A 1965 Photo, from the April 11, 1965 60th year celebration of our church, includes Clyde Plunk, Pastor since May, 1961, on the right and Romaine McGuire on the left..
Some of the accounts of that significant celebration includes the following information;
In 1961, the church had built a new three bedroom brick parsonage at 317 South Cedar, at an approximate cost of $10,500. Much of the labor was donated by various members of the church. In 1965 the value of the parsonage was about $75,000.
In 1965, the Church membership was 456, with 308 enrolled in Sunday School, with 8 departments and 23 classes. The church budget was $16,935.
Mr and Mrs. Archie Brock were recognized, with a plaque, for their 50 years of service Anna Yenzer was recognized for her 55 years of church membership which dates back to 1910, when she was baptized in a tank on the south side of the old block church building, and she was baptized by Pastor C. W. Haskins. (He had served as the pastor during the '40's for a total of eight years).
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Waller were recognized for more than 30 years of service.
It was noted that the First Baptist Church of Crescent is a mission oriented church. A percentage of the annual budget goes to the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention and an additional percentage goes to the Central Baptist Association. There are several other missions that are supported by special offerings during the year.
Two area churches were established through missions started by Crescent First Baptist Church:
The Central Baptist Church, northwest of town, was organized in 1947. In 1965, the Central Baptist Church had a church membership of 81 with 62 enrolled in Sunday School and an average attendance of 55 reported in 1964. George Dannehl was the pastor. CLICK HERE TO SEE A SPECIAL CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH WEBPAGE.
In 1960, the First Baptist Church sponsored the Oak Valley Baptist Mission, located Southwest of Crescent. The mission held its first meeting on Easter Sunday in 1960 and met on the site of the old Oak alley School. In January of 1961, Oak Valley was organized as the Oak Valley Baptist Church with 39 charter members. The Church has 54 members and Harold Lofgen is the pastor. A new building was completed in 1965 and dedicated on March 7, 1965.
It is nearly impossible to know the number of conversions and baptisms reported by the Church for the past 60 years because the records are not very complete. Using what records that are available, the Church has baptized and received well over a thousand people into membership. Countless other lives have also been touched by the ministry of the Church during these sixty years. To reach people for Christ will always remain the supreme goal of the Church.
In 1976, under the leadership of Rev. Tim Moody, extensive remodeling was completed throughout our church building, with members of the church providing much of the labor. The project was supervised by Clifford Mapes.
Historical Church Photos
Oct. 28, 1979 Harvest Day 229 attendance in Sunday School
The pastor at that time was J. C. Jones -seen at left, first row, leaning on the organ.
