Alton Freewill Baptist Church

History:
The Alton Freewill Baptist Church was organized September 16, 1955, following a tent revival, conducted by Rev. C. A. Dodson, Rev. Harry Beatty, Rev. Billy Rogers and Rev. Davie Combs. The following ordaining council of ministers and deacons met under the tent and organized the Alton Freewill Baptist Church: Rev.'s C. A. Dodson, Harry Beatty, Davie Combs, H. C. Crase, Billy Rogers, Keith Johnson, Ernest Harding, Meril Shaw. Deacons: Lee Clark, W. B. Combs, Luke Boze, Andrew Moore, Lee Lynch, Roy Martin, Wallace Strain, Raymond Williams, Mack Warren and Dale Archer. There were 43 charter members. By choice of the body, Bros. Clifton Wright, Elgin Williams and Jim Harding were selected as deacons; Ernest James, clerk; and Rev. C. A. Dodson as Pastor.

A need for a place to worship was the first problem but this was resolved when a local funeral director, Mr. J. Q. Clary, opened the doors of his chapel to the church one hour every Sunday morning. During this hour the congregation hurriedly went through the Sunday School lesson and the pastor delivered a short sermon. The first service was held there October 1, 1955.

The church began searching for a place to build and immediately the Lord provided a place through a dear lady, Sister Eliza Bell who donated a large lot to the church. The lot was located near the northwest edge of the city limits of Alton. On the following Sunday, after the one hour service, a small band of anxious people went to the building site, had prayer and elected a building committee consisting of Bros. Dan Cline, George Chronister, Elgin Williams, David Combs, and Ernest James. Under the supervision of this committee the building was soon started.