Welcome to the 110Th Homecoming Of

Welcome to the 110th Homecoming of

Knights Baptist Church

September 16, 2012

Returning Pastor: Marcus Marshall

Special Music: Duncans

In Memory of Those Who Have

Gone on Before Us:

Bonnie Fulford

Nell Hubbard

Howard Smith

Carol Brantley

Mingo Ercoli

Goldie Ercoli

Robert Tucker

Peggy Campbell

We would like to express our feelings of thankfulness and appreciation for the men and women, who are waiting on the other side,that helped to make our church what it is today. Many of you reading this history will remember some of those people. Some of those who have gone on gave sacrificially through their treasures, time, and talents.

Today we would like to say “THANK YOU!” to those special people through the fond memories we have of them.

HISTORY OF KNIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH

Knights Missionary Baptist Church was organized January 19, 1902. The church building was completed August 22, 1903. The dedication sermon was led by Brother W.M. McDonald on September 27, 1902. The first pastor was Rev. J. W. Tucker of Kathleen. There were 12 charter members who first met in the schoolhouse until the church building was completed.

The two deacons were J. A. Wiggins and Carl Mallory. Sunday School was organized and held in the school a good while before the church was organized. Mr. Nat Hawthorne was the first superintendent.

In 1903 the value of the meetinghouse was $500.00, and expenses for the year were $60.00.

In 1911 the pastor was W.M. McDonald, who was a circuit preacher for about 45 years. He was simultaneously serving Hopewell Baptist, Turkey Creek Baptist, and Knights Baptist as pastor. His salary from Knights was $120 for the year, Hopewell paid him $250.00, and Turkey Creek paid him $120.00. That year the church gave $20.00 to the poor, $6.00 to Home Missions, $6 to Foreign Missions, $18.64 to the orphanage in Arcadia, and $8.66 to the aged institutions.

In 1913 the value of the church property was $1,125.00. $27.40 was given to Associational Missions, and Sunday School expenses for the year were $22.60.

The church minutes were lost prior to 1915. There is no record of the organization in detail or of the early years of the new church. In 1915 the B.Y.P.U. (now called Discipleship Training) was founded with Walter Yates as president and Preston Campbell as secretary-treasurer.

It seems that there was some objection to there being screens put on the windows. It was because the men could not spit out of the windows if they had screens. There was also objection to having a tin roof, so someone in the community donated the wood used for the shingles.

They never did find out who stole the kerosene lanterns and the brooms. Preaching services were held each first and third Sunday. Business meetings were held after the services. Baptisms were held at the Knights Creek, usually at 4:00 p.m. Pastor B.S. Gay resigned his post due to his wife’s serious illness. The church gave him a generous freewill offering of $10.42.

In 1916, 100 new songbooks were purchased for the amount of $15.00. In 1917 lights were purchased for $37.50 with the old lights being accepted as part payment for $7.50.

Copied from the minutes of June 2, 1918, was this about a revival meeting:

“Our protracted meeting began yesterday by our pastor. Bro. Todd came in today and began a series of far-reaching messages to all, and in his usual lovable manner he held his congregation’s close attention both day and night in admiration with God’s messages of love for hispeople. And though we received but two members by letter and

watchcare for baptism, we feel that much good has been done by the able sermons and sweet testimonies and prayers and sweet songs from time to time.And may the blessing of God be with his servants wherever they may be in their labors for his people. In conclusion, as is our custom, a freewill offering was taken up in appreciation of Bro. Todd’s services. $45.09 being collected, so closes our protractedmeeting.”

Revival meetings and Associational meetings were a close part of the church’s life. They were attended by many who used this time to visit with friends, since traveling far was not uncommon.

There were no services held in October and only one in November, then one more in December due to the epidemic of flu throughout the county. If the preacher became sick, the service was not held. Someone to fill the pulpit could not be easily obtained.

Minutes were written very eloquently as were obituaries. Copied from early obituaries were these:

“His master called him while on the field

With burnished sword and glittering shield.

He heard the voice from Heaven it came.

Though soft it spoke, it called his name.

His armor bright. By ______was made.

From morning light until evening shade.

Oh, trusty soldier, thy warfare cease.

Reign with God and rest in peace.”

“A precious one from us has gone,

A voice we loved is stilled.

A place is vacant in our church

Which never can be filled.

God in His wisdom has recalled

The one His love had given,

And though the body slumbers here,

The soul is safe in Heaven.”

The year 1919 proved to be a busy one. Bro. Denver Hawthorne was appointed to make the necessary disposition of old lights (which were sorry) and procure some suitable lights for our church. Later, the church organ was repaired. It was decided to purchase a piano, so a committee was appointed to look after the disposition of the organ, which sold for $35.00.

Being very Southern Baptist minded, as the church was and still is, Pastor S. C. Sloan attended quite a few Southern Baptist Conventions. Bro. Rogers and wife were sent to the Baptist World Alliance in Stockholm, February of 1923. During 1923

the church was kept busy with planning, financing, and the building of the Sunday School rooms which were back of the auditorium.

Local families took care of the church cleaning. There was strong support and work for the “75 Million Campaign.” It seems that in October of 1923 the treasury was down to practically nothing. It was noted in the minutes that Bro. Bostick visited and preached a very interesting sermon on our pledge to God, and at a very appropriate time. A few months later, $50.00 was given to Thonotosassa Church for assistance in their building program.

September of 1925, the selling of the church property was under consideration to move to another location. In December, the Southern Baptist Convention met in Tampa with Knights well represented. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions was $162.32. During the past decade, the church had been strong in support of Baptist, Foreign Missions, State Missions and Southern Baptists on the local level and association level.

Electricity at last came to the church. In July of 1926 the church voted to wire the church for electricity, and sold the old lights for $50.00. It was also decided to purchase a communion set with 36 glasses for use of the church. A resolution was written up condemning the opening and selling of merchandise on Sunday. As the years passed, the church and Sunday School rooms were painted and a rug was put in the church.

A protracted meeting was held with 14 additions to the church and 1,481 chapters being read by the congregation during the meeting. The Lord’s Supper was ended by singing “Amazing Grace.”

In February of 1932 there was a month-long campaign raising funds for the debt of the Children’s Home in Arcadia. Each fourth Sunday a mission message was to be brought by the pastor and a collection was to be given to the Cooperative Program.

The church kept growing. In March of 1933 the church purchased 100 new hymnbooks at the cost of $40.00. Racks were put on the benches for the new songbooks. Sunday School started at 10:15 a.m. instead of 10:30 a.m. Copies of the church covenant were given to each church member and a study of the covenant was held.

Always ready to help their fellow churches, March 1937 the church offering from this Sunday was given to help build the Youmans Baptist Church. The church was reroofed and there was a revival with Harry DeVane as the evangelist.

The summer of 1938 the grounds were improved with palms and plants. A new pastor was called at a salary of $40.00 a month, and to pay for his house rent, he was to care for a grove.

The year of 1939 proved to be a busy one with a community canvass being made, and after visiting many homes, it was found there was much work to be done. Chairs and tables were purchased for the Beginners and Primaries. Sunday School was almost rated A-1. Knights voted to cooperate in the Ministers Retirement Plan. And daily Bible reading was urged in B.Y.P.U.

In February of 1940 the church purchased fire insurance. Choir practice was to begin and new songbooks were purchased. People were very dedicated to the church and the cause of Christ in the community and were very prayerful so as not to bring reproach to either one. During the summer of 1941, the library was formed.

Through the years, the visiting evangelist was taken care of in the homes of church members. Dr. Williams was called as interim pastor on the condition that he use an authorized version of the New Testament instead of the “Williams Translation.” The church rolls were studied and a list of delinquent members was made. B.Y.P.U. study courses were taught regularly with good attendance.

The war brought a few changes during 1942. The names of all boys in service in the community were to be secured and regular correspondence with them from the church was to be carried on. A love offering was taken for war-torn countries. The church felt the need to limit its activities and study courses because of shortages of tires and gasoline. During the summer of this year, everyone possible was to come work and help clean and fix up the church grounds. The church work continued strong. There was strong support for our Southern Baptist work, Associational Missions and State Missions. Asbestos shingles were added to the church. The church donated $380.00 in support of the “Stetson” campaign. There were studies and sermons emphasizing soul winning.

In 1945, the church agreed to raise, over a period of time, $2,500.00 for the South Florida Baptist Hospital. Knights was represented at the organization of Northside Baptist Church during October of this year. April of 1946, the boys and girls in service were welcomed home by the church during special services and dinner at the church.

A general face lifting was done. The interior of the church was repainted, floors sanded, a baptistry curtain purchased. The church began to look forward to a recreation hall and building program. The Baptists and Methodists combined their efforts to prevent the sale of liquor from the city limits to Blackwater on Road 39 and 1,000 feet east and west of said road. The church continued with strong support and teaching of God’s word and was blessed in their efforts.

Homecoming services were held on June 27, 1948. The Men’s Class was to furnish bread, ice, build tables and see about seats. Junior and Primary classes were to donate what they could for plates, forks and spoons. The Intermediate Girls were to help get the church in order and see about flowers, etc. Intermediate Boys chipped the ice and saw that the older people had seats. The Young People’s Class helped furnish dinner and had charge of a youth rally in the afternoon. Everybody was asked to bring chicken and rice, then hams or anything else they cared to bring. October of that year brought a problem and the church premises had to be dusted for fleas.

Building a pastorium was considered in 1948. In March of 1949 a fund was set up for this purpose with $1,000.00 being set aside from the church treasury. The deacons decided they would each give $1.00 a week to the fund. The Baptist Bible Institute in Lakeland was supported at this time. The church also had been a supporter of the American Bible Society.

May 22, 1949, Leon Dame preached his first sermon at Knights. The church moved to recognize Leon’s call into the ministry and licensed him to preach. September 18, 1949, Leon Dame was ordained into the ministry, called for pastorate by the Berea Baptist Church. The Christmas offering was given to help build the chapel at the Florida Baptist Children’s Home.

A new well for the church was drilled in June 1950. The depth was 73 feet and at a cost of $82.80. The church bought a mimeographing machine and the church began the use of the printed program or bulletin. September of this same year, the pastorium was started and work was supervised by Bro. Billy Tomberlin. The lot of land joining on the south side of the church was given for this purpose by Alton Tatum. The residence was completed inside and out by the first of November for the new pastor, the Rev. Harold Bowe. The first radio ministry was started and the first church calendar was begun also.

In June 1951, the Sunday School rooms were built. This was the block building north of the church building. There was a homecoming and dedication service at this time. For some time it was considered leaving the South Florida Baptist Association and joining the Shiloh Baptist Association. This was eventually done in 1953.

Knights sent a letter of protest of our ambassador to the Vatican, to the President, congressman, representative and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. A typewriter was purchased. The front porch was added to the wooden building.

In June 1952, the church licensed Marion Seiver as a preacher of the gospel. He was ordained in October. Revival crusades had been popular for sometime now and financial and attendance support was given to the E. J. Daniels Crusade that was held in the summer.

The church celebrated its 50th Anniversary December 28, 1952. Bro. E. E. Earnest preached a special sermon for the occasion, and at the close of the service an offering was taken to start a special building fund for a new auditorium. This fund was started in honor of our only two living charter members, Mrs. Minnie Wilder and Mrs. Amanda Wiggins.

Work was carried on as was usual. Improvements were made to the church. Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Merrion observed their 70th Anniversary December 9, 1953. Special services were held in their honor and the day was called Merrion Day. In October of ‘56 a new piano was bought.

In March of 1954 Mingo Ercoli offered a strip of land west of the church property to Knights Griffin Road to be used for the new auditorium and educational building. The W.M.U. reported that 10 pairs of pajamas were made for Mr. and Mrs. Crenshaw who are working with the Seminole Indians. The Indian boys and girls will use them when they go to religious camps this summer.

Remember the pastor who had the habit of stomping his foot to emphasize a point, and one day the window behind Mrs. Minnie Wilder, who always sat in the “amen corner,” fell with a bang?

The W.M.U. has always sent money, clothes, etc., to a child at the Children’s Home in Lakeland. Projects go on throughout the years with the giving spirit of the Baptist Women (now called Women on Mission). They still have a child they help sponsor at the Children’s Home, they collect school supplies for the Children’s Home, they collect food items, clothing and toiletry supplies for the Campers on Mission who minister to the carnies at the Strawberry Festival each year, and had the VBS students participate in a mission project for the Children’s Home.

Revivals have been held each year, usually twice a year. Associational meetings, Homecomings, Christmas suppers are still an important part of our church’s life.

Remember the pump that was in the ladies TEL classroom and how noisy it was when it came on during the sermons? This was finally moved in April 1958. The carport and utility room was added to the pastorium at this time. Baptisms were held in the TEL classroom where the baptistry was in the floor. What a job to clean it out! Many a bucket of water has been carried and dumped out the back door from this baptistry.

As the church grew, new classes were added, old classes split. There were two women’s circles. The younger circle was called the Minnie Wilder Circle in honor of our last charter member.

In November of 1960, a Brotherhood was organized with 11 charter members. They were:

Bill WilderThurmon BryantPaul Tatum

Pete SearsJohn GrahamCharlie Fulford

Lonnie Glenn TatumJim McLinChester Estes, Pastor

Russell FulfordBob Martin

Spring and fall revivals continued as did missions giving. They gave $125 to the Home Demonstration Club towards the purchase of a community building.