Church History.

The Gourd Springs Baptist Church was originally started in 1874 with twelve members. Pastor was Tom Hunt. This information was recorded in old Bible records.

On August 28, 1949, some of the original members met to discuss starting the church again. This meeting was held at the home of Mr. Ed Griffin.

The Church met in a Special Called Conference on March 5, 1951, for the Purpose of re-organization of the church. Rev. A. C. Atkinson was called as pastor. The following were elected to serve as deacons: L. A. Glover, Claude Haire, B. E. Lucas and James Griffen, clerk.

There were 27 original charter members. They were A. C. Atkinson, A. C. Atkinson, Jr., Mrs. Graddie Coe, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Glover, Mamie Godfrey, Ed and Christine Griffin, James and Doris Griffin, Woodrow and Mattie Griffin, Claude Haire, Leon Hales, Agnes Holder, Danny and Irene Holder, Blaine and Emily Lucas, Fred and Mary Lucas, Tommy and Mary McKinney, Ernest Taylor, Lewis and Viola West.

The first Sunday School was started on March 11, 1951. They met in an old farmhouse that is located on Overhills Road next to George Thomas' house.

Other historical happenings were:

• July 9, 1969 - church voted to build the parsonage.

• October 4, 1972 - church voted to borrow $45,000 to renovate the sanctuary and build the educational building.

• December 13, 1972 - church voted to purchase on and three quarter acres of land from Mr. Henry Bullard.

• October 10, 1973 - church voted to purchase nine pieces of pulpit furniture for $300.00

• October 9, 1974 - church voted to borrow $18,000 for the renovation of the church sanctuary.

• 1992 - Paved the church parking lot

• 1994 - Liberty Baptist Church donated church bus to Gourd Springs.

• 1994 - Fenced in Cemetery

• 1994 - Sanctuary pews refinished by church members.

• August 1995 - Began supporting Paul and Faye Jones as missionaries.

• February 1995 - Bus ministry began

• August 1995 - Pruchased Shuttle Bus

• December 1995 - Church voted to purchase new PA system

• December 1995 - Lottie Moon Offering Goal was $750, collected $810. Exceeded goal - Praise God!

• March 1996 - First Church Pictorial Directory.

• September 1996 - Voted to build new Fellowship Hall and purchase one acre of land in amount of $70,000. Also convert old fellowship hall to classrooms.

• October 1996 - Voted to adopt Awana Program.

• January 1997 - Awana Clubs began.

• April 26, 1997 - Dedication of New Fellowship Building to glory of God.

• June 11, 1997 - Gourd Springs Baptist Church became incorporated.

• November 1998 - Retired debt to Fellowship Building.

• April 1999 - Paved Cemetery Driveway.

• September 1999 - Purchased new 15-passenger van.

• December 1999 - Lottie Moon Goal $1,000, collected $1,061 to glory of God.

• January 2000 - Built handicap ramp to Sanctuary.

• August 2000 - Church completed new shelter

• October 2000 - Church voted to support Kevin Winemiller as missionary.

We praise our God and Father for all the accomplishments at GourdSprings Baptist Church and to him goes all the honor and glory. Amen

The following are the pastors who have served the church faithfully and the date they began service:

A. C. Atkinson, March 5, 1951

B. E. Lucas, September 16, 1952

George McKeithan, April 24, 1959

James Sams, 1965

Ernest Packer, January 8, 1969

Cecil Harkey, October 1, 1971

Ted Turner, 1979

David Bame, 1982

John Mullinax, April 22, 1984

Cecil Harkey, September 21, 1986

Wayne Schlink, October 10, 1993

Richard Dorman, June 1999

Wayne Schlink, January 29, 2001

 

Gourd Springs Baptist Church