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Jefferson
Baptist Church ... The Early
Years (1957-1964)
In 1955 the Southern Baptist Convention set a goal to establish
30,000 new churches and missions by 1964. Jefferson Baptist
Church sprang from this ambitious campaign. In 1957, First
Baptist Church, in cooperation with the Judson Baptist
Association, purchased 8½ acres and a cottage approximately 2
miles east of the city limits on Jefferson Highway for
$32,500.00. A young, upstart preacher named Tommy French, armed
with a degree from Southwestern Seminary, was called as the
mission Pastor on November 16, 1958. The first service was held
in the cottage with 17 in Sunday School. Later that Sunday
evening, five people joined by letter. |
In 1959 a small shell house was purchased, which served as an
85-seat auditorium for 2 years.
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In the fall of 1961, a small frame auditorium
was constructed with a seating capacity of 145. This building was
the first one with a steeple and served in various capacities until
March, 1991, when it was sold and moved. |
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In
1962, a shell house was purchased and converted to a nursery.
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On March 31, 1963,
Jefferson Baptist Church was organized with 140 Charter members. Some
of these members are still here! |
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In the fall of 1963, the Boudreaux House and 1¾ acres at the corner
of Partridge Lane and Jefferson Highway
were purchased, which immediately added 3300 sq. ft. of educational
space. $50,000 in bonds were sold on a 15-year issue to purchase the
house and consolidate the debt remaining on the auditorium. It was
called the "Faith House" and served as education space until 1976 when
it was torn down. |
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