First
Baptist Church, Walnut Hills
2926 Park AvenueCincinnati,
Ohio 45206
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First
Baptist Church, Walnut Hills |
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Home
| 1863 - 1900 | 1901 1947 | 1948
- 1977 | 1978 - 1995 | 1996
- Present Church History What is known today as the First Baptist Church in Walnut Hills did not begin as a Baptist Church, it was simply called the First Church. It begun in 1856, under the leadership of Reverend Dangerfield Early. Until 1863, this body was composed of both Baptist and Methodist, as there was no church of either denomination in Walnut Hills prior to 1863. They were simply or commonly known as worshippers. It was in 1863, that the Methodist withdrew from this fellowship. These persons then requested or called a council, composed of officers of the Union Baptist and Zion Baptist Churches for the purpose of considering the organization of this small body into an independent church. The Church called Reverend Dangerfield Early to the pastorate and continued as pastor of the church from 1867 to 1876. In 1876, Reverend Early resigned, and Rev. A. F. Darnell was called to the pastorate of the church. Under his administration, the church also thrived. In 1883, Rev. Darnell organized the first choir in the church with Brother Gregory as the organist. In April of 1894, Reverend R.D. Phillips accepted the call to serve as Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Walnut Hills. During his administration the Church experienced both spiritual and financial harvest. January 1901, Reverend R. D. Phillips resigned to accept the position as State Missionary of Ohio. In the Spring of 1901, the church extended a call to Reverend George Cobble. He was well educated, and a talented musician. His pastorate was brief and he resigned in 1902. In March of 1903, Rev. Francis P. Green of South Bend, Indiana was extended a call. Reverend Green soon presented a plan to raise money to build a new brick church with a seating capacity of five hundred. The Church was built, and the cornerstone laid in 1908. On the day of completion the church marched around the corner into the new edifice singing, "We Are Marching To Zion." Soon this became too small for the choir, and the Sunday School. Again Reverend Green proved to be a great general, he commanded the forces and organized the church into groups and raised the money to begin the building of the Annex to meet the urgent need. December 1944 was a great month for First Baptist Church, it marked the payment of the last dollar on the Annex and a mortgage burning. This proved to be the last big work of our pastor, as his eyes dimmed, his steps slow, with only a brief illness, he fell asleep and was gathered to his fathers. He preached up to the last. His desire was to die in the harness and this he did in March 1948. For forty-five years he gave his full measure of devotion for the cause of First Baptist Church. In June of 1948 the church extended a call to Reverend Burrell E. Edmondson. Coming to a church free of debt, a congregation well trained to follow leadership, the opportunity` was fertile for administrative organization. Reverend Edmondson was a gifted preacher with an evangelistic appeal, and because of this, the church experienced rapid growth. After serving the church faithfully for 29 years Reverend Edmondson resigned the pastorate in June of 1977. In July of 1978, Reverend Thomas H. Ferrell, Jr. became Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Walnut Hills. Revered Ferrell, Jr. proved to be a great leader; a spiritual Moses as the financial contributions and the membership has grown, but above all else, the spiritual growth has increased during his leadership, and a spirit of true fellowship and willingness to build for the kingdom of God has prevailed throughout the congregation. And the members believe that Pastor Ferrell was being led by a strong conviction of faith and love of God. After serving the church faithfully for 17 years Reverend Ferrell resigned the pastorate in June of 1995. In July of 1996, after much prayer and consideration a call was extended to Reverend Eric E. Cason to become Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Walnut Hills. Let us now take a moment to pause and glance backwards with gratitude and appreciation to God for our heritage, and then look forward with trust and hope for our future.
First
Baptist Church, Walnut Hills This web page is designed and maintained by the Computer Literacy Ministry of the First Baptist Church, Walnut Hills. Please e-mail the webmaster with any questions, concerns, complements, or complaints about this site. The site was last updated on 03/01/00.
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