FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
PERRY, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY – 1893
On September 16, 1893, history was made by the Cherokee Strip Land Run. It was the largest race in history, with more than 115,000 people racing for 40,000 available claims. The homesteader’s “Big Race” began on that Saturday at twelve o’clock noon, with a shotgun blast. Perry at that time was a one-story building, known as the United States Land Office, with some eight or ten officials, and a Company of Soldiers. By six o’clock that evening, Perry was a city of fifteen thousand noisy people, seeking their reward.
It was the best of times and the worst of times, making it hard to know if they had made the best decisions, to come. Some had staked the claim they wished for, others were disappointed and had to make other plans. Too many settlers and not enough land! Many lost their claims due to cheating, circumstances, and even murder. Some were sold for profit, others stolen by lies told.
One hundred years later, if possible, they would say, “Yes, I would do it all again.” To be a maker of history, to watch the Oklahoma Territory become a State in this United States of America, in 1907. Still they paid a price of courage and determination to plant their roots deep in Oklahoma soil. Though they were courageous and of sturdy stock, they left behind family, friends, familiar places, and much more than they realized at the time.
There were those that brought their living faith, to be expressed with thanksgiving to their Almighty God. They would continue to serve their maker by building a house of worship and service. Regardless of the conditions on the first Sunday, the 17th, no doubt some made expressions of gratefulness, for a safe arrival, a claim, and a day of rest. With nothing stabilized, and the dust and dirt still in their throats and nostrils, it was still time to pause and bow in praise and submission.
The first Baptist meeting was on October 8, 1893, in Banks and Wades furniture store on 6th Street between “C” and “D” Streets. Two Baptist ministers were present, a Reverend J.M. Berry of Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory and T.R. Bozeman of Texas, and each gave a short message. At the close, all were to remain to make arrangements for future services. They met the next evening. It was decided to have two Sunday services at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., plus a Wednesday meeting at 7:30 p.m. Rev. T.R. Bozeman, was made chairman, and Jno E. Shanafelt was to be the first clerk. On motion, the clerk was instructed to purchase a Church Record Book. On motion, the clerk was ordered to “spread” these minutes upon the Church Record. (These very records are taken from that first record book.) The first official minutes were dated October 8, 1893.
On October 15, 1893, after services, it was decided to organize a church as soon as possible, after a sufficient number of church letters were procured. Thirteen signed this motion in acceptance, J.M. Berry was to be chairman of a committee of five, to find the Baptists and W.H. Thacker was named Treasurer. Meeting adjourned, with the next meeting the 18th at A.D. Hendrix Law Office on “D” Street, north side of the street.
It was decided to have a standing committee on “Ways and Means,” whose duty would be to devise means for increasing the Church Funds, and secure places to hold the winter meetings. A committee was chosen to secure suitable lots for a church building. An incomplete report of the canvass committee resulted in finding forty-eight Baptists and raising $100.00.
Sunday, December 17, 1893, services were held in the District Court Building on 6th between “D” and “E” Streets. Reverend S.J. Dyke, Missionary for Oklahoma Territory, preached a strong sermon, then he proceeded to organize the church. He read the eighteen articles of faith according to Pendleton’s Manuel, and gave the ways of being accepted by the church. The name of the Church will be “THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PERRY, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY.” Ten Charter members signed the Church Roll, and presented letters of faith.
January 14, 1894 it was voted to build the church on lots number 19 and 20 in block 44, at the corner of 7th and “F” Streets in the City of North Perry, paying the price of 225$, as agreed. (In the early minutes, each time a dollar figure was given, the dollar sign is printed back of the amount-not before as today- thus, 225$). Motion was made for two Deacons to be elected when they have qualified. First full time pastor was Rev. W.A. Simmons of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The new Baptist Church was dedicated on September 2, 1894. Reverend N.B. Rarrdon of Omaha, Nebraska preached the sermon. Missionary S.J. Dyke gave a short history of the fund raising, starting with the $500.00 donated by the Baptist Home Mission Board to the Perry Church to start their building. Included also was the donation of $1,000.00, by a preachers daughter of New York, for the first completed church in the Cherokee Strip. Along with the money was a bell for the belfry, and an organ to grace the Sanctuary. It was noted that the amount still owing on the church debt was $261.00. When the offering was received that morning, there was $249.00, but at the evening service, the rest was given, with one dollar to spare, being a total of $13.00. The congregation was dismissed with the doxology, “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.” All of the church services of the city united with the Baptists that day, this being the largest attendance ever held in Perry of a religious nature. The attendance being about six hundred people, the day had been a great blessing!
Activities of the church began on Tuesday, September 4, 1894. The first Cherokee Strip Baptist Association, later named “Perry Baptist Association,” as the area was too large, met at the new church. The ladies had decorated appropriately, and covered the new song books so they would wear well and stay clean. Country brethren were appointed to bring posts suitable for hitching post and arrange them conveniently around the church. The Treasurer was to pay the bills to the livery stable for entertaining the teams of visiting delegates, and to the delicatessen for the meals of the visitors. Twelve churches were present for the three day meeting of the association.
It was difficult times and money was scarce, so a financial plan for the church was adopted in September 1898. It provided for weekly payments into the church treasury, by every member as they had pledged. Deacons were to remind members when their pledge had not been met. For attendance, the clerk was empowered to write absentees, reminding them of their non-support. If it continued, they were asked for letters of dismissal because of lack of interest and dedication to the church. In regard to conduct-visits were made to them. For the sake of the church and its members, dedication, conduct, loyalty were expected.
In 1926, the first church was torn down and a basement was constructed on the same spot, and was used till the upper story could be built. The women were looking ahead. They had saved, and the Women’s Missionary Society was able to present a grand piano to the church, debt free, in 1930, for the soon-to-be new sanctuary.
The Fiftieth Birthday and dedication of the church was held May 14, 1944. A special drive had been voted on to make the final payment of $10,400.00. Being successful gave an extra joy for the big day. Dr. Andrew Potter, Executive Secretary of the Oklahoma Baptist Convention, delivered the sermon. Governor Robert S. Kerr gave the dedicatory address, and it was followed by a note burning ceremony. Holding the note was Mrs. J.H. Scott, oldest living member of the church, assisted by the pastor, James V. Gray. The lighted match was applied by J.H. Hendren, who had served loyally as Church Treasurer for over twenty years. The congregation now had an auditorium that seats three hundred, ten classrooms plus a kitchen.
An unusual addition to the business meeting, and added to the minutes, was brought by pastor Bill Campbell on August 11, 1954. It reads as follows: “The pastor observed that increased tithing and giving has reduced the necessity for special drives, and that we have had no special drives, other than revival offerings for two years. He urged prayer for and cooperation with the budget committee.”
In 1955 the church was able to acquire the property north of the church on Seventh Street, for more parking. Pastor John Meadows saw the need for redoing the front entrance for easier access. More new, less steep stairs replaced the others, and a new entrance on ground level. More landscaping was added on the south and east. In 1958, additional space was acquired north and west of the church.
In 1959, H.E. Alsup became pastor, and in a short time an educational building was being discussed. In November of 1959, a building committee was appointed, chaired by Joe Ripley with committee members, David Matthews, R.J. Chance, Dr. Charles Martin, Ruth Taber, Frank Brown, Glen Lacefield, Mallie Duncan, Wendell Cossey and Buddy Hollingsworth. After much work and meetings, the new two story was ready for use, and dedicated September 10, 1961. The second floor, not being departmentalized, was used for a large dining room with a full house being served, that day. The dedication sermon was brought by Joe L. Ingram, Executive Secretary of Oklahoma Baptist Convention. The afternoon message was given by John Meadows and the evening service by James V. Gray, both former pastors.
In the short time that Bobby E. Lee served as pastor, the basement was remodeled and the entire church was carpeted. He repaid his short pastorate of one year, by being interim pastor four times after he left in 1968, to become State Director of the Baptist Student Union.
The church celebrated its seventy-fifth birthday on December 15, 1968 with S.W. Keeton as the new pastor. It was rewarding to celebrate and relive all the accomplishments. It was dedicated to the charter members that remained faithful through all the hard times, Bill Campbell, John Meadows, and Bob Lee were the messengers. Included were faithful ministers, Ben Bland and Alton Webb, taking part. Old favorite hymns were sung, the roll call was read and all was closed with a pledge of faith.
In 1974, under leadership of Pastor Hollis R. Morris, the church completed the building of a new Falls Creek cabin. It has been a blessing to the church and was paid in full by June 1978.
Rick Forrester became pastor in 1977. Two years later the church became debt free as the educational building was paid in full. A note burning was handled by George Hall, Chairman of Deacons, Joe Ripley building chairman, and Rick Forrester, Pastor.
It was voted to build a new Sanctuary, August 15, 1979. The ground breaking was done by members with an antique plow, on the north side of the original church on November 11, 1979.
The building was to be three-phase project, that actually went continuously on through all phases, including three pastors having a part. It was begun with Rick Forrester, as pastor. A building committee was named with Roy Morris as chairman, and with members, Fred Kohman, George Hall, Georgia McQuain, Rex Humphrey, Dorothy Cockrum, Betty Habben, Harold Sorrell, Jerry Zemp, June Chambers, and Joe and Betty Ripley. After many meetings and decisions, the building began to take shape. In the midst of it all, Rick was called to a new field. Fred Selby became the pastor and took the reins of leadership in 1981.
Plans were to strive for a new sanctuary yet retain the church of the past. This was accomplished with the outside brick wall of the older church becoming the inside wall of a wide vestibule between. This provided space for fellowship coming and going, to show welcome and warmth to one another whether greeting or bidding goodbye.
One of the very old, beautiful stained glass windows had to be removed in the joining of the two buildings, and it became the focal point of the new baptistery. The other north windows reflect into the vestibule, giving a mixture of old and new. All stained glass windows are now protected by another glass in and out. The old sanctuary was redone into a new, larger fellowship hall and kitchen. A new nursery was built on the first floor giving more rooms for youngsters. An elevator was installed for easier access to the second floor. A new west entrance was added with a covered drive-through, this giving and east, west, and north entrance for all parking areas. The Dedication Day was April 26, 1981, in celebration and thanks.
Before all of the final stages were complete, the church had a change of pastors again. Rick Markham became the new pastor in 1983. The work continued to be totally completed. A new bus ministry was added with four buses and workers. Under Rick’s leadership an extra effort was made for growth. More work was done on parking areas and landscaping.
On July 16, 1989, the church became richer due to gaining nine senior saints from Ceres Baptist Church. Time has a way of causing change, and Ceres membership had become too small to go on. In disbandment, they brought their church covenant and joined our fellowship as a unit, to continue their faithful witness. The covenant now hangs in the “Memory Room” with the artifacts of the church’s beginning history. These first articles of the church are the pulpit, Bible, Pastor’s Chair, table and silver pitcher used for serving the Lord’s Supper, as well as the first pump organ given by the pastor’s daughter from New York. The painting over the baptistery, painted by Allen Wilson, along with paintings of the three churches by Mary Ann Sherrard.
In our membership, one lovely lady has been a member seventy-five years. She was baptized at age thirteen, and has remained faithful to her Lord to this day. Her service to the primary age children of the church was her delight for many years in Sunday School and training union. The longest continuous member in the church is Allien Adams Kruse, and she will celebrate her birthday with the church in September 1993.
Many names could be mentioned for dedicated service to this church for the Lord. But for the many years in office, these must be given, as treasurer J.H. Hendren and Bryan Hendren. As clerk, Edna McCracken Munger, plus Pansy Toone in the nursery. Rev. Ben Bland for his service in many areas after retirement of over fifty years as a minister. His wisdom and love for the church was priceless. Hazel Daylor (full time secretary), Barbara Conner (Assistant Secretary), and Illa Moore (Treasurer) have a good record going in their field.
Allen McHam became the Church’s thirtieth full time pastor in 1987. He has been preaching the Word and leading the membership for these five years, as our Lord directs. In October 1992, with the help of the Home Mission Board, a mission, Kaw Street Chapel, was begun.
The membership has grown from the first ten to the present total of 1392.
“May our 100th year be our best of Him”
By Betty L. Ripley
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