HISTORY OF THE FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF ARMONA
On January 13, 1946, 10 charter members convened together to form the First Missionary Baptist Church of Armona. Those charter members were Elder and Mrs. Charles Crouch, M.W. Edwards and wife Zula, Walter Edwards, A.D. Oliver, Pearl Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Todd, and Allie Keaster.
Charles Crouch was the first pastor. The church purchased the first part of the property and erected a frame building for a place of worship in the first several months of its existence.
Under the leadership of the second pastor, Eld. Charles Price, (Sept. 1948-Oct. 1949) the church purchased property to the east using the home for a parsonage.
Succeeding Eld. Price was Pastor M.J. Duncan. During this period of church history the membership grew materially and numerically. Some additions were made to the building.
The old auditorium was repaired under the direction of the fourth pastor, Thomas Hicks, (June 1952-July 1953). Though his was a short stay much was accomplished. He led the church to an increased mission support and full time pastoral support.
Then came Bro. A.T. Adkins, one of the special pastors of the church. Two of the nine pastoral periods of the history of the church belong to Bro. Adkins. The church continued to grow in every phase, improvements on the property as well as growth.
Much was accomplished under the leadership of Bro. Ernest Bennett. (Dec. 1958-1965) He was a successful pastor and contended for the truth.
The seventh pastor, Bro. A.D. Compton followed Bro. Bennett. The church bought a new parsonage and additional property to the south, sold the old parsonage to move away-then built the present auditorium with the connected education wing.
Following Bro. Compton was A.T. Adkins for his second stay with the church. He remained pastor until the spring of 1975 and resigned due to health problems.
Elder Bill Fritz has remained pastor since 1975. An Armona youth who grew up in the church. He received his education at the Little Rock Seminary and C.M.B.I.(Bellflower Seminary). He was a missionary with his endorsement from Armona as well as pastor of several churches throughtout the state.
This church has touched many lives in the Armona area since it began in 1946.
Charles Crouch was the first pastor. The church purchased the first part of the property and erected a frame building for a place of worship in the first several months of its existence.
Under the leadership of the second pastor, Eld. Charles Price, (Sept. 1948-Oct. 1949) the church purchased property to the east using the home for a parsonage.
Succeeding Eld. Price was Pastor M.J. Duncan. During this period of church history the membership grew materially and numerically. Some additions were made to the building.
The old auditorium was repaired under the direction of the fourth pastor, Thomas Hicks, (June 1952-July 1953). Though his was a short stay much was accomplished. He led the church to an increased mission support and full time pastoral support.
Then came Bro. A.T. Adkins, one of the special pastors of the church. Two of the nine pastoral periods of the history of the church belong to Bro. Adkins. The church continued to grow in every phase, improvements on the property as well as growth.
Much was accomplished under the leadership of Bro. Ernest Bennett. (Dec. 1958-1965) He was a successful pastor and contended for the truth.
The seventh pastor, Bro. A.D. Compton followed Bro. Bennett. The church bought a new parsonage and additional property to the south, sold the old parsonage to move away-then built the present auditorium with the connected education wing.
Following Bro. Compton was A.T. Adkins for his second stay with the church. He remained pastor until the spring of 1975 and resigned due to health problems.
Elder Bill Fritz has remained pastor since 1975. An Armona youth who grew up in the church. He received his education at the Little Rock Seminary and C.M.B.I.(Bellflower Seminary). He was a missionary with his endorsement from Armona as well as pastor of several churches throughtout the state.
This church has touched many lives in the Armona area since it began in 1946.
