Local church to celebrate 130th anniversary

First Baptist Church of Ben Wheeler

On August 19, 2007, the First Baptist Church of Ben Wheeler, Texas will have a day of celebration. The church has been a beacon of light to the surrounding community for 130 years.

Through the years, it has had a colorful path that started back on August 20, 1877 with 2 elders and 24 charter members. The church was first known as Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Christ. It met in the old Stanger School House in an area known then as Union Grove. At this time, the church was a member of the Saline Baptist Association.

The church moved to a plot owned by GW. Clough in No- vember of 1888. The name of the church changed to Beulah Baptist Church of Christ and became a member of the New Bethlehem Association.

In 1891, the church bought a piece of property in partnership with the Masonic Lodge. They shared a two-story building with the church using the bottom floor. This was when the church took on the name of the First Baptist Church of Ben Wheeler.

Then in 1928, the church bought out the Masonic Lodge and removed the top floor of the building, moved the bottom floor to a different spot on the property and added educational space. A new concrete block auditorium and baptistery was added to the front of this facility in 1949.

The church had growing pains in December of 1961. They decided to tear down the complete facility and start a new building from the ground up. While waiting for the new building to be completed, the church met in the auditorium of the Ben Wheeler School (there is no longer any school in Ben Wheeler). They held the first service in this new facility on August 12, 1962 and the building was finally dedicated on June 2, 1963.

With the growth of the community around it, the church was starting to feel the need to put plans in order for another expansion. Therefore, they started drawing up plans for a new auditorium in November of 1984. It was not until January of 1986 that they broke ground and started construction. On November 16, 1986, they held the first service in what is now the present sanctuary. The building was dedicated on August 16, 1987 at the 110-year anniversary celebration.

The church has expanded one more time since then. The new Family Life Center was dedicated August 20, 2000 at the 123-year anniversary. It is with this facility and the approximately 328 resident members, 6 elders/deacons and the 37th pastor Carlton Young along with his wife Rita, that the church has been able to provide the present needs of this community.

Carlton and Rita Young came to be the leaders of this congregation on December 4, 1994. Then on February 19, 2004, Ken Myers along with his wife Sue became the Minister of Music for the church. With a need of direction for the youth of the church, Matt Organ was selected as the Minister of Students on January 31, 2005..

Along with these leaders, the church is able to conduct the following ministries: Men's ministry that meets once a month, Women's ministry which meets for special events (i.e. Bible studies, speakers, etc.), Triple "L" senior ministry meeting the first Friday evening of each month, Angel Food ministry has a distribution of food once a month, Youth ministry which meets once a week and for special events, Awana ministry meets once a week during the school year, Clothes Closet ministry that provides clothes to those in need 2 days each month and Footsteps Walking Club ministry that is open to all walkers. There are plans in work to expand this list of ministries in the future to include some exciting things such as Mothers of Preschoolers, Mommy and Me and Mommies day out.

"We are so excited to be able to provide this community with the beacon of light that the Lord has provided us that we want to be sure everyone has the opportunity to participate in this glorious occasion. Our Family Bible Fellowship time starts at 9:45 AM and morning worship service will start at 10:55 AM. We will be having a Fellowship Meal (bring a covered dish) following the morning service and approx 1:30 PM a special celebration ceremony will start," said a church spokesperson.

The church is located at 5516 FM 858 in Ben Wheeler, Texas If you have questions concerning any of our ministries please call 903-833- 5508.