1947
March Willian Kinman, a former Interim Pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Hawthorne cared enough for the people of Babbitt to start a mission there. They met in his home in the beginning and later in some of the other members homes.
October A revival was held with Rev. R. A. McKay as evangelist. He acted as moderator when a meeting was called to organize the group into an Independent Baptist Church. The group organized into "Babbitt Calvary Baptist Church", adopting the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant of the First Baptist Church with some minor changes. Those signing the Charter at this time were:
They voted to leave the charter open for thirty days. Bro. Kinman was elected Pastor without pay. The U. S. Navy graciously gave the church use of a duplex house rent free and with permission to remodel it for the needs of the church. At the end of the thirty days, the following signed the charter:
December The following officers were elected:
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Sunday School Superintendant - Ben E. Felts, Sr.
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Treasurer - Mrs. L. A. Mahoney
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Clerk & Pianist - Mrs. Retha Abrams
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Deacons - Ben Felts, Sr., Lester Hampton
1948
April A Committee was appointed to investigate and seek information from both the Southern and American Baptist Conventions in regard to becoming affiliated with one of them. Contacts were made and information secured. The Committee reported in favor of the Southern Convention. Those on the Committee were the Pastor, Ben Felts, Sr., and Lester Hampton.
August The Pastor announced a called business meeting at the close of the Sunday School Service the following Sunday. Business meeting called to order as announced. Motion made, seconded and passed unanimously to request fellowship with the Southern Baptist Convention via the Sacramento Valley Association of California. Bro. Kinman offered his resignation to be effective at the time of his replacement.
September Mr. and Mrs. Ben Felts, Sr. and Mrs. Abrams, Church Clerk went to Auburn, California to present the petitionary letter. The request was discussed and Area Missionary Rev. E. W. Moon was asked to investigate the church relative to soundness of doctrine, organization, etc., and to report at the Annual Meeting in October.
October Church voted to cancel the original Church Covenant and Articles of Faith and to adopt those in the Pendleton Baptist Church Manual. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Felts, Sr., and Mrs. Abrams attended the Annual Meeting of the Sacramento Valley Association at Oroville, California. Rev. Moon made his report and recommended that Calvary Church of Babbitt be received into fellowship. The vote was unanimous to his report. The Sacramento Valley Association consisted of two areas. The Northern becoming Sacramento-Sierra Association. Babbitt Calvary chose to go with the Sacramento-Sierra Association.
History was made. Babbitt Calvary Baptist Church with 32 members became the First Southern Baptist Church in the state of Nevada, and remained the only one in the state until 1951 when Boulder City First Baptist was organized. It was the only one in Western Nevada until 1954.
November The church called Rev. E. E. Smedley as pastor at $42.00 per week. First Budget adopted. $55.00 per week.
1949
January Rev. Smedley moved on the field
1950
September Rev. Smedley resigned because of ill health. Four baptisms and several by letter were added to the church during his ministry.
September '50—January '51 Church was without a pastor. The laymen carried on with help from the missionary, Rev. Moon.
1951
January—June Gene Chism served as supply pastor.
July Gene Chism was called as pastor. He was ordained to the ministry. The Ordination Council consisted of Dr. Turner of the California Convention, Missionary Moon and Pastors of the Sacramento Valley Associoation.
1952
The Church outgrew their limited space and had Sunday School classes in the homes of Ben Felts and Pastor Chism.
December Calvary Baptist Church Babbitt moved to Hawthorne and held services in the Civic Center at a cost of $20.00 a week and doing all the janitor work. The name was changed to Calvary Hawthorne.
1953
January The church started a mission in Yerington. Chales Day was pastor.
April Church voted to purchase lots on 10th Street. Purchased present parsonage.
September Church was incorporated under Nevada State Law.
1954
July Church voted to buy present property on 5th and C Streets. Lot with large old residence for $9,000.00. Church had $4,000.00 in building fund. Issued and sold $6,000.00 in Broadway Bonds. The old residence was remodeled to be used for Sunday School and Church.
November Held first service in church owned property.
Late Yerington Mission was organized into First Baptist Church of Yerington.
1955
The church associated with Feather River Association and became a charter member of the Nevada Baptist Association. Mission started in Fallon. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Mendenhall conducted services for a time.
1956
July Rev. Chism offered his resignation. He wanted to go to California Baptist College to further his education. Rev. Chism's resignation was accepted as read the previous Sunday. During his 5 year pastorate there were additions by baptism 115 and by letter 71.
August Church extended a call to Rev. Homer Davenport of Portland, OR.
September Rev. Davenport began his pastorate.
1957
April Church issued $20,000.00 in Broadway Bonds to construct the first unit of the new building plan.
June Rev. Davenport Resigned.
July Rev. Anderson came as pastor from Palo Alto, California.
August Ground breaking for new building 40' x 80'. Building constructed mostly by free labor by members and friends of the church.
November Held first service in new building.
1958
Started mission in Gabbs. Discontinued services in fall 1960. Mission started in Tonopah.
1959
October Rev. Anderson resigned. The new building was constructed during his pastorate. A call was extended to Rev. W.P. Brian of Palmdale, CA.
1960
January Rev. Brian began his ministry. Bro. Francis became pastor of Tonopah Mission. Fallon Mission organized into Fallon First Southern Baptist Church. The church started and supplied teachers and leadership for a night Sunday School at Lee Vining, CA. Discontinued in 1961.
1962
August Rev. Brian resigned.
September Rev. Charles Day called as pastor.
1965
August Rev. Day resigned. Tonopah Mission organized into Tonopah First Baptist Church.
October Rev. James Minnis called as pastor.
1967
July Church recommended to "extend an arm" to Mina.
September Church changed name to First Southern Baptist Church.
1968
July Church accepted Rev. Minnis resignation.
August Rev. Bernard Ford became pastor. He lead the church in redecorating the interior and purchasing new pews.
June Church voted to give permission to Walker Lake Mission to organize into a church which they did on June 30, 1973.
October Silver Anniversary of Southern Baptist work in Nevada meeting at First Southern Hawthorne. Rev. Ford resigned. He went to Blytheville, Arkansas.
December Rev. Tom Bacon was called as pastor.
1974
January Rev. Bacon and members of our church started holding services on Sunday afternoon at the Community Chapel in Mina. A church survey was made in Mina.
May Weekly hospital ministry began.
1975
Summer Under leadership of John and Karin Miller, Youth Directors, and Missions Chairman Dwayne Howell, and extensive missions program was planned. A summer Missions Team came to help in Vacation Bible School at Lee Vining and June Lake, CA, Mina and Gabbs, Nev., as well as Hawthorne. A similar schedule was followed the next year with resort ministries being started at Bridgeport, June Lake and Mammoth, Calif. Work at Bridgeport prepared the ground work for permanent work there and at Mammoth.
1976
August Church hosted an ordination service for Harvey Broadway of the Tonopah Church and Ernie Hewett of Walker Lake Church.
1977
September Ground breaking for Educational Building.
1978
October Dedication of new building and celebration of Thirtieth Anniversary of the church.
1979
October Hosted First Annual Meeting of Nevada Area Southern Baptist Convention.
1980
May Rev. Bacon resigned to become Director of Missions for the Lahonton and Northwest Nevada Associations. During his 6 1/2 years as pastor a mission was started at Bridgeport which later became a church. Mission preaching was established in Mina and Silverpeak.
Summer Vacation Bible School was held in Silver Peak sponsored and conducted by our church. 18 people were baptized at the close of the school in the swimming pool at Silver peak.
September Rev. J.R. Sammons was called as pastor.
1981
January Fund was set up to paint, carpet and furnish a Prayer Room in memory of Mary Nell Jackson.
March Church van was purchased. Trigonous sign hut was erected on corner of 5th and C Streets by member Barney Horn.
October Larry Thompson was licensed to the ministry.
1982
April Church voted that it release the Bridgeport property to the Bridgeport California Church, and have our name removed from the sign.
June Rev. Sammons last Sunday with us. He resigned to go to Temple Baptist in Sparks, Nevada.
July A call was extended to Rev. Paul Chambliss to come as pastor.
August Rev. Chambliss first Sunday with us as pastor.
September It was voted to remove restrooms from front of building so that space could be used for a church office.
October A Babbitt house was transported to Mina. After remodeling, it was to be used as a mission and home for the pastor until living quarters were provided.
November Rev. Allen Hopkins came as mission pastor.
1983
March A church piano was donated to Mina Mission.
September Church voted to sponsor new missions at Montgomery Pass and Chalfant Valley, CA. Ministry to be under Craig McElvany with help form Rev. Allen Hopkins. Craig McElvany was licensed to preach.
1984
June A linkage was established with Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, Louisianna when a grop of their people came and redecorated and painted the auditorium and most of the other rooms of the church as well as having Vacation Bible School.
Ausust Due to serious illness of his wife, Gladys, Rev. Chambliss resigned. Rev. Allen Hopkins was in the pulpit.
October Rev. Ron Trummell of the Tonopah Church became Interim Pastor.
November Rev. Craig McElvany resigned as pastor to Chalfant Mission. Rev. Allen Hopkins and a layman, Ron Whipple to minister there for the time being.
October '84—July '85 During this time we were blessed by having our Missions Pastor and most of those on the staff at our Convention Office in Reno, including Dr. Ernie Myers, come and minister to us.
1985
June Church voted to extend a call to Rev. Ernie Hewett of Granbury, Texas to come as our pastor.
July He accepted the call with July 7 being his first Sunday in the pulpit.
September Church voted to discontinue Chalfant Valley Mission and to pick up Gabbs and Middlegate Missions.
October Silver Peak Mission sponsorship turned over to the Tonopah Church. Rev. and Mrs. B.D. Powell of Sulphur, Louisiana came for a few days to help our church in conducting a People Search and Bible Distribution in Hawthorne.
1986
March Rev. Hewett submitted his resignation effective March 9.
April Rev. Bob McDuffie was called as pastor. He accepted the call. April 20 was the first Sunday with Rev. McDuffie as pastor.
October Mr. and Mrs. Ken Overton, members of our church who bought property near Yerington and were moving there, felt led of God to donate their property in Hawthorne to the church. Property consisted of a lot with a mobile home and a garage.
November Rev. Allen Hopkins resigned to go to a new work in Las Vegas area. Church voted to buy property across the street to be used as a parking lot
1987
February Church voted to extend a call to Rev. Troy Gourley to pastor Mina, Luning, Gabbs and Middlegate Missions. He accepted and was in the pulpit the following Sunday.
July Rev. Troy Gourley was ordained into Gospel Ministry at our church. Our pastor and Rev. Lee Eudy, pastor of Walker Lake Church, preached the ordination sermons. Special music was provided by Rev. Norman Lewis our Director of Missions.
1988
March "Friend Day" A goal of 76 had been set for Sunday School attendance. There were 115 present. This was the first time the church had surpassed the 100 mark in 30 years.
May Property on "H" street sold. Money used to remodel parsonage. Church voted to have 40th year celebration of it's organization on October 2.
1989
November Pastor McDuffie resigned. Glenn Davis was elected to serve as moderator while we were without a Pastor. Pulpit Committee elected Andrea Davis, Dewey Dobson, Anna Howell, Jewell Smith, Vernon Hagan, Yvonne Vaughan and Steve Wood.
1990
March Jarrell Jones called as Pastor.
April He began his ministry.
1994
March Sunday School attendance was 112 for the month.
1995
2 weeks of VBS with 244 enrolled average attendance was 213.
1996
2 weeks of VBS with 244 enrolled Average attendance was 209.
1997
Adopted Mission Statement for the church.
1998
September Adopted New Constitution
October Lura Howell resigned as Church Clerk after 26 years. The church celebrated by presenting her with a plaque.
December Key Ministry Leaders were elected: Henry Flatt, Steven Hagen, and Toby West.
Average Morning Worship Attendance 106
Sunday School 105
1999
Purged the church membership roll
January-February Monthly Day of Prayer with 22 each day.
March Yvonne Vaughan became Treasurer & still functions well in that capacity
September First Southern committed financial support of $100.00/ month to Lahontan & High Desert Association for development of Hispanic work in Bishop or Mammoth, CA.
During the church's 50 years, there were, 16 charter members (Nona Farnsworth only resident charter member now).
2000
June Pastor Jarrell Jones resigned. Several small group Bible Studies. Voted to support Lura Howell's great-niece in missions.
August Voted to remodel parsonage.
October Voted to call Rev. Gerald Etherton as pastor.
2001
March Voted to remodel bathrooms & front approach.
June Patricia Flatt elected Director of Children's Ministries.
September 1-1/2 acres north of town donated by Andrea Davis. Started AWANA program.
2002
June Voted to remodel platform & baptistery & new furnaces
September Steve Swindler elected Children's Ministries Director. First Southern started monthly community prayer meeting.
2003
July Pastor Gerald Etherton resigned effective in October.
August Voted to ask Tom Bacon to be interim pastor starting 9-1-03.
September Andrea Wallis resigned as church clerk.
2004
March Voted to build float for Armed Forces Day & hand out free bottles of water with Scripture on.
April Children's Church began with Austin & Dorothy Grimes. 6-7-8 club at Tina & Fred Wurster's home. Mission Celebration at Convention Center to be held.
June Called Blake Orr as Pastor.
2005
April Installed a new lighted sign & new carpet in fellowship hall. Church entered into agreement whereby David Duff & Co. would build a structure for Dennis Isom in exchange for lots on D St.
May Supported Smith Valley Mission Trip with $400.00.
Fall Re-carpeted Sanctuary & replaced pews with chairs.
2006
March Sybil McQueen elected Church Clerk
June Spent $1000.00 for BOMB Baptist Missions on Blitz to start work in Mina. Mina Mission Committee was formed. Warren & Linda Stevens & Errol & Vivian Almond.
October TeamKID started for winter with 20 children attending. Pastor started New Members Class.
2007
January Warren Stevens providing preaching in Yomba as well as Mina. Henry Flatt providing Bible teaching in Gabbs on Monday evenings.
March First Southern to participate in Community-wide Easter Drama to be held at school.
September Pastor Blake Orr resigned. Cal Lattin, John George, & Lou Bain were elected trustees. Leroy Avery passed away.
October Warren Stevens was elected as interim pastor. Dr. Robert Petrere cleared to teach seminary classes & submitted theology statement & statement of faith. Dennis Swindler & Cliff West was elected as trustees to replace 2 & serve with John George. Pastor Search Committee active.
November Sharen Swindler selected to go to Glorieta with NV state team to VBS clinic.
2008
January Austin & Dorothy Grimes returning & interested in starting children's church & TeamKID. Austin Grimes passed away.
February Tina Wurster & Vivian Almond continue faithfully leading ladies Bible Studies. Ministers Association organized & held Community Revival.
March Church committed to local VBS and to supply Yomba.
April Church collected 1,500.00 for Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Called Robert Wilson as Pastor with wife, Christa, and children, Kyla, Lydia, & Grant.
June Jonathan Wilson was born to Pastor Bob & Christa.
PASTORS
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William Kinman 1947-1948
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E.E. Smedley Jan. 1948-Sept. 1950
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Gene Chism Jan. 1951-July 1956
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Homer Davenport Sept. 1956-June1957
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J.C. Anderson July 1957-Oct. 1959
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W.P. Brian Jan. 1960-Aug. 1962
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Charles Day Sept. 1962-Aug.1965
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Jim Minnis Oct. 1965-July 1968
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Bernard Ford Aug. 1968-Oct.1973
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Tom Bacon Dec. 1973-May 1980
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J.R. Sammons Sept. 1980-June 1982
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Paul Chambliss Aug. 1982-Aug. 1984
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Supply Pastors Nov. 1984-June 1985
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Ernie Hewett July 1985-Jan. 1986
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Bob McDuffie April 1986-May 1989
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Jarrell Jones April 1990-Aug. 2000
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Gerald Etherton Oct. 2000-Oct. 2003
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Blake Orr June 2004-Aug. 2007
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Robert Wilson May 2008-present
