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Mammoth Baptist Church

101980 S. Hwy 177
405-279-2451

History of Mammoth Baptist Church:
In the year of 1903, members of the community (James Brewer, Daniel Brewer, Ern Fenderson, Mel Fenderson, Wes Ward, Frank Stearman, George Stearman, and Bill Spurgeon) built a one room log schoolhouse on the corner where Mammoth Baptist Church now stands. In 1904, Rev. Charlie Cansler organized the Christian Union Church, which met in the school once each month (The Saturday night before the first Sunday of the month).

According to two different accounts about who organized the first Baptist church that met in the school in 1907, it was either "Rev W.F. Farrer and Rev. Silas Saunders with 7 charter members (unamed---no records remain)" or " Rev. Silas Saunders, Henry Poplin, Rev. Jim McCowan, Urriah Honneycutt, and Rev. William Bean" with 7 charter members. The church was named "Hopewell Baptist Church" by Dora Brewer (grandmother of R.J Brewer) who had been teaching Sunday School in her home prior to that time. Some of the early Pastors were: Rev. Jim McCowan, Rev. William Bean, Rev, J.G. Walker, Rev. Jessie Mason, Rev. Estel Thomason, Rev. Jim Cansler, and Rev. Silas Saunders.

June 1st, 1930, Ben Hall and Roy Brewer were appointed to select a site at Jacktown to build an arbor for the purpose of holding a Revival with Mt. Olive Baptist Church. The Revival was reported to be a "real success". August 3, 1930, the church voted to elect Roy Brewer as a board member of the association to represent the church in voting for consolidating Lincoln County and Pottawatomie County Associations.

February 21, 1931, a motion was made for the Pastor to preach for what he could get, or resign. Some of the collection totals were $1.20, $4.65, and $3.43, which the Pastor was paid. In 1931, delegates to the Associational Convention were Susie Hall, J.A. Burns, R.R. Honeycutt, and Tom Hall.

The church met in the Mammoth School building until 1940 when the building was purchased by the church. The building, a frame structure, had been constructed by James Brewer (no record of when it replaced the log structure). In 1947, the name of the church was changed to its current name, "Mammoth Baptist Church", because there were two Hopewell Baptist Churches in the Association. In 1948, and again in 1955, educational rooms were added.

On December 19, 1954, the church licensed Rev. Donald Smith to preach. In 1957, the church also licensed Rev. Dillard Roberts to preach.

On February 24, 1963, a ground breaking service was held for the new building. In 1967, the church debt was paid. April 13, 1969, dedication was held with Rev. James Maxwell giving the charge and Rev. Estel Thomason the dedication sermon.

In 1974, the church held its first ordination service for the ministry by ordaining Rev. Vernon Marley, the pastor at that time. In 1976, the church purchased its first bus. In 1978, it purchased an electric organ. In 1980, the church installed new cabinets, an electric stove, two ovens, and a dishwasher in the kitchen area under the supervision of Floyd Cook. In 1982, a sound system was installed and B.R. 'Bill' Borcherding was ordained as Deacon.

In 1983, colored glass windows were installed in the sanctuary, the outside of the building was bricked, the parking area blacktopped, and a new lighted marque sign installed in front of the building. In 1984, a portable building was purchased and equipped as a nursery and Pastor's study. On June 10 of that same year, the church licensed Jim Blair and Wayne Gile to the preaching ministry. In 1985, a fiberglass steeple was added to the roof and automatic lighting was added the following year.


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