History of Hamlin Memorial Baptist Church

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI

Hamlin Memorial Baptist Church began as a mission in 1892 in the northern part of Greene County at the edge of Springfield.

The following account from the historical records of North Springfield Baptist Church (formerly Robberson Avenue, now Second) tell of the beginnings:

"On statement of Pastor relating to a Mission in the North Western part of the city, it was on motion of Dr. (H. S.) Hill ordered to establish a Mission of this Church, at the Chapel built by the Plymouth Congregational Church, which had been rented by a committee consisting of Brothers Sheppard and Warren for $3.00 per month."

And with this statement, on March 8, 1892, what is known today as Hamlin Memorial Baptist Church was started.

Named Ray Mission in honor of William Ray. On January 4, 1893, the church voted to secure a loan of $350.00 to be used to purchase the Ray Mission Building. On March 1, 1893, the trustees reported they had borrowed $350.00 at 8% interest, repayable at $100.00 per year and had purchased the mission building at the corner of Grant and Kearney. The mission was to be entirely under the control of the trustees and deacons of the North Springfield Baptist Church. Rev. A. B. Elsey served as pastor with the first Sunday School superintendent, Ernest Lovan, and the first treasurer was William Ray. On February 9, 1893, the first deacons were ordained.

The church was organized on the fourth Sunday in June, 1895, as the Ray Chapel Baptist Church with seven charter members: Mr. And Mrs. M. F. Gaddy, Mrs. Breshears and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Burdette, and Rev. A. B. Elsey.

Among the pastors who served from 1898-1907 were John A. Newport, J. J. Parten, F. A. Hill, Richard Peterson, E. T. Sloan, M. W. Morton, W.F. Braswell.

In November, 1907, Rev. J. R. Hamlin became pastor of the church. Hamlin’s son, Attorney O. T. Hamlin, suggested that the church be moved inside the city, making it more convenient for the members and giving it better protection by the law. The suggestion was accepted with O. T. Hamlin donating a lot he owned at the corner of High and Main and one third of the lumber for a new church, and another third was donated by Deacon Gaddy. In 1908, a new church was erected with a seating capacity of 300, a baptistery and two committee rooms. The church was renamed in memory of Rev. & Mrs. J. R. Hamlin.

By 1918, the membership was over 500. The present site at the corner of Atlantic Street and Missouri Avenue was purchased. A new building was erected in 1925 with seating capacity for 600, with 10 rooms, costing $45,000.00.

The following pastors served from 1912-1929: M. W. Morton, A. B. Elsey, J. W. Alexander, W. A. Boyd, J. L. Leonard, L. H. Maples, Gordon Bayless, and J. A. Roper.

Rev. Haskel T. Abbott began a ministry in 1929, which spanned almost a quarter of a century. At the beginning of his ministry, the membership was 807 and, at his retirement, it was 1594. Homes around the church were purchased for the growing Sunday School. Under the pastorate of Emory Wallace (1954-1958), an education building was begun. The building was completed in 1959 when Dr. Paul Webber became pastor. With its completion providing 10 departmental rooms, 26 additional classrooms, five nurseries, library, office suite, and a recreation room.

In October, 1967, Carl W. Garrett was called as pastor and under his leadership the sanctuary was extensively remodeled and a new exterior façade of a contemporary arched-window design was constructed to replace the front which was built in 1925.

During its 107-year history, the church has established these churches in north Springfield: Northwest (Sunset Chappell), 1919; Bethlehem Chapel, 1941; Broadway Baptist Church, 1955; and Fremont Baptist Church, 1963.

C. Calvin Maberry assumed the pastorate in 1973, after serving as associate pastor for five years. During the past decade, the church has focused upon following God’s command for ministering to the needs of the individual and the community. From mission to an established church, Hamlin Memorial has continued to be a pillar for God in Greene County.

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