• Anderson, Erroll
• Anderson, Mrs. Erroll
• Anderson, Lorn
• Anderson, Mrs. Lorn
• Anderson, Lorna K.
• Anderson, Janice
• Brannan, R. F.
• Brannan, Mrs. R. F.
• Brannan, Bill
• Brannan, Bobby
• Brannan, Suzanne
• Ballard, T. J.
• Ballard, Mrs. T. J.
• Brooks. John
• Brooks, Mrs. John
• Beck, Emily V.
• Boone, John
• Bryant, George
• Bryant, Mrs. George
• Bradshaw, E. L.
• Bradshaw, Mrs. E. L.
• Bradshaw, Gypsy Lou
• Brewer, Floyd
• Brewer, Mrs. Floyd
• Brewer, Lynda
• Brewer, Kevin
• Brewer, Neal
• Bunyard, Fredda Lois
• Brune, Sharon
• Brune, Linda
• Barber, Raymond R.
• Barber, Mrs. Raymond R.
• Cheaney, Mrs. Charles
• Clark, Buddie
• Carnes, Shirley
• Conyers, Janelle
• Daniel, Richard
• Daniel, Mrs. Richard
• Dallas, Bobbi
• Dallas, Dorothy A.
• Drake, Mrs. Davis
• Ellis, Granville
• Ellis, Mrs. Granville
• Ellis, Cloma Jean
• Edwards, Charles E.
• Edwards, Mrs. Charles E.
• Farmer, R. R.
• Farmer, Mrs. R. R.
• Farmer, Bobby
• Garvin, A. B.
• Garvin, Mrs. A. B.
• Goslin, Mrs. Margaret
• Grice, Ruth
• Grice, Catherine
• Grice, George
• Gewrin, Mrs. A. M.
• Goodson, Bob
• Goodson, Mrs. Bob
• Gann, P. C.
• Gann, Mrs. P. C.
• Hayes, John
• Hayes, Minnie
• Hayes, Mrs. J. D.
• Holland, Virginia
• Jackson, Willie Mae
• Johnson, W. A.
• Johnson, Mrs. W. A.
• Kilcrease, Bob
• Kilcrease, Mrs. Bob
• Kilcrease, Jimmy
• Kinard, Claude
• Kinard, Mrs. Claude
• Kinard, Suzanne
• Keller, W. W.
• Keller, Mrs. W. W.
• Layne, Ben
• Layne, Mrs. Ben
• Lewis, Robert
• Lewis, Polly
• Leach, Carlos
• Leach, Wilma
• Moore, Audra
• Moore, Jimmy
• Moore, Glenn
• Murphy, Sam
• Murphy, Mrs. Sam
• McCrary, Pat
• Melugin, Joe Earl
• Melugin, K. T.
• Melugin, Ramsey
• Melugin, Sue
• Mann, Pat. N.
• Mann, Evelyn
• McCrone, Dick
• McCrone, Mrs. Dick
• Myers, Jack
• Myers, Mrs. Jack
• Mitchell, Mary Lynn
• Neal, Mrs. Jean
• Neal, Johnny
• Neal, Michael
• Neal, Robert
• Neal, Mrs. Robert
• Neal, Everett
• Neal, Billy
• Neal, Oscar
• Neal, Jacqueline
• Neal, Margie
• Owens, Nina B.
• Puckett, J. S
• Puckett, Mrs. J. S
• Puckett, J. A.
• Puckett, Mrs. J. A.
• Rivoire, Mrs. Milton
• Roane, Owen
• Roane, Mrs. Owen
• Rucktashel, E. C.
• Rucktashel, Mrs. E. C.
• Rucktashel, Nicki
• Rucktashel, Monti
• Swindle, J. C.
• Swindle, Mrs. J. C.
• Taylor, Gladys
• Thomas, Tom
• Thomas, Katherine
• Thomas, Ulivia Jane
• Truitt, Rosa
• Truitt, Jewell
• Wagoner, Rex C
• Wagoner, Mrs. Rex C.
• Wagoner, Gretchen

One hundred and eight people gathered on July 13, 1955 on the lawn at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Kilcrease on Highway 82 for a prayer meeting led by Dr. Kermit Melugin.

Temple Baptist Charter Members— TBC 50th Anniversary Celebration (Front row L to R) Vera Rucktashel, Claudia Brewer, Juanita Anderson; (2nd row L to R) Mary Keller, Parker Rivoire, Monty Rucktashel Womack, Shirley Barber, Sandra Neal Day; (3rd row L to R) Suzanne Brannon Martin, Linda Joyner, Jane Kilcrease, Bob Brannon; (f4th row L to R) Kevin Brewer and Bill Brannon; (Not shown but present at the celebration) Robert Lewis and Bob Kilcrease.

Richard Daniel, after which Rex Waggoner led in prayer, led the group in congregational singing. After an inspirational message by Dr. Melugin, Mrs. J. C. Swindle sang, "Beyond the Sunset" accompanied by Suzanne Brannan. Bob Brannan then led the group in a discussion concerning the possibility of organizing a church. Many expressed their opinions and desires concerning this. After much discussion, Richard Daniel made a motion that a church be organized. Mrs. Audra Moore seconded it. The motion carried without opposition. Mrs. Emily Beck made a motion that Dr. Kermit Melugin be asked to lead in the endeavors and act as supply pastor. The motion was seconded by Tom Thomas and approved by the group. Ice cream and cake were served at the fellowship hour that followed.

The group met the following Sunday at Leonard Park for a church service. Bob Brannan passed his hat for an offering and $100.00 was collected. The offering was used to buy the first songbooks.

On July 22, 1955 a group of approximately 125 people gathered at the Robran Hall, 426 North Commerce Street, Gainesville, Texas. Reverends J. R. Smallwood, retired Baptist minister; Henry Mozingo, pastor of Calvary Baptist; H. L. Bullard, pastor of Custer City Baptist; Jack Strickland, Tabernacle Baptist; John B. Stepp Jr., Grand Avenue Baptist; Charles Luck, Denton County missionary; L. B. Reavis, Southwestern Baptist Seminary; J. D. Brannan, Ft. Worth District missionary and T. Hollis Epton, of Waxahachie formed the Presbytery necessary at the organization of a new church.

The congregation had unanimously agreed that they wished to organize a New-Testament Church to promote the Kingdom of God and to cooperate with the Cooke County Baptist Association and the Southern Baptist Convention. Epton made the motion, seconded by Smallwood, that the Presbytery was in favor of the organization.

Dr. Kermit Melugin had previously introduced the visiting pastors and presided for the meeting, which was opened with a song service conducted by Richard Daniel. Messieurs Luck, Mozingo, J. D. Brannan and Charles Bassett offered prayers.

Sanctuary 1959

J. D. Brannan stated the object of the meeting, saying that because of the blessings of this great country, America, when persons disagree they have the privilege of withdrawing and organizing a new church. He told the group they had a strong beginning and with their prayers and determination they could make a great success of their new venture. Mrs. Audra Moore, temporary clerk, read the 108 names that removed their membership from First Baptist Church, Wednesday, July 20th, and had signed as members of the new Temple Baptist. At the close of the meeting four new members were received. E. C. Rucktashel moved that charter membership be held open for thirty days from that Sunday. This was seconded by George Bryant and carried.

The district missionary then read the Articles of Faith from the J. P. Pendleton Manual and E. L. Bradshaw made the motion for adoption. After Smallwood read the Church Covenant, George Bryant and Mrs. J. C. Swindle moved for their adoption. John Hays moved to adopt the name of Temple Baptist and this was voted unanimously after a second by Tom Thomas. T. J. Bullard moved that Dr. Kermit Melugin be kept as supply pastor of the new church and Bob Brannan seconded the motion, which carried. An offering was taken for World Missions and $63.73 was turned over to the district missionary. Bryant made the motion, seconded by Miss Emily Beck that 11% of all regular income of the new church be given to the cooperative program. It carried.

Reavis made a short talk to the group congratulating their organization "with malice toward none", charity to all in service to the Lord." Epton, former pastor of the First Baptist Church eight years ago, was graciously received by the congregation and urged the members to "stay humble, sweet and prayerful, and Jesus will give the victory." He said they might take a familiar slogan as their motto, "The Forward Look". He then quoted a prayer of the late Peter Marshall, former chaplain of the U. S. Senate, "Father, look down in our hearts and shift the gears that we may go forward with Thee".

A nominating committee composed of Rex and Mildred Wagoner, T. J. Bullard, Bob Brannan, Lorn Anderson, George Thomas, E.C. Rucktashel and W. W. Keller presented a list of proposed candidates for church officers. The list of officers was then read and the committee explained that the list was selected so that nearly every family was represented. John Hayes moved that the list be accepted and the motion carried.

Meetings will be held in Robran’s Hall until the new church building is built. The ground committee stated they had selected a site, which will be announced later.

“We must be patient with each other and with God. Acorns do not make big oaks over night. Nor do mushrooms afford shade and protection. Our gratitude should ever be to God not only for what we have but also for what we are to enjoy in the future. The Christian Life is freighted with the joy of keen anticipation, “Call upon me and I will show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” Count our blessings, yes, but let us rejoice in the happy surprises that await us. The truth is we should not be surprised at any good thing that may come our way, “for the Lord is in this place.” Let us be keenly alert and solicitous of them who are looking for Christian love and fellowship as our church affords in a most peculiar way.”

“It might be interesting to observe that since our church was organized twenty-one Sundays back; we have received $13,292.32 or an average per Sunday of $633.00. This needs no comment, except gratitude to God for his blessings on us.”

• Nursery- Mrs. J. C. Swindle, 508 West California
• Beginners- at the church
• Primaries- T. J. Bullard’s office, North Dixon
• Junior Girls- Tom Thomas, 601 Moran
• Junior Boys- Lorn Anderson, 302 Andrew
• Intermediate & Senior- Floyd Brewer, 222 Blanton
• Young People & Adults- at the church”

Ground breaking took place on April 21, 1957 and we moved into the Educational Building on August 18, 1957. Our first year of attending church started in the Robran Building. We moved to the Tamale-ette Building due to growth. The summer of 1956 was terribly hot. Mr. Vernie Keel offered his sanctuary to us for about three months. Church was there in the sanctuary and Sunday School was in several member’s homes and in some businesses.

Temple purchased their first piece of property on February 16, 1956. The wonderful day of ground breaking came on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1957 when the first ground was turned starting a perpetual building program. The first phase of building was underway and the hearts of the people rejoiced in God’s wonderful blessings.

On August 25, 1957 the people of Temple Baptist Church dedicated their first unit, which housed educational space and a temporary auditorium. This building was equipped with a modern kitchen and fellowship hall, used for church socials, banquets, and wedding receptions. Careful planning was used in designing the present building to make it readily adaptable to the expanding program.

Exactly two years after the temporary auditorium and educational building of Temple Baptist Church was started, the church began the main sanctuary. Ground was broken Easter Sunday, April 21, 1959. Visitors were invited to witness the ground breaking at 11:45 A.M. This was a historical occasion for the membership of the church, which was organized July 22, 1955. When the new sanctuary was completed, the church had constructed buildings in excess of one hundred thousand dollars. The present building were clear of debt. The new building will have a seating capacity of 250 and plans were made in compliance with the latest methods being used by Southern Baptist in church architecture.

The church was unable to borrow money to construct the new sanctuary. The church decided to issue bonds and sell them to anyone wanting to buy them. The program was called the Broadway Plan. Bonds were issued in denominations of $50, $100, $250, $500 and $1,000. These bonds paid an interest rate of 5% and were very popular with investors. All people of the church bought bonds and as they matured, some placed the bond in the offering plate as a gift. The bonds maturity dates were one to fourteen years.

The new sanctuary at Temple Baptist Church was dedicated on March 6, 1960. Dr. Jerry Vardaman, who served the young church while he was teaching in Fort Worth, was guest speaker. Prior to this dedicating talk, J. A. Owen, the general contractor, made a presentation of the building.

Historical mementos of the church were enclosed in the cornerstone following the service. The pastor announced the new sanctuary would be open during daylight hours for anyone who wished to use the place for meditation and prayer.

• First Building—Educational $15,000-$25,000
• Sanctuary $70,000-$75,000
• Educational Wing—Children’s building $85,000
• Educational Building $120,000
• CLC Multi-purpose Building $1,500,000