FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TOWANDA
205 W. Monroe
Towanda, IL 61776 Many articles and notes have been presented about the Towanda Baptist Church and it's history. With God's grace and blessings, the church has been in service since 1856. We are celebrating 150 years in 2006. It is the only active church in the Village of Towanda at this time. A brief review of the first 100 years: The church was founded in a meeting at Smith Grove in February 1856, at which time 3 people were baptized - Adam Livingston, Sen. Dewitt Livingston and Mary King. Six others were received by letter. The 9 members organized the church, with the first minister being a Scotsman, Rev. Karn. In 1859 a lot was purchased in Towanda from Jesse Fell for $1.00. The logs for the first church were hand-hewn by Sam Marsh. The building was completed in 1861 at a cost of $2,000. In 1869 the present structure was built on land donated to the church by James Langley. Over the years the church has been remodeled, including a basement being dug to accommodate the Sunday School classes, a modern kitchen, and toilet facilities. In November of 1876, Deacon Langley donated a post to be erected as a hitching rack. Also in 1876, the first organ was donated to the church by Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Macy. In 1879 the church was presented with a silver communion set which is still used on special occasions. This set was shipped from England. The walnut wood from the organ was later made into our present pulpit by Brother Albert Michael. A large Bible, copyrighted in 1895 is the normal centerpiece displayed on the table in the front of the church. In 1887 an offering after communion was started to help the poor, and later to assist the aged ministers and their wives.
In 1910, the north Sunday School room with basement and furnace was added for a cost of $600. In 1933, the church celebrated its' 77th Anniversary with speaker Rev. U.V. White from Delavan. Special music was provided by the Delavan Quartet. During 1945, a basement was put in under the entire church with the work being done by members. Also in 1945 the church sponsored the first chapter for the Boy Scouts of Towanda with the help of Rev. Horace Evans, Mr. Hanes, Perry McKay. Oren Anderson assisted Scout Leader James Hutton. During the Centennial Service held in the church in 1956, those who had passed on were remembered. Pastor since 1956 Rev. Roy Bailey moved to Florida, and took many memories with him. Rev. Davis soon became our Pastor. In April of 1963 a special dedication service was held for the remodeled sanctuary with the supervision of Oren Anderson and Richard Nice. Also at the same time, our beautiful baptistery picture was presented to the church by Mrs. Lillian Michael. Her daughter Mrs. Lois Gibson and grandson Richard Nice, Jr. helped with the painting. In 1973 the church joined the American Baptist Convention of the Great Rivers Region - Area III. In 1975 the upper room was remodeled under the supervision of Oren Anderson by fellow church members. New front doors were added in the summer of 1983. In 1989 we were extremely blessed when Rev. Moore came and brought with him his wife Velma and sister-in-law Maxine Sewell. These 2 ladies became the church organist and pianist, respectively, and provided leadership in spiritual singing. Rev. Moore has since passed on, but the 2 sisters remain as important members of our church and still hold their leadership responsibilities.
In 1998 the parsonage was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Nafziger. In 2005 a storm damaged the 2 large fur trees in front of the church and had to be removed. This year the new sign in the yard was added and helps promote our cause and the goodwill of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are continually blessed with our Pastor Cal Gowen, who recently retired from State Farm Insurance. As the beginning organizers of our church stated, "God is our only hope." We today agree with the founders of the First Baptist Church of Towanda and extend our blessings to all. Following is a partial list of Pastors:
Rev. Cairuis Rev. G. Wilson Bro. Frances Naylor Elder J. Thomas Bro. Terry Rev. J.B. Brown Bro. Dil Akers Bro. E.T. Dye Bro. Sage Bro. D.J. Evans Bro. Edw. McCane J.B. Brown Rev. Tandy Rev. C.T. O'Hara Rev. O'Donnel Rev. George Nicolson Rev. Fred Johnson Rev. E.W. Harden Rev. R.V. Sanders Rev. Daviess Rev. Gilbert Miles Rev. Fred Johnson Rev. Reed Horace G. Evans Michael Ewake Rev. R.J. Zehr Rev. Norman Moore Rev. Horace Evans Rev. Roy Bailey Pastor Marvin Kiper Rev. Walter Davis Pastor Marvin Kiper 1856 1863 1866 1867 1880 1889 1891 1893 1894 1899 1901 1905 1907 1907 1909 1910 1911 1914 1914 1915 1922 1933 1941 1942 1946 1947 1948 1951 1953 1953 1956 1964 Dr. Richard Schuermann David Zimmerman John Reynolds Rev. Zern Slater Rev. Shobe Pastor David Reynolds Pastor Charles Mants Bill Anderson Rev. Ray Snow Arthur Rude Jack Moody Jerome Downing Rev. Calvin Lee Rev. Barney Moore Rev. Calvin Lee Rev. Andy Hawkins Kevin Mounce Rev. Cheri Grizzard Pastor Cal Gowen to Present 1967 1969 1971 1972 1975 1976 1977 1979 1980 1982 1984 1984 1986 1989 1998 1999 2002 2004 2004
Church Deacons/Deaconesses: Eddie Baize, Sr., Lyle Merritt, Roy Redding, Eddie Baize, Jr. Rose Remschner, Maxine Sewell, Roxa Baize, Janice Leuchtenberg
Sunday School Teachers:
Patty McKain .............................................. Preschool Stacy Yordy ................................................ Preschool Substitute Roxa Baize ......................................... .......Beginners Sandy Porter .............................................. Primary KimLudwig .............................................. ...Youth Sharon Rutledge... ...................................... All Youth Substitute Eddie Baize, Jr. ........................................ ...Adult Roy Redding............................................ ...Adult Substitute
Church Leaders: Pastor........................................................Cal Gowen Moderator ..................................................Roy Redding Treasurer................................................... Marge Redding Church Clerk & Secretary ..........................Sandy Porter Trustees ....................................................Lyle Merritt, Eddie Baize, Sr. Joe Leuchtenberg Music Director ........................................... Lyle Merritt Pianist .... , ................................................. Maxine Sewell Organist .................................................... Velma Moore Sunday School Superintendents ................. Lyle Merritt, Adult Sandy Porter, Children Children's Music & Program Leaders .......... Sandy Porter, Patty McKain, Roxa Baize Custodian .................................................... Roxa Baize Vacation Bible School Directors .................. Sandy Porter, Patty McKain, Kim Ludwig, Roxa Baize Sunday School Clerk .................................Rose Remschner Ushers..................................................... ..Adam Richard, Kyle McKain, Nathan Edwards Church Organizations: Women's Missionary, Mission Committee, Worship & Planning Committee, Youth Group, Church Improvement Missions That We Support: Huddleson Home, White Cross, America for Christ, One Great Hour of Sharing, Clare House, M&M, World Missions, Friendship House, Love Gift, Local Support, Samaritan's Purse Benevolent Fund Committee Members: Worship & Planning: Lyle Merritt, Velma Moore, Maxine Sewell, Sandy Porter, Roxa Baize, Janice Leuchtenberg Mission: Roxa Baize, Rose Remschner, Maxine Sewell Church Improvement: Lyle Merritt, Sandy & Doug Porter, Eddie Baize, Jr., Joe Leuchtenberg
