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The Second Baptist Church of Beaver Falls
by Gertie Young
Milestones Vol 22 No 2 Summer 1997

 

The true origin of the Second Baptist Church stems from a small group of people with a great zeal for Christ worshipping in homes, and being served by various ministers. Under the leadership of the Reverend Jordan D. Brown, a dynamic and progressive minister, they established the first church in 1893. They met in a small wooden church building owned by the First Baptist Church of Beaver Falls located at 10th Avenue and 24th Street - presently the site of K & M Automotive Electric Service.

Chartered April 26, 1919, the church was incorporated August 23, 1919 by trustees John Copeland, Patrick Hayden, William Taylor and B. F. Hall. Other charter members included Mrs. Mary Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Branch, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Young, Mr. and Mrs. George Boulding and Mrs. Nellie Lee.

Succeeding Reverend Brown as pastor were Reverend Willie Pannell, Reverend W. T. Thomas, Reverend William Nelson and Reverend F. J. Hudson. These were followed by the Reverend E. W. Lipscomb, a great leader and minister of the gospel.

The congregation grew rapidly, and soon it became necessary to undertake a building project. Reverend Lipscomb encouraged the membership to purchase part of the land of the present church and begin to build.

Then, in 1926, the Reverend G. E. Sallie assumed the pastorate, and the congregation stepped forward in a massive building campaign. Ground was broken on July 3, 1926, and what was then the main edifice - the rear of the present church - was subsequently completed. Reverend Sallie then encouraged the congregation to build further, and consequently a spacious parsonage was built and the present church building was begun.

Serving as contractors in this great undertaking were Mr. T. B. Witherspoon and Mr. John Newby and sons. They, and many others, donated countless hours of dedicated service to this project. With God's blessing, the hard work of many devoted, God fearing members, and notably the kindness and generosity of many benefactors, the building was completed, the indebtedness satisfied, and the mortgage was burned on Sunday, July 24, 1938, marking a milestone in the history of Second Baptist. Officers in charge during this historic period were A. D. Hayes, Chairman of Deacons, C. C. Winston, Chairman of Trustees, and Wesley Hicks, Treasurer. Other board members were Frank Burwell, Robert Parrish, Phillip Devenshire, Calvin Crawford, Felix Albert and Roscoe Elliot. We remain forever grateful to Mr. Louis Ingram, Mr. Ernest Richardson, Mrs. Frank Sheldrake and Mrs. Mary Armstrong Poole for their monetary contributions to this great cause.

The pastorate of Reverend G. E. Sallie was marked with great achievement, and he will long be remembered in the hearts of many.

The Reverend Ingram succeeded Reverend Sallie, and he was followed by Reverend B. F. Green. Succeeding him was Reverend M. L Gordon, under whose inspiring leadership a new furnace was installed. The annual Women's Day observance was instituted, the first service occurring on Sunday, May 27, 1945. This celebration has remained a great spiritual and financial blessing to Second Baptist for 48 years.

In the early 1950's the Reverend J. T. Laster was elected pastor. A devastating flood resulted in extensive damage to the church and parsonage, and in the loss of all records. In his brief but fruitful administration Reverend Laster launched a successful interior renovation program.

Succeeding Reverend Laster was the Reverend J. B. Williams, under whose pastorate many projects were completed - among them the purchase of new pews and carpeting.

Reverend H. B. French was called to pastor in 1958, and under his leadership the church grew spiritually and numerically for the next fifteen years, during which time a new organ was purchased and a new heating system installed.

The Reverend Delano R. Paige then assumed the pastorate in 1975, beginning a period of great progress. The following auxiliaries were organized: Permanent Records Committee, Benevolence Committee, Sunshine Youth Ushers, Youth Fellowship, and two musical groups - SBC Ensemble and Male Chorus. Additional property was purchased for a parking lot in September of 1977. On August 20, 1979, a van was purchased, alleviating many transportation concerns. A week of seminars on personal evangelism took place in 1976. In 1982 a successful Youth Crusade was held.

Reverend Paige was an inspiration to many young aspiring ministers of the gospel. He licensed Reverend Dwight Webster, Reverend Randy Barr, Reverend Henry Hansard, Minister Michael Lewis, Minister James Crawford, and Reverend Eric Board whom he licensed and ordained at Second Baptist.

After this administration we were without pastoral leadership for a few years, but continued to press on. Reverend Gene Hatley was extended a call and served for a brief time. During this period three trailers which had been used by Duquesne Light Co. were donated to the church by the owner, Mr. Fred Erke, an act of generosity greatly benefiting the Sunday School Department by providing seven much needed classrooms, an assembly room and a library/study room. We then needed land on which to place the trailers. On February 4, 1986, property across from the church that was formerly owned by Mrs. Rose Lee Penney was purchased by the congregation. Another act of kindness was extended by Mr. Richard Snedden, who first leased, then donated two lots to the church, thus eliminating a major concern. Again many dedicated members donated time and talent to bring this project to full fruitation.

Reverend R. A. Watson was installed as pastor on August 7, 1989. Under this brief ministry the Deaconess Board was organized, and a Boy Scout Troup -was established. Reverend Henry Hansard was ordained and Minister Edward Eugene Williams was licensed. The church was again the recipient of another act of benevolence in the donation of another lot by the Union National Bank.

After an interval of a few years without a pastor the congregation extended a call to the Reverend Bernard E. Tench, Jr. Inspiring installation services were held on Sunday, January 31, 1993, thus beginning a period of spiritural growth and enthusiasm. In the brief time of this pastorate many have been added to the church rolls, and many have returned to the fold. A new choir has been formed, and a very promising youth program is underway. The teaching and preaching of the gospel is outstanding, and a spirit of love prevails.

In 1998 a historical marker will be placed at the church by the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation.