Over 100 Years of History…
Rosedale Baptist Church was started early in the 1920’s by several Baptist families located in and around Rosedale. Dr. C.S. White purchased the lot where our church is located and donated it to the Baptists to be used to build a church. His wife, Bertha White was Baptist. This lot was purchased on November 5, 1921 for the sum of $200.00.
On July 13, 1923, a group met to discuss the organization of a church. Rev. Ray Banks was the minister of the group. He was paid a salary of $30.00 per month. Rev. Banks acted as moderator and with the assistance of Will Houghton the group decided the church should be named First Missionary Baptist Church of Rosedale. The group set up a tent on the grounds where the church now stands and services were held.
In the early years, Mr. Lee Owens, Sr. moved his family to Rosedale. Mr. Owens was the Principal for Rosedale High School and was an ardent Baptist and very desirous of having a church in Rosedale. He and many others of the town donated many hours of planning and labor to start building the church we have today. The basement was constructed of cement blocks and would be used as a place of worship until the money could be raised to build the sanctuary. This was the beginning of the building we have today.
It has been said that there was disagreement as to the entry of the church. Some wanted it facing east and other facing south. The day came to start the basement and someone arrived early and excavated for the footing, placing the entrance facing southeast. There it has remained. The basement was used for eight years. In June of 1932 the members decided to complete the church and build the sanctuary. The building was completed in only two months’ time. Despite depression conditions, the church was paid for in only one year.
The group wanted a church that would be effective for spreading the gospel. They adopted the “Articles of Faith” and the “Covenant” in accordance with the practice of other Baptist churches in the near-by communities. John Yowell and Lee Owens were chosen as the first Deacons. Other officers chosen to serve the newly organized church were Trustees John Foster, John Yowell, and Charles Armstrong. Mary Strahle, clerk; Beulah Johnson, treasurer; and Lee Owens, Sr., moderator.
Rosedale Baptist Church 