oldest records available, J. H. Akers served as the first Sunday School Superintendent. Allen West was the first Church Clerk, and C. F. McCargo, the first Treasurer. Following these, layman have accepted the leadership of the church as the Scripture teaches. Through the years, they have filled the offices of the church as deacons, trustees, directors of the Sunday School and Training Union, teachers, committee members and other places of responsibility. Women have also played an important part in every phase of church life. It is not clear just when the first Women’s Missionary work began, but in 1931, Mrs. V. H. Jennings was approved by the church as W. M. U. President. There is no way to enumerate or evaluate what this organization has done to promote projects, sponsor auxiliaries for youth, and challenge the church to give to Missions. At one time, we had three active W. M. U. Circles.

Vacation Bible Schools and Church Camps have played a vital role in leading children to find Jesus as their personal Savior and to commit their lives to Him. The church has provided as much practical experience as possible by encouraging young people to help in Vacation Bible Schools in our community and the surrounding communities. It has joined with other churches in our Association to send groups to Idaho, South Dakota, the Rio Grande, and Mexico to do mission work.

Twenty- two pastors have served the church in its history of 100 years. They are: Reverand T.C. Miller, C. McSpadden, W.T. Priddy, J. E. Anderson, J. W. Hembree, G.M. Workman, W. A. Reed, John E. Evans, L.S. Jenkins, B.P. Harrison, John Cory, J. Henry Cox, John S. Rankin, Raymond Quick, Glenn Wilson, Larry Sanders, David Lance, Philip Way, Aaron Reed, Mike Butts, Dan Purdy and Harold Harrison. Since the retirement of Brother Harrison in January 2023, the church has been blessed with Godly men serving our church on a rotational basis: Mike Butts, Willis Blair, Gary Bigham, Weldon Doherty, Paul Anderson and Dale Burris.”

The noon meal was catered by Danny’s Fins and Hens of Lubbock. The afternoon worship activities included: Congregational singing, prayer led by Paul Anderson, “Sharing Memories” by the congregation, Special Music presented by Dixie Sanders, and the final speaker for the event was Larry Sanders.