Franklin Heights Baptist
CHURCH HISTORY
1958 1960 1961 1967 Next Page Page 1 2 3 4 5
At the leading of God's Holy Spirit, Rocky Mount Baptist Church initiated a mission outreach in the Franklin Heights community of Rocky Mount, Virginia. From the Lord's leading, Franklin Heights Mission was born.
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On October 19, 1958, the first Sunday School classes were conducted in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Collins, with fourteen members present. For more than a year they continued to meet weekly for regular worship services in the Collins' home. |
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The newly founded mission was formed around a nucleus of sixty-four charter members, and a first budget of $5000. To guide the work of the new ministry, the following officers and teachers were elected on December 7, 1958: |
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In June, 1959, the Rev. Robert L. Estes of Mt. Airy, North Carolina was called to be pastor of the newly formed mission church. A recent graduate of Southeastern Theological Seminary at Wake Forest, N.C., Rev. Estes served as pastor through February 12, 1961. |
On July 19, 1959, Franklin Heights' first profession of faith, Jesse Ramsey, was baptised.
October 7, 1959 - Woman's Missionary Union was organized.
November 1, 1959 - First radio program sponsored by the men of the Mission. Rev. Estes spoke over the radio every Sunday morning from 8:00-8:15.
The first trustees were: Taylor Bennett, Gilmer Thompson, and Will Thurman.
Land was donated for a church building and parsonage by H. Bryant Mattox and S. L. Burnett. On December 6, 1959 worship services and Sunday School classes moved to the newly built mission church. The new building was described as the first of four units of the building program envisioned by the "Long Range Planning Committee." The initial structure was 77 feet long by 29 feet wide, and was designed to hold 140 people in worship. Curtis Scott, the Sunday School Superintendent, pointed out that the building would also hold about 105 for Sunday School.
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| Rev. & Mrs. Robert L. Estes Kristi, Andy and Jon. (January, 1961) |
Construction
of first unit. (October, 1959) |
Completed
first unit. (April, 1962) |
First
Easter Sunday. (April 17, 1960) |
(click on pictures to enlarge)
On January 10, 1960 at 2:30 pm, the Franklin Heights Mission Church was officially dedicated into services. In October 1960, the Franklin County Missionary Baptist Association received the Franklin Heights Baptist Church into its organization.
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June 5, 1960 - First Deacons ordained: |
Raymond Blankenship |
June 13-17, 1960 - First Vacation Bible School.
July, 1960 - First Church Newsletter: "The Trumpet"
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On March 26, 1961, the Rev. T. Winston Parker was called to serve as the second pastor to minister to this congregation. Rev. Parker served as pastor from April 16, 1961 until January 31, 1967. |
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(click on pictures to enlarge)
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| "Pastorium" (Parsonage) | Auditorium/Education
Building Dedication April 24, 1966 |
New
Sunday School Building (at right) Dedicated September 20, 1970 |
April 8, 1962 - Dedication of new Pastorium which included Sunday School rooms in the basement.
April 19, 1962 - Women's Missionary Union 5th Annual Meeting of the Franklin County Association was held for the first time at Franklin Heights Baptist Church.
October 18, 1964 - Groundbreaking for Auditorium/Education Building. The new auditorium and educational facilities would accommodate up to 250 people. The cost was estimated at $35,000 plus an additional $5,000 for equipment and furnishings.
1965 - Total church membership: 154 Baptisms: 25
April 24, 1966 - Dedication of Auditorium/Education Building.
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| First concert of the
Youth Choir under the direction of Don and Jane Brooks. May 8, 1966 |
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The Rev. J. Larry Holland became Franklin Heights' third pastor, assuming his ministerial duties on June 12, 1967. |  |
