In the mid-1960's, housing additions began to be constructed in what has become known as East Lawton. During that period, First Baptist Church of Lawton, under the leadership of its pastor, Dr. They would. Tom Wiles, began the Sullivan Village Extension in August, 1965. There were 48 present for the first support with Dr. Wiles preaching.
The mission met in the first device of the building which was built at SE 40th as well as Elmhurst, the former location of our chapel in Sullivan Village. A Weekend School was begun upon August 29, 1965 with 59 present. John Roy Harris served as pastor and music overseer with his wife, Gladys, serving as the pianist. Tracy Bishop served as the first Sunday School Director.
A Women's Missionary Marriage group was also started a few months later with Mrs. Cleo Craig because teacher and Mrs. Jim Atkinson because chairman. The first Vacation Bible College was held the summer of 1966 along with Doyne Bardsher as assistant to Bro. Harris, superintendent. In the fall of 1966, Steve Roy Harris retired and a search started for the first pastor.
Bro. Gene Daley was called to be the priest of this mission on This summer 2, 1967. Under his ministry, the mission was able to build a sanctuary at the cost of $72,500. Ted Horton served as the architect as well as G.W. Hastings was the actual builder. In January associated with 1971, the mission changed it's name to Hilltop Baptist Church. Bro. Daley resigned in August associated with 1971. For the next several months Dr. Wiles, Chaplain Wear Davis and retired Chaplain Charles Gray stuffed the pulpit.
In May associated with 1972, Bro. Karl Harmon was known as pastor. He had completed North western Seminary. The mission began to flourish and actually averaged over 100 within Sunday School two sequential years. Finances began to stabilize and the mission began to look forward to becoming a church. However, Bro. Harmon left in October of 1976 and the search began for an additional pastor. The mission struggled throughout the months it was without a pastor as attendance declined. Larry Wilson served as interim priest during much of this time.
In July of 1977, Bro. Elbert Channell was called as pastor. Under their ministry two significant events occurred. First, the mission voted to change its name to First Baptist East in March of 1978. Secondly, after nearly 13 years as a mission, the objective was constituted as a church on May 21, 1978. During this period plans were discussed regarding adding space, but one year later, Bro. Channell resigned.
Getting only been a church for one year, a search for another pastor began. Within 3 months, the church had called Bro. Doug Passmore as its pastor. He'd been serving as Family Existence Minister at First Baptist Church within Lawton. Almost immediately the Lawton Churches began to grow and reach individuals. Soon the church started to use the Sullivan Village Elementary College for Sunday School.
The Lay Renewal Weekend in March of 1980 was the event that sparked the excitement and enthusiasm about our The almighty that continues still today. Within 1980, plans were made as well as construction started on a two-story education facility.
In 1980, the church was presented with an award for the largest percentage increase in Sunday School enrollment within Oklahoma. A capital stewardship plan, called Together We Develop, to help offset the $325,000 building being constructed, was started.
In May of 1981, another morning worship service had been started to handle the crowds of people attending First East at the former location. In September of 1981 the building was completed and was adopted for Sunday School, work place and fellowship hall. The church continued to grow rapidly with a high attendance of 484 in Sunday School in October of 1982.
The actual decade of the 90's was an exciting one for this developing body of believers. In February of 1990 our chapel voted to relocate its facility when land became available. On March 25, 1990 the actual church voted to purchase Fifty two acres of land from Flower Mound Road and Highway 7. In September of 1990, the deal was closed. In the fall of 1995, construction began on the first stage of a five-phase master plan adopted by the church in 94'. This building contains a 700-seat auditorium, preschool, children and adult classrooms. The portable structures were moved from the Sullivan Town location to give us space for almost 450 people for Sunday School. In January of 2004, Phase 2 had been completed and the Sullivan Village location was no longer used by the actual church.
The decade of the 90's was an exciting one for this growing body of believers. In February of 1990 our chapel voted to relocate its service when land became accessible. On March 25, 1990 the church voted to purchase Fifty two acres of land at Flower Mound Road and Highway 7. In September of 1990, the deal was closed. In the fall of 1995, construction began on the first stage of a five-phase master plan adopted by the church in 1994. This building contains a 700-seat audience, preschool, children and grownup classrooms. The portable structures were moved from the Sullivan Village location to give us space for almost 450 people for Weekend School. In January of 2004, Phase 2 had been completed and the Sullivan Village area was no longer used by the church.
Since becoming a church in 1978, Sunday School attendance has increased five-fold and over 1600 are signed up for Sunday School. We have baptized more than 1,600 people through the years and membership has gone from 295 to over almost 1,Thousand resident members. Our chapel has literally sent families around the world through transfers through the years. Several are in the ministry or have surrendered to the ministry and await God's direction.
The mission met in the first device of the building which was built at SE 40th as well as Elmhurst, the former location of our chapel in Sullivan Village. A Weekend School was begun upon August 29, 1965 with 59 present. John Roy Harris served as pastor and music overseer with his wife, Gladys, serving as the pianist. Tracy Bishop served as the first Sunday School Director.
A Women's Missionary Marriage group was also started a few months later with Mrs. Cleo Craig because teacher and Mrs. Jim Atkinson because chairman. The first Vacation Bible College was held the summer of 1966 along with Doyne Bardsher as assistant to Bro. Harris, superintendent. In the fall of 1966, Steve Roy Harris retired and a search started for the first pastor.
Bro. Gene Daley was called to be the priest of this mission on This summer 2, 1967. Under his ministry, the mission was able to build a sanctuary at the cost of $72,500. Ted Horton served as the architect as well as G.W. Hastings was the actual builder. In January associated with 1971, the mission changed it's name to Hilltop Baptist Church. Bro. Daley resigned in August associated with 1971. For the next several months Dr. Wiles, Chaplain Wear Davis and retired Chaplain Charles Gray stuffed the pulpit.
In May associated with 1972, Bro. Karl Harmon was known as pastor. He had completed North western Seminary. The mission began to flourish and actually averaged over 100 within Sunday School two sequential years. Finances began to stabilize and the mission began to look forward to becoming a church. However, Bro. Harmon left in October of 1976 and the search began for an additional pastor. The mission struggled throughout the months it was without a pastor as attendance declined. Larry Wilson served as interim priest during much of this time.
In July of 1977, Bro. Elbert Channell was called as pastor. Under their ministry two significant events occurred. First, the mission voted to change its name to First Baptist East in March of 1978. Secondly, after nearly 13 years as a mission, the objective was constituted as a church on May 21, 1978. During this period plans were discussed regarding adding space, but one year later, Bro. Channell resigned.
Getting only been a church for one year, a search for another pastor began. Within 3 months, the church had called Bro. Doug Passmore as its pastor. He'd been serving as Family Existence Minister at First Baptist Church within Lawton. Almost immediately the Lawton Churches began to grow and reach individuals. Soon the church started to use the Sullivan Village Elementary College for Sunday School.
The Lay Renewal Weekend in March of 1980 was the event that sparked the excitement and enthusiasm about our The almighty that continues still today. Within 1980, plans were made as well as construction started on a two-story education facility.
In 1980, the church was presented with an award for the largest percentage increase in Sunday School enrollment within Oklahoma. A capital stewardship plan, called Together We Develop, to help offset the $325,000 building being constructed, was started.
In May of 1981, another morning worship service had been started to handle the crowds of people attending First East at the former location. In September of 1981 the building was completed and was adopted for Sunday School, work place and fellowship hall. The church continued to grow rapidly with a high attendance of 484 in Sunday School in October of 1982.
The actual decade of the 90's was an exciting one for this developing body of believers. In February of 1990 our chapel voted to relocate its facility when land became available. On March 25, 1990 the actual church voted to purchase Fifty two acres of land from Flower Mound Road and Highway 7. In September of 1990, the deal was closed. In the fall of 1995, construction began on the first stage of a five-phase master plan adopted by the church in 94'. This building contains a 700-seat auditorium, preschool, children and adult classrooms. The portable structures were moved from the Sullivan Town location to give us space for almost 450 people for Sunday School. In January of 2004, Phase 2 had been completed and the Sullivan Village location was no longer used by the actual church.
The decade of the 90's was an exciting one for this growing body of believers. In February of 1990 our chapel voted to relocate its service when land became accessible. On March 25, 1990 the church voted to purchase Fifty two acres of land at Flower Mound Road and Highway 7. In September of 1990, the deal was closed. In the fall of 1995, construction began on the first stage of a five-phase master plan adopted by the church in 1994. This building contains a 700-seat audience, preschool, children and grownup classrooms. The portable structures were moved from the Sullivan Village location to give us space for almost 450 people for Weekend School. In January of 2004, Phase 2 had been completed and the Sullivan Village area was no longer used by the church.
Since becoming a church in 1978, Sunday School attendance has increased five-fold and over 1600 are signed up for Sunday School. We have baptized more than 1,600 people through the years and membership has gone from 295 to over almost 1,Thousand resident members. Our chapel has literally sent families around the world through transfers through the years. Several are in the ministry or have surrendered to the ministry and await God's direction.
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If you are looking around to find Lawton Churches then take a look at First Baptist East in Lawton Ok.
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