Churches and religious centers have been a part of American communities for centuries. Barnard is no different. Barnard’s First Baptist Church is celebrating 125 years as part of the Barnard community.
The current First Baptist Church building was dedicated on September 25, 1960. The building it replaced was built in 1901. The ground breaking ceremony for the current building was on November 1, 1959. Notable attendees were the Methodist Church Pastor Rev. Richard Near, Ione Hart, Morris Loy, Frances Clark, Wilber Wallace, Willard Hart, Frankie Matyas, Jack Simpson, Rev. J.H. Reynolds, and Rev. Ollie Odle. The congregation built the church using a $15,000 mortgage that was paid off in 19 months. The mortgage was burned on December 10, 1961 on the church’s 75th anniversary.
Pastor Dennis Finch is the current minister of the church. The thing he wants people to know is that the church doesn’t care where you go to church but the Barnard First Baptist Church is here to help. All you have to do is ask. Pastor finch has lived in many places such as Wichita, Oklahoma City, and Beloit. He currently serves two congregations; one in Simpson and the other here in Barnard. Pastor Finch is also a foster parent whose family has welcomed many children over the years.
Outreach is vital to the church’s survival. Remaining active in the community benefits both the church and the community. The church has sponsored mission trips, helps families with medical needs by contributing towards travel expenses for treatment, and awards scholarships. The church has also done a “souper bowl” Sunday for the past four years. On Super Bowl Sunday, the church delivers soup to homes. The church also has conducted nursing home services.
The First Baptist Church also collaborates with Barnard’s First Methodist Church throughout the year. Vacation Bible School brings in about 30 children during a week in the summer. Easter Sunrise Service is held with the Methodist church on the hill south of Barnard.
Music is very important to the church. Pastor Finch says that members of the congregation will sing for the church and the odd thing is that the older people sing the more contemporary songs and the younger people will sing the old spirituals and gospel songs. The church also has its own version of the Von Trapp Family Singers. Five generations of Watsons have belonged to the church and four generations have sung for the congregation. Vicki Watson Lebein said that Charlene would ask them to sing a song at any given time. Vicki said that she wasn’t a singer and that is why she learned to play the piano. Church was a natural outlet for their music.
The vision for the church is hard to define. The church is located in a declining community so planning for the future is difficult to do. Vacation Bible School used to bring in a couple hundred kids and last for two weeks now it is about 30 for a week, but the church still gets excited about it. Barnard is still a great community and the church wants to remain a positive influence within this community. The church feels that its role in the community is one of support. The hope is that the 125th Celebration is the springboard to the future. Though the congregation is considerably smaller than in its history, it is still an energized congregation that wants to continue being a part of the present and the future.
The church has not forgotten its past. There are still many things from the old church in the present building. As you walk through it, you can see the old pulpit and some of the old pews. A wonderful piece of history is the 1937 quilt that hangs in the sanctuary. Ione Hart contributed some memories of some of the people named on the quilt. Those memories have been written and framed below the quilt.
The First Baptist Church of Barnard will have its 125th celebration on October 9, 2011. Retired Pastor Ollie Odle will be returning to the pulpit to bring a message. Regional Pastor, Jerry Seabaugh will be attending to make a special presentation to the church to commemorate its longevity in the Barnard community. The service will be at 11 am and all are welcome. There will be a catered meal after for which you can RSVP by calling (785) 738-3520. In the afternoon there will be music and memories. After a light evening meal, gospel group, Brand New Day, will perform at 6:30 pm.
Regular Sunday services are at 11 am with Sunday school at 10 am. There is a prayer meeting on Wednesday nights at 7pm at the church.
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