Our church was founded in 1939. The first sanctuary was built in 1941 and the building was dedicated on August 1941. Their first pastor was Rev. E.S. Ridgeway (1940 – 1950).
Charter Members
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Barber – Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bordelon – Miss Lillie Barber – Mr. and Mrs. Homer Mantooth Sr. – Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Regan – Mr. and Mrs. Grady Stover Mr. and Mrs. William C. Worrell – Miss Pauline Petty – Mr. and Mrs. Alver Worrell – Mr. Bob Worrell – Mr. Bill Worrell – Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt Worrell – Mr. James Smith Worrell – Mr. James W. Worrell – Mr. and Mrs. M.C. Reynolds – Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Williams – Mr. James Reynolds – Mr. Charles Williams – Miss Nyna Holt – Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Worrell
1939 – 1948
A number of Baptists had been attending a community church and felt a strong need for a Baptist witness in the Sylvan Hills Community of North Pulaski County. The church was organized at a close of a brush arbor revival meeting in October, 1939, with 35 charter members.
“We, your committee, have examined the letter from the Sylvan Hills Baptist Church, and the letter from Woodson Baptist Church, and find that they have been organized according to the practices of Baptists. We, therefore, recommend that these two churches be admitted in the Pulaski Baptist Association.” Signed, O.A. Greeleaf + Otto Sutton
Note taken from 1939 Associational Minutes
1949 – 1958
A number of improvements to the church building were made during the forties. In 1950 Bro. Ridgeway resigned after a productive ten year ministry. In the next decades the church saw many baptisms of new converts. Church building improvements were made as the Lord added to our number. In May of 1950 fans were purchased for the auditorium for $20. Then in June, 1951 fans were purchased for the Sunday school rooms. Mr. Don Moseley notes, interestingly when the pastor installed a phone in his home, the church immediately voted to take the church phone out.
1959 – 1968
One of the special people who served the congregation over the years is Marie Reinke. Marie was appointed Church Clerk in October, 1959. She has served as church and financial secretary. In July, 1960 the deacons saw a need for building expansion. They proposed in the following ten years that a three-building plan would be established. The first phase would be an educational building. The second phase was a new auditorium. The third phase was to add a third floor to the educational building. By November, 1960 plans were presented for church approval. The Building Committee members in charge of this project were: H.B. Anderson, Chariman Joe Boerner, Sr., Dwight Cummings, Ken Lilly, Paul Harrell, John Martin Sr., Gorman Robinson, Earl Sorrells, Mrs. Robert Baker, and Mrs. James Flack. This building was completed and dedicated in July, 1961.
In March, 1961, the churches on the north side of the Arkansas River decided to establish their own work seperate from the Pulaski Baptist Association. The North Pulaski Baptist Association was formed and our church voted unanimously to join this new association of Baptist churches. The first annual meeting was hosted by our church on October 17th, 1961.
One church member to note is Alyce Polos. She served for 26 years to the association as the Women’s Missionary Union Director. We are thankful for her service not only to our church, but to many churches in our area through the North Pulaski Baptist Association.
An interesting event during this time period was when a church family gifted a pool table to be used in the youth ministry. There seemed to be much concern over whether a pool table should be used at the church or not. Finally, a secret ballot was taken to determine whether to accept the gift or not. The vote was 43 for and 22 against. However, the family making the offer withdrew their offer in the interest of unity of fellowship.
In July, 1973, Bro. George Pirtle resigned. In September, 1973, Rev. John Keller was called to serve as Interim Pastor and transitioned to permanent pastor in December, 1973. In June, 1975 Keller left the pastorate. In November, 1975 the church extended the call to a Rev. Don Moseley.
He began in December, 1975. The Pulpit committee serving was: J.C. Pankey, Chairman Maggie Griffis, Bill Cottingham, Nancy McKowan, and Norman Matthews. Helen Pollard, and Phillip Richards were alternates.
In January, 1976, a Property Expansion Fund was established with a goal of $40,000 cash. The purpose of this was to buy the Hogan house. A day of prayer and fasting was scheduled to precede the first of four offerings. Much excitement was developing as the church had never taken a single offering in that amount before. To add to the excitement, the city of Sherwood deeded to us the small section of land which we now use as our Day Care playground. The church had maintained the property many years since it would be used for children, they thought the church would best develop it. The church met their goal and joyfully and exuberantly sang, “To God Be The Glory.”
The Abundant Life Day Care Center began operation on June, 1978 and was licensed by the state of Arkansas for 100 students. It began with three children and two workers: Elena Key and JoAnn Cox. In the Fall of 1978, Nina Bell was hired as Day Care Director.
The Abundant Life Day Care Camping program began in June of 1977 as an annual summer program. This ministry was led by Ken Blackwell and was geared to reach grades 1-6.
The first youth missions trip was planned to Washington D.C. in 1977. The youth missions has taken trips all over the country including Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Wyoming.
In the Fall of 1977 the church approved the beginning of Abundant Life Kindergarten. This program was designed for four and five year-old children. The curriculum used was A Beka, which was produced by Pensacola Christian Schools. Mary McAlister was a faithful teacher. She was dedicated to her work and her belief in the mission of the school that she taught her first year without a salary.
The Abundant Life Mother’s Day Out program begun in September, 1977. Mrs. Faye Downs was hired as director.
In November 1977, Bill Cottingham, Chairman of Deacons, and Bro. Moseley presented the following names that were approved to serve as a new Long Range Planning Committee: Hardy Bell, Chairman, Hank Crowe, Bob Panzer, Martha Cratin, Bill Cottingham, Harold Walden, Duey Hatton, J.C. Pankey, James McAlister, Alyce Polos, and Jim Huffman.
By March, 1978 the “Together We Build” Steering Committee had been elected and had begin the great task of developing spiritual and financial resources for making the vision become a reality. The Steering Committee members were: James McAlister, Campaign Director, Bill Cottingham, Frank Shamburger, Bob Carpenter, Faye Downs, Martha Cratin, Perla Shelton, Harold Walden, and Charles Wilson. The theme for the campaign would be as follows: “Not for equal giving, but equal sacrifice.” The grand total that was committed was $300,142 to be given over three years. That was a great victory and generated more enthusiasm than the church had seen in many years.
In February of 1978, the Abundant Life Tape Ministry had begun. Bro Hardy Bell got the ministry going, and Bro. Tobe Downs directed it for several years. In September of 1981 the church called Hardy Bell to serve full time as Minister of Media and Outreach. The church ordained Bell in November of 1978.
-More to be Added-
*The History of SHFBC was kept for many years by Mrs. Catherine Johnston. The reason it has been preserved so well is because of her dedication to collect, organize, and archive such a sweet history of this church. She is owed many thanks for her lending of many of the materials you see on this page.
**Much thanks is owed to Rev. Don Moseley (1975 – 2004). He compiled the churches history in the 50th anniversary book he researched, recorded, and wrote! Many of the words you read on this page are his.
***Ms. Chris Collins served as our summer intern (2023) where she copied, scanned, and uploaded many of the pictures you see on this page. Our church is grateful for her hard work in making this project possible!