In the autumn of 1907, Rev. J.P.
Pittsfield and a few pioneers founded the Pleasant Grove Baptist
Church, which at that time was located across the street.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church received its name because there was large
pleasant grove of trees that formed a bush arbor.
We are not sure when the church moved to the present site or changed
the name to First Baptist Church, however we do know for certain that
our church was the first church in Idabel to be named First Baptist
Church. But for some reason(s) that we are not certain of, the
east Idabel group was allowed to name their church First Baptist Church
of Idabel. Never the less, we are still First Baptist; at some
point in time Westside was added to distinguish the difference.
On this present site, there have been three buildings. In the
year of our Lord 1937, Rev A. Curry
became Pastor. He had a vision to build a house to the honor and
glory of God. The old building was razed and the new church grew under
his leadership. Many members were added and the church became a
leader in the community. After fourteen years as the spiritual
leader, Rev Curry moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to become the pastor
of the Faith Memorial Baptist Church. Rev. Curry never severed
his ties with First Baptist Church; he kept in touch down thru the
years. His picture is one of the four pictures that hang in the
fellowship hall.
In 1951 the Reverend Bennie Jones
became our new Pastor. The church prospered both spiritually and
financially. All outstanding debts were paid off. The
church was remodeled and new furniture was purchased. Dr. H.W.
Williamston, a Dentist and his wife Lucy were instrumental in getting
new furniture and an organ for the church. Sister Hattie Easley
Valentine a well-known musician was the musical director. She was
a member of the Wings Over Jordan Group. She traveled
extensively, even overseas. Rev. B.J. Jones was tragically taken
from us in a car accident, but the legacy that he left behind will
always be a vital part of this church. Also the B.J. Jones
Scholarship Fund that has given monies to many First Baptist College
students down thru the years in his memory. His picture is one of
four pictures that hang in the fellowship hall.
Rev. Ralph Franklin White
became pastor in March 1972. Pastor White was raised in the Maple
Springs community, west of town, so in a manner of speaking, he came
home. The church has been completely remodeled with central heat
and air, cushioned pews, new lightening, a public address system (PA),
and tape ministry. Deacon A.C. Pearson planted a seed about a
church bus, however we did not get one until after his death, but the
church purchased a 15-passenger van. The property located
behind the church on the east and the property on the side to the north
was purchased for future expansion. Sister Willie C. Scott was in
charge of the food services for the church always wanted a big
kitchen. February 1991 a banquet size dining room with a big
kitchen was completed. Included in the expansion was 6
classrooms, a room for storage, a new pastor’s study, a new choir room
a business office and handicapped accessible bathrooms. The
upstairs from the sanctuary was equipped to be a nursery with nursery
furniture being donated by Deacon A.B. and Sister Classie Murray.
The mortgage for this project was burned in a special ceremony in July
1997. Praise God for his goodness.
Spiritually the church has advanced with Allen Gulley, Lee Sherman
Pickings, Franco Richards Allen Warren, Roosevelt Bland, Leroy Welch
and Mosea White being ordained as Ministers. Robert E. Johnson
and Willis Hunter were ordained Deacons. Rev Mosea White has the
distinction of being the first female in history of this church to be
ordained as a minister and to have the position of Assistant
Pastor. In other words, First Baptist Church in the history of
the Southeast District was the first to have a husband wife team to
minister to the needs of the church family as well as the
community. Pastor White ministered to this church and community
for 31 years. As a token of love and appreciation the church
presented to him keys to a new Ford truck for 30 years of loving
service. In November 2003, Pastor White resigned as pastor
because of long illness. At that time the church voted
unanimously that he should have the title of Pastor Emeritus. His
picture is one of four pictures that hang in the fellowship hall.
After much prayer and by guidance of God, February 2004, Dr. Byron C. Muse Sr. was
unanimously elected Pastor of First Baptist Church Westside.
Under his leadership a new 15-passenger van was purchased, upgrades to
the bathrooms and foyer into the sanctuary has been completed.
Sylvia Watson-Baker being ordain as minister and Wayne Baker ordain as
deacon. Charlotte Muse the First Lady is the assistant minister
of music. The church is continuing to move forward giving all
glory and honor to God.
On December 17, 2006 Pastor Michael D. Massey
conducted his first service at First Baptist Church Westside and has
since accepted the Spiritual Calling to become the permanent pastor for
our Friendly Little Church in the heart of a Friendly People.
Pastor
Massey brings with him his wife and two children and an impressive list
of professional accomplishments. These accomplishments are shared
by both Pastor Massey and his wife and they work together as a
team. Pastor Massey has a reverberating theme that strikes at the
heart of any
worldly problem, Much Prayer - Much Power, Little Prayer - Little Power, No Prayer - No Power.
Some former pastors were: J.P. Pittsfield, T.J. Higgs, H.P. Patton,
C.S. Booker, R.L. Dunlap, J.C. McCoy, M.S. Stinson, S.W. Williams and
Brown.
Some former deacons were: Aaron Ware, Manuel Barr, Allen Smith, M.T.
tucker, A.H. Stiggers, J.H. Houston, Lee Richardson, William Campbell,
Will McDowell, C.W. Wright, Green Caldwell, L.W. Watson, Hardy
Weatherford, George Strong, Dr. H.W. Williamston, Paul Williams, Clem
Ellis, Leroy Joshua, A.C. Pearson, John Terry, C.B. Corley, Leonard
Blandon, Lorenzo Williams, and William H. B. Jones. The present
deacons are A.B. Murray, Robert E. Johnson, Willis Hunter, Martin
Giddens and Wayne Baker.
Some former music directors were Beatrice McKinley affectionately known
as “Sis B” and Leo Vaughn who is the father of Countess Vaughn
(actress). Anna Lois Clayton is currently the minister of
music. She has been with the church for many years playing for
the youth and adult choir. She is active in district and state
and has played for many churches are the Southeastern District.
The first missionary president was Callie MaHardy, followed by Amelia
Smith, Beatrice Sanders, Mary Watson, Hettie McDonald, Mary Frost Hill,
and Willie C. Scott, Anna Lois Clayton and Pearlie M. Hurd. Our
present missionary president is Ester H. Hamilton.
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