Wickland Baptist Mission Holds First Service
The
Wickland Baptist Mission began a full schedule of services
on June 2, 1960. A Mission Dedication Service was held at
the Bardstown Baptist Church on that date. Following the
dedication services, the Wickland Baptist Mission left for
Sunday School and worship services at Wickland. There
were thirty-three present for Sunday School and forty in
worship services that first Sunday.
First Pastor and Officers Chosen
The first pastor was James Barron and
the church elected the following "General Officers" at the
first business meeting held on June 26, 1960: Sedwick
Bean, Moderator; George Brown, Sr., Treasurer; Ida Belle
Hicks, Clerk; Mrs. Myrtle Mattingly, Superintendent of
Visitation; Mrs. J. O. Cassity, Pianist.
Wickland Baptist Church Constituted
On August 10, 1961, The Bardstown
Baptist Church voted to grant letters of dismissal to
forty-six members, twenty-five came into the mother church
through the mission. This meant the mission had
"cost" the mother church twenty-one members and about
$500.00 in oil and electric bills incurred for the mission
pastor's apartment. All other expenses were paid by
the mission.
History of the Building
The members built the first building.
A Dedication Service was held August 21, 1966 when the
first loan was paid off. Air conditioning was
installed in June 1982. Three members furnished the
labor: Sedwick Bean; Harold Puckett; and John Troxell.
On March 24, 1991, the church dedicated
a new addition that provided space for a fellowship hall
and for more Sunday School rooms. Danny Raisor built this
addition at a cost of approximately $50,000.00. One
of the members, Ebb Eblen, drew up the plans for this
addition.
Ground breaking for the newest part of
the building was held August 30, 1995. This phase of
the building program consisted of a new sanctuary and many
new Sunday School rooms. J.D. Whitney, a deacon,
donated a year of his time to act as the General
Contractor on the project. Dedication services were
held on March 23, 1997. The first pastor, Brother
James Barron and his wife Linda were present for this
service.
