Pastor Dennis

Dennis Finch, pastor at the Baptist church in Barnard, is having surgery on Monday the 13th.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Finches Relocate to Barnard

Dennis Finch and his family have moved into the parsonage of the Baptist church here in Barnard.  The Finches are not strangers to Barnard.  Dennis has been the pastor at the Baptist church for years but lived in Beloit while pastoring the churches here and in Simpson.

On an additional note...Dennis makes signs and other woodworking products.  An example of his handywork is in front of the Baptist church.  He also does general handyman work and is currently looking for workshop space.

Welcome to  Barnard!

Easter Morning at the First Baptist Church of Barnard

The members of the First Barnard Baptist Church are having a musical program called "The Wonders of Easter" this Sunday morning March 31,2013. Pastor Dennis Finch will offer the Welcome and Opening Prayer followed by Congregational singing. This will include vocal numbers by various members and groups from the congregation. The program was written and compiled by Chalene Watson; Pianist is Vicki Lebien and Organist is Carol Modrow. Roxie Pruitt will be doing the Narration and Scripture for the morning. We welcome everyone to come and join us as we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah He has Risen! -The members of the First Baptist Church.--Submitted by Charlene Watson.

Barnard UMC 130th Heartwarming Celebration

On Sunday September 9th, the Barnard First United Methodist Church was filled to overflowing for the special service that had been planned.  The Coover Boys and Pastor Jeff Metzler (The Kingdom Strings)started things off with some beautiful music, both traditional and contemporary.  Pastor Jeff joked that even when the Coover boys were 100 years old, they would still be the "Coover Boys."

Marlene Clark and Kay Jackson, the Barnard UMC pianists, made the instrument sing.  Sara Biggs played an inspiring tune, the instrumental "The Lord's Prayer."  The Clark Family Choir and the Kelly Family Choir sang beautifully.  The choir from the Barnard First Baptist Church sang "Have a Little Talk With Jesus."  All of the musical talent was exceptional. 

Pastors Kaye and Jeff Metzler gave a moving and thoughtful sermon and made everyone feel welcome.  After the service, many in attendance gathered at the Barnard Community Building for a noon meal and fellowship.

The service was recorded and barring any technical mess ups (by me), the video will be available from the church and the Barnard Banter in the near future.

Barnard Photo Postcards submitted by Judy Prater

Three miles west of Barnard in 1984.

Betty Loy's "Betty's Place."

East side of Main Street in 1984.

West side of Main Street in 1984.

First Baptist Church in Barnard.

First Methodist Church in Barnard.

The old community building.

Barnard post rock.

Barnard's Art Deco water tower.

Barnard Sunrise National Park Vacation Bible School

The collaborative 2012 Sunrise National Park Vacation Bible School was held from May 29-June 1, 2012.  The annual VBS summer program is a collaboration between the Barnard First Methodist Church and the Barnard First Baptist Church.  The VBS program was on Sunday, June 3rd at the Barnard Community Building. 

Pictures and program provided by Jan Dowlin.

First Baptist Church of Barnard Christmas Carolers December 21, 2011

The First Baptist Church of Barnard braved the 20 degree (F) temperature to spread Christmas Cheer to the town of Barnard.  They were caroling about the time I was photographing the Christmas lights so I was treated to the joyous sounds of the singers.  After singing, they gathered at the church for refreshments, conversation, and more singing.

I would like to express my gratitude to the First Baptist Church of Barnard.  All my experience with the church has been extremely positive and I've always felt welcome.

Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Events at the First Baptist Church of Barnard

The First Baptist Church will be having a Caroling party at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21. Anyone who would like to come and "sing along" is invited to join us. Cookies and hot chocolate will be furnished after we get back to the church.

The First Baptist Church will be having their yearly Christmas Program during the Sunday morning service on Christmas December 25. There will be lots of music during the services as we once again celebrate the story birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Everyone is invited to come join us.

Charlene Watson, Choir Director/Song Leader

Ella Dryden as I Remeber Her by Charlene Watson

Ella Dryden as I remember her

By Charlene Watson

Everyone in Barnard knows the story of how Ella and Jimmy Dryden met and fell in love as youngsters in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the early 1900's but were separated for many years after Jimmy emigrated to the United States. They both married and lived their own lives until many years later in 1966 when Jimmy came back to Scotland to visit after they had both lost their mates. Before he returned home, Jimmy asked Ella to marry him and come to the United States to live.

As Ella told it in her delightful Scottish burr, “I just hopped on a plane and arrived in Boston in February of 1968, wondering if I had done the right thing traveling all that way to marry Jimmy.” All her doubts were dispelled, however, when Jimmy and his family met her at the airport in Wichita and gave her a wonderful welcome. They were married in March fourteen days after she arrived here; and she became an American citizen in September of that same year.

I tell you all of this to explain how this delightful little white haired Scottish lady came to live in Barnard and become part of the First Baptist Church family.

 Jimmy had suffered many physical setbacks and was confined to a wheelchair by the time his daughter Lila and son-in-law George moved them to Milo and then later into Barnard. They enjoyed traveling and seeing the country for some time until Jim suffered a brain injury in a serious car wreck. He was no longer able to drive a car so this spunky little haired Scottish lady learned to drive a car for the first time in her life. She continued to care for him in their home. This was what everyone loved and admired about her; she didn't let anything keep her down.

  “After the wreck Jim was just like a child and I had many heartaches and tears but through it all, the Lord never failed me. I was given the strength to carry out my task of taking care of him,” Ella said. After his death in 1977, Ella returned to the little house in Barnard where she and Jim had spent their last years together.

Ella was very active in the First Baptist Church. She had been a professional seamstress in Scotland and loved to sew. She spent many hours working on quilts and other projects with the Missionary ladies.

Ella also sang in the choir and it was always a treat to hear her clear soprano voice ringing out with praise to her Lord. The whole congregation looked forward to the Sundays when she favored us with a solo, sung in her delightful soft Scottish burr.

  Everybody in town knew and loved Ella with her pure white hair and her constant infectious smile. She seemed to be able to overcome any obstacle but Ella shared the following thoughts with me one day. “Outwardly I carry on as usual, inside I am heart broken. I miss Jim so much but time is a great healer and as I go on the hurt is easing.”

When Ella died in 1992 at the age of 94, it left a big hole in the life of her family, her community, and her church. Somehow, I am sure the two childhood sweethearts are together again in heaven and the lilt of their Scottish voices can be heard sharing a joke or telling a story. Who knows, perhaps Jim is entertaining them all with a Scottish Highland Jig and Ella is sitting on a cloud nearby singing hymns to her precious Lord and sewing costumes for the Angels to wear. This is the way I will always remember Ella.

– (Charlene's Freelance Publications, Barnard, KS)

First Baptist Church of Barnard's 125th Celebration by Vicki Watson Lebien

            The First Baptist Church of Barnard celebrated its 125^th Anniversary Sunday, October 9 with a Homecoming Day.  The church was organized in December, 1886.  The congregation of eight members built the original church in 1901.  The present building was dedicated in 1960.

            The celebration began at 10 a.m. with coffee and cinnamon rolls made by Lenora Howe.  At 11:00, the church sanctuary was filled for the Morning Worship service.  Pastor Ollie Odle, Sr., Bedford, Iowa, brought the morning message.  Mr. Odle was First Baptist’s pastor from 1956-1962 and led the church in the construction of the new building.  During the morning service, Jerry Seabaugh, area Minister from the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region, presented Pastor Dennis Finch with a certificate to acknowledge the anniversary.  Thayla Webb Adams, Gainesville, Florida, was the returning member who had traveled the greatest distance.  The church’s oldest living member, Ione Hart, 91, was unable to attend because of health reasons.  Ouida Griffeth, Barnard, claimed the title of oldest present member, having been baptized in 1935.

Returning Pastor Ollie Odle. 

Pastor Dennis Finch receiving the Certificate for 125 years from Dr. Jerry Seabaugh, Associate Executive Minister of the American Baptist Church National Organization.

            A catered meal was enjoyed by over 100 members and friends at the Community Building.  Desserts were furnished by the church ladies.  After a time of re-acquaintance and visiting, everyone was back at the church for an afternoon of Music and Memories.  Former members, present members, and friends from the Methodist Church across the street supplied musical numbers and memories which were much enjoyed by all.

            After a light evening meal, the Gospel group, Brand New Day, from Hutchinson performed new and old time music to bring the day to an inspirational close.

Post Card From the Past--First Baptist Church of Barnard

Date is unknown and card is unused.  It is made by the M.L. Zercher Book and Stationary Co. in Topeka, KS which I believe became Zercher Photo later on.  I remember Zercher Photo well from when I was a child.

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First Baptist Church of Barnard: Celebrating 125 Years on October 9th

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