Carlisle Baptist Church

Used by Permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission

Submitted by: Gloria B. Mayfield

Coordinator: Dolores I. Bishop

  The founding of Carlisle Baptist Church centers around two men. Rev. A.F. Johnson, Baptist Evangelist of Texas and T.D. Carroll, Evangelist singer. On January 14,1934 these two brethren came to Carlisle and saw the great need of a Southern Baptist Church in this community. They were visiting in the home of Mr. And Mrs. L.R. Nichols, former members of Bro. Johnson’s church in Borger, Texas.

They had just closed a Revival near Kilgore, Texas. They began the foundation work with a short revival that was held in the Old Methodist Church. (We owe much to our Methodist friends who were so considerate in cooperating with us and letting us use their building.) The first night of the revival was on Thursday, January 25,1934. At the close of this meeting the Baptist were asked to remain and Bro. Johnson, as chairman, organized the Carlisle Baptist Church with 29 Charter Members. Bro. Leeroy Nichols was voted as church clerk and treasurer. On the following night 20 members were added by letter, bringing in the total to 49 members. At this meeting the church voted to call Rev. R. Alton Reed, he was unable to serve actively for about four weeks as pastor and Rev. Jesse N. Phillips of First Baptist Church, Henderson, agreed to supply until Bro. Reed could come on the field. At this time a Building Committee was appointed for the erection of a church building on the property donated by Mr. And Mrs. Alex Moores. This committee was composed of L.R. Nichols, G.A. Brown, Neal Barker and Herbert Burton. Later N.B. Moore and Roy Pickard were added. For the first four weeks services were held in the Old Methodist Church at three o’clock Sunday afternoon by Bro. Phillips. Then permission was granted by the school board for us to use their building for our services. We were then able to have two services each Sunday and our Sunday School was organized with an enrollment of 100.

  On March 18,1934, Rev. Johnson and Bro. T.D. Carroll returned for a Revival that was held in the school house. Bro. Johnson could only stay 10 days so the pastor finished the meeting with a total of 28 additions.

  The first Baptismal Services for the church was in March 1934 – First Baptist Church in Henderson let us use their baptistery. First candidates were: L.E. Tipps, Herbert Burton, Mrs. R.E. (Mattie) Tulley and Mrs. Robert Sibley and Ralph Chaney. On June 17^th 1934 the first services were held in the new church building. By late summer our number had grown to 203 in Sunday School, more than the building could accommodate.

  The collection on each Sunday night was given to the Cooperative Program; all birthday offerings to the Buckner Orphans Home. The total cost of our first building and fixtures was $3,006.57. Public offering was taken and the balance paid by forming the $1.00 per month club. Henderson’s Mr. Fred Hale built our first building. The church adopted New Hampshire Confession of Faith, Pendleton Rules of order and Kerfoot Parliamentary law. As time went by and the need arose, we added the East Wing and Sunday School rooms; later the West Wing with the Fellowship Hall, Sunday School rooms, Office, Library and expanded Nursery.

  Many changes have taken place during the 50 years. We bought additional ground that now includes 3 1/2 acres and the corner lot joining our property next to the Methodist Church. We ordained to the Ministry Cecil Salley, Cecil Johnson, Luther Garner, Jimmy Rutherford and James Kelly. Licensed one Raymond Darragh. We have had 15 pastors: Dr. Jesse N. Phillips, Dr. R. Alton Reed. Dr. Franklin M. Segler, Rev. Frank B. Burress, Rev. Milton O. Davis, Rev. John R. Webb, Rev. C. Earl White, Rev. Kelly Moseley (served two different times as pastor), Rev. R.L. Harville, Rev. Freeman Fuller, Rev. Bobby Powell, Rev. Bobby Phillips, Rev. Mike Simpson, Rev. Mike Ledbetter, and present pastor is Rev. Lee Evans. We had 108 men in uniform with 8 gold stars. Buster Anders, Olan Baxter, Thomas Baxter, Billy Fleener, J.D. Keaton, Jr. Calvin Lynn, Harold Phillips and Calvin Tyus. We still have 3 charter members Neal Barker, Deacon, Bessie Mae Sproles (Sec’y 1941-still is 1991), Crystal Johnson. We have 38 deacons. Leeroy Nichols, Neal R. Barker, Herbert Burton, G.A. Brown, Roy Pickard, P.C. Olive, L.T. Riggs, J.A. Underwood, Sr., F.C. Whitmarsh, L.T. Brumley, L.A. Deason, J.S. Draper, H.B. Leverett, R.O. Johnson, Cecil Salley, W.R. Fleener, W.O. Wright, Roy Davidson, W.R. Melton, L.L. Stout, K.C. Tatum, T.H. Ramsey, B.L. Smith, A.L. Golden, John R. Jones, H.J. Zimmerman, H.E. Taylor, E.I. Long, J.B. Caveness, J.E. Burton, Jack LePelley, Sr., Oscar Hamilton, F.K. Vansickle, Bill Cobb, Cecil Haddox, Neal Taylor and Tobe Moore. Our present board is Neal Barker, chrm, John R. Jones, Jack LePelley, Neal Taylor, secretary (1990).

  Membership Total in History of church Oct. 1,1990 - 2117

  Resident Membership 181 Non Resident 1983 Present membership – 374

  Total Number Deacons – 38 Present Board –4 Total – 38

  Total Baptisms – 844

  Number of deaths – 147

  Number of revivals – 85

  Total income in history - $1,812,021. Total Missions gifts in history-  

  $397,830.

  This additional history since 1984 – We have had much Benevolence work done. A new roof on the church, siding on both the church and parsonage, bought a new Grand Piano for the Sanctuary; added a Steeple with Chimes to the church. We have redone the parsonage and church nursery; set up food and clothes closets; bought a church bus; participated in World Hunger and all three of our annual mission programs, reaching our goals each time. Had TANE and Gideon Programs each year. We have added a ramp to the east end of the church and designated handicapped parking spots. Also have just repainted lines in our parking lot; fixed recreation area for our children. We now have a Youth pastor, Michael Helm since last July 1989. We put fire-escape ladder in the upstairs; bought a cannon NP 155 Copier and we have redone the church office. We had Mexican Missions for a short time and now have several Hispanic members. We have two black young people members also.

  Today’s’ news is tomorrow’s history! Psalm 118:24   By: Mrs. John S. (Bessie Mae) Sproles