First Baptist Church Milford, Texas Contributed by Jean Caddel Copied from a program leaflet of the Centennial Observation, 1955 "A Century With Christ" Phase 1, 1855-1912 Dr. J. M. Higgins called a meeting of Baptists in the town of Milford, Ellis County, Texas on the second Sunday of July, 1855, for the purpose of organizing a church. A sermon was preached by J. M. Perry who was chosen as moderator pro-tem. Eleven Charter members constituted the membership of the church which came to being in Doctor Higgins home which was located on the present site of the First National Bank. Those eleven charter members were James M. Higgins Sr., Elizae A. Higgins, James M. Higgins Jr., Robert Smith, Mildred Smith, Nancy Smith, Martha E. Wardlow, Uriah Dodson, Elizabeth Dodson, Richard Wilson and wife. The first camp meeting was held by the Milford church in 1856. Brother J. M. Perry delivered the sermons. At this time the church petitioned for membership in the Trinity River Association and was received into that organization where it remained until 1875. At that time it became a member of the Waxahachie Association. The first church building for the Milford Baptist Church was completed in the latter part of 1856. It was located near the North end of Main Street. However worship in the new building was only temporary, for a few months later it was destroyed by wind. In 1859 the present site of our church building was erected jointly by the congregation of the Baptist and Cumberland (Presbyterians). This church served our congregation until 1890. The first Sabbath School was organized April 10, 1885, at the church building. The Sabbath School of the Presbyterian Church was held in the morning and that of the Baptist in the afternoon. J. J. Jennings was the first superintendent of the newly organized Sabbath School. From the organization of the church in 1855 until 1912 the records indicate the following pastors served in the Lord's work. Rev. J. M. Perry, Rev. J. M. Sanford, Rev. P. J. Riddle, Rev. Josiah Leak, Rev. D. D. Swindall, Rev. W. W. Harris, Rev. E. G.©.?) Lee, Rev. H. H. Tilford, Rev. Thomas E. Muse, Rev. W. R. Selvidge, Rev. A. D. Brooks, Rev. W. H. McKenney, Rev. L. L. Samms, Rev. W. W. Scales, Rev. A. J. Tant, Rev. D. H. Bell, Rev. H. M. Gerrin & Rev. H. C. Bass. In the year of 1891, the ladies of the Milford Church formed an organization known as the "Ladies Aid Society." Mrs. W. R. Waterman was the first president of this group, whose main purpose at the time of organization was to raise funds. One project of which they were quite proud was the building of the first parsonage in 1895. Phase 2, 1912-1935 By the year 1916, since the church building was no longer adequate for further growth and development, a building crusade was begun and in 1917, during the pastorate of Rev. W. R. Lambert, a new building was erected. It was dedicated April 1, 1917, by Dr. L. R. Scarborough, president of the Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastors serving during the early part of this phase were M. F. Drury, H. C. Bass, W. R. Lambert & J. M. Price. From 1920 through 1933 the church made rapid progress. Rev. J. J. Cowsert, a pastor of this period later went to Brazil as a missionary and is now serving in the Publications Department of that mission field. Rev. A. T. Douglas organized an all denominational choir which held regular practice meetings and were always attended by a receptive audience. Another whose influence will always be cherished was Rev. A. H. Ethridge, who lost his life in an automobile accident while pastor at Wolfe City, Texas. Other pastors were Rev. J. A. Hall and R. F. Halbert. Phase 3, 1935-1955 The third and final period of the first 100 years began under the leadership of Rev. John R. Campbell who served for a salary of $75.00 per month. The lowest recorded salary of a minister was that paid to Rev. H. C. Bass ($50.00 per month and free use of the pastors' home). During Rev. Campbell's pastorate, Rev. Jack Southerland held a very successful meeting. Rev. V. M. Piland, Rev. Jack Southerland and Rev. E. M. Masseys' pastorates resulted in a definite upward trend in Sunday School attendance. Among the material gifts in memory of loved ones are: the communion table in memory of Mr. & Mrs. T. W. Coats, and the new Wurlitzer piano in memory of Mr. & Mrs. M. M. Jones. During the past century several have been called into special service. We do not have a record of all of these but of those recorded will find the name of two brothers, D. D. ? & Elmer Tinery. Both are now serving pastorates, one in South Carolina and the other in Dallas, Texas. Rev. Russell Ware, a former pastor, will occupy the "Bible Chair" at East Texas State Teachers College beginning with the fall semester of 1955.   Copyright © 2006-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:16:05 MDT