A Little History of our Church
The establishment of Welcome Grove Baptist Church was the result of a remarkable series of revival meetings that spanned five weeks. These meetings were held in a brush arbor behind Lloyd Corn’s residence and workshop, situated just across from the current church building.
On September 6, 1953, at 2:00 p.m., a council composed of ordained ministers and deacons gathered to officially form Welcome Grove Baptist Church.
Rev. K.B. Robertson, Rev. Floyd O. Owens, Rev. W.T. Craton, Marvin A. Smith, Robert Lee Wilbur, J.D. Clackum, F.J. Holcombe, Lloyd T. Corn, & O.H. Pete Day.
Welcome Grove Baptist Church conducted its first conference for general business. Rev. H.C. Williams was elected as the pastor via a secret ballot vote, and Bro. Lloyd Corn was appointed as the church clerk.
On September 10, 1953, a decision was made to hold prayer meetings in a vacant room at Bro. Wilburn Clarks until the church could be completed. Bro. Virgil Wigley was selected as the Chairman of the Building Committee.
On October 8, 1953, a decision was made to construct a church building measuring 30 x 60 feet with 4 Sunday school rooms (now part of our basement) at an estimated cost of around $1,400. The 1st service took place in this building on Thanksgiving Day in 1953.
Pastor’s of Welcome Grove Baptist Church
Hubert Williams
1953 – 1956
Franklin Rogers
1956 – 1957
B.W. Allison
1957 – 1960
Junior Merritt
1960 – 1961
Lowell White
1961 – 1964
J.T. Brown
1964 – 1971
Howard Crowe
1971 – 1972
Ralph Foster
1972 – 1979
Charles Wilbanks
1979 – 1984
Larry Ritch
1985 – 1988
Carroll Rhodes
1988 – 1988
Vermon Parmer
1988 – 1989
Hubert Woodward
1990 – 1995
Sammy Hall
1995 – 1999
Brent Tatum
1999 – 2002
Jeff Clark
2002-Present