Concord Baptist Church History

The church was established in 1867, as Rocky Hammock Baptist Church. Walter Graham's parents donated the land. The original church was made of wood with doors on either end. Services were held by lamplight the first and third Sunday of each month. Reflecting the times, men sat on one side of the church and the ladies on the other.

Pastors of the Early Years

Records show the following pastors over the next several years:

• 1935 Josie B. Knight
• 1941 Brother McElroy
• 1942 U. W. Rollins
• 1944 R. R. Sledge
• 1946 Learch
• 1947 G.C. Eubanks
• 1948 G. T. Evans
• 1949 Perry Edwards
• 1950 Bennie Yelovinton

The church closed some time in 1951 and reopened again in 1953. It struggled with six active members and the doors were closed later that year. In 1955, a layman named Jack Matthews, of Joppa Missionary Baptist Church, visited families, filled out census cards and services were once again held. Jack Matthews became lay pastor and with the support of Brother Joe Ishie, Brother A. B. Al King, and Mrs. Lizzie King the church started to thrive.

The first service brought out ten people one month later, 29 people attended the church. The first baptisms were held at channel number 4 in Cedar Key and later in Otter Creek.

Church Aims (March 1955)

In March 1955, Brother Matthews listed the following aims for the church. Requesting the members adopt them as their goals:

1. A Consecrated membership;
2. Every member of the church saved;
3. Every member praying privately and publicly;
4. Every member reading the Holy Bible every day;
5. Every member taking part in family worship every day;
6. Every member attending all services except when sick or compelled to work;
7. Every member visiting the sick in body and the sick of soul, doing their part in winning lost souls;
8. Every member tithing - their time, talents and income.

"May the Holy Spirit lead us everyone, every minute, in advancing Christ's Kingdom to the honor and glory of God."

Community Service

The church looked after others by giving to hospitals and helping the community. A Young People's class and Vacation Bible School was started.

Resilience Through Trials

With the church in trouble in July of 1956, Brother James Quincey from Pine Grove Baptist Church delivered an inspirational message. He asked that "any that would make a vow to God to come forward and knew that they would keep the doors of this church open as long as they live in this community. Even if everyone quits except the one that makes the vow. Even if he has to come here alone and pray and read scripture."

Nearly every member present came forward and made that vow. "May God help us and keep us now." This vow would be the glue that held the church together time and again.

Leadership Through the Decades

Brother Matthews resigned in September 1956. Brother Willis Cason was licensed and ordained to preach and became pastor. During his term, Brother Willis created a true church family.

During the early years, the church was renamed Concord Baptist Church and expanded with a sanctuary of block and outside restrooms. Air conditioning, new pews, outside lighting, carpet, a sign and a steeple were installed. As the church continued to grow, an annual Homecoming, Church Covenant, PA system and "inside bathrooms" were added.

Willis Cason, Lizzie King and Joe Ishie, were commended for taking the vow to keep the church doors open.

In February of 79, after more than 22 years as pastor, Brother Willis resigned as pastor and the next day was called home to be with the Lord.

In May 1979, Brother James Corbin was called. The church continued to enlarge by building porches, Sunday School rooms, a kitchen and purchasing a bus. Later that year, Brother Corbin resigned and Brother Ronald Cason was licensed.

In 1980, Brother Jimmy Couliette began to pastor. During this time, by-laws were made and a nursery was put into place. Brother Perry Geiger was called to pastor later that year and additional land was purchased from Mr. Graham to accommodate the growth. A fellowship meal was held every quarter, church bulletins were purchased along with items of furniture.

Brother Michael Brooks began to pastor in April of 1983. A mobile home was purchased and used as a pastorium. The church was incorporated and softball teams were sponsored. Two trips were made to Jamaica to teach Bible School and the first church directory was made.

During the March 1985 Homecoming, the history of the church was read and members told the history of the church.

In 1986, Brother Brooks resigned and Brother Tony Barber was called as pastor. The congregation continued to expand. To accommodate it, a wheelchair ramp was installed, a pole shed and bathrooms built, the and picnic tables and benches bought.

In December of 87, two acres were purchased and a new block pastorium was built. The sanctuary was enlarged and two Sunday School rooms were built. A church bus was purchased along with a copy machine. A basketball court was installed and an awning was added.

The church had a float in the Watermelon Festival parade and the youth took several mission trips.

In November of 91, Brother Tony resigned. The WMU ladies visited Seafarer's Ministries. We also started holding Children's Church.

In May of 92, Brother Danny Wilson began as pastor. The members of the church continue to reach out as they made trips to Homestead to minister to the victims of Hurricane Andrew and to the Panhandle to help clean up and assist flood victims. The church helped prison ministries and purchased water purifiers for missions in Indonesia. Support was given to a mission church in Fanning Springs and a high school scholarship given. Our youth went on missions to the Smokey Mountains and passed out tracts in town.

The sanctuary was enlarged and a new Sunday School building was added along with more picnic tables and benches. A newsletter was born and a "Joy Group" was started. The church supported "New Beginnings" as well as a petition to exclude "consumption on the premises" at the Fishing Hole on Manatee Highway.

In June of 98, Brother Wilson resigns. Brother Ray Scott began as interim pastor in January of 99. In March the same year Brother Wade Bridges is called to pastor. The church continues to grow and purchases computers, support members who go into the ministry and add a carport to the pastorium. We license Brother Preston Wilson to preach and we sponsor the Rosewood Mission.

In November of 2001, Robert Carter became pastor. Space again became limited and the decision was made to build a new fellowship hall and create more Sunday School rooms. The first "Hanging of the Green" ceremony and candlelight service was held, and a church cookbook was created. Financial Reports were distributed and the church purchased "In God We Trust" plaques to be placed in the high school.

In October of 2002, Robert Carter resigns. Jamie Brock became pastor in February 2003. The church continued to reach out by hosting missions from Haiti and Kenya. An account was set up at a local thrift store for members in need, the children supported troops in Iraq by sending shoebox gifts and the first Sunrise Service was held Easter 2003.

Summary

To see so clearly the way God works in our daily lives. He has shown compassion, given us hope and through trial, He has tested his follower's metal. He has risen His church from ashes time and time again, because He has a plan for us. Every pastor and every member had a roll to play. From Jack Matthews who opened the doors of the church and took it through fire by almost causing the church to split. To James Quincey, who God worked through to keep His church united. He has taken simple laymen like Willis Cason and used him to create a family in Christ and taken the church through trials.

From the early days of lamplight services to the modern era of community outreach, this church has demonstrated remarkable resilience and faith. The journey of this congregation shows how God works through faithful people to build His kingdom, one generation at a time.