History of Tabernacle Baptist Church Ennis, Texas [Abstract of information from vertical files, Sims Library, Waxahachie, Texas, exact source unknown] Contributed by Jean Caddel Introduction The purpose of this study is to write the history of Tabernacle Baptist Church of Ennis, Texas, as part of the history of Ellis County. Since the church is an integral part of the life of the people of a city or county, it is important to include the history of the church in order to learn more about the heritage. More than eighty churches of all denominations have been organized in Ellis County. Thirty-two of these are Baptist. Ennis has more than twenty-two churches with Baptist churches numbering thirteen. Tabernacle Baptist Church In the American colonies, Roger Williams formed a Baptist church at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1639. Philadelphia later became the most important Baptist center in colonial America. During the years immediately before and after the American Revolution, the number of Baptists increased greatly. By 1800, the Baptists had become the largest Protestant group in America. Baptist Churches now form the largest Protestant denomination in the United State. The results are mainly from rapid growth in the South since 1900. In America there are a score of national Baptist bodies; but the four largest in the United States include most of the approximately 11,000,000 Baptists in North America – The Northern Baptist Convention, Southern Baptist Convention and National Baptist Convention which is Negro. The separation of the Northern and Southern Baptist in 1845 occurred because of differences in the method of distributing missionary money, not over slavery questions, as sometimes supposed. The southern group formed the Southern Baptist Convention. The northern group continued to maintain its missionary, educational societies, and continued to grow until, in 1907 in Washington, D. C., the Northern Baptist Convention was founded. The Negro Baptists withdrew in 1880 to form the National Baptist Convention. As far back as 1830, Baptist preachers had worked in Texas, but the first permanent work was done by Z. N. Morrell, who, in 1837, organized at Washington-on-the-Brazos the first Baptist church on Texas soil. Noah T. Byars in whose shop the Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed was a member of that church, Representatives from Travis, La Grange, and Independence met in 1840 to organize what became the Union Association, From the beginning Baptists concentrated on missions and evangelism. When the church was organized at Washington-on-the-Brazos, James R. Jenkins was appointed to appeal to the United Stats Baptist Convention to evangelize Texas. Several scholarly men: James Huckins, W. M. Tryon, and Rufus C. Burleson helped organize fifty churches in 1848. On June 21, 1856, the Hamilton United Baptist Church of Christ in Shelby County, Texas, advertised that Charles B. Morouge, former pastor, whose credentials were from the Second Missionary Baptist Church of Boston in the year 1829. He had been excluded from the Hamilton church for attempting to poison his wife and running off with a base girl. He said that he was a Frenchman and posed as a doctor, but the church believed him to be a "Yankee." On December 20, 1849, Ellis County was formed from Robertson and Navarro counties. The county was probably named for Judge Richard Ellis although the legislature did not specify for whom it was name. Ennis was named for Cornelius Ennis, director of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad which reached the town in 1871. The First Baptist Church of Ennis was organized in May or June, 1872, with about twenty-five members. Rev. Compere helped organize the church. Rev. E. R. Freeman served as pastor one Sunday each month. Mr. Bird was the first clerk. Early men who served as elders were: W. H. Parks, Josiah Leake, E. C. Leake, C. C. Lee, J. S. Dougherty, H. H. Tilford, R. B. Devant and Dr. J. T. Young. The pastors were: Rev. Coleman, Rev. W. R. Selridge, and J. R. Hodges who was serving in 1892. Morgan Hinton, A. N. Kendrick, M. W. Wright, R. L. Bell, A. H. Buil, E. T. Reynolds, J. B. Overall, and J. T. Selvidge served as clerks before 1892. Under the leadership of Dr. W. H. Parks, the first church was built in 1875, and destroyed by a cyclone in 1876. The church was rebuilt in 1877. There were sixty-three males and ninety-seven females with a total membership of one hundred sixty in 1892. Tabernacle Baptist Church of Ennis in Ellis County was organized when eighty-six ex-members of the First Baptist Church met at the Wathen Home. Rev. Bennett Hatcher was elected pastor and Mr. J. E. Lucas, church clerk. Mr. Jeremiah Clark was elected treasurer. E. T. Boren, W. E. Stout and M. B. Moseley, Sr. were the trustees. William Cates, Z. H. King, and L. A. Baker were deacons. The finance committee was composed of Mrs. Mossie Calhoun, Mrs. Addie Spalding, Terrell Goodwin, and W. E. Stout. Miss Ruth Boren was organist and Mrs. Z. H. King, Sunday school superintendent. The charter for the new Church was drawn by Judge John H. Sharp. The church was named by Rev. Bennett Hatcher, and met at a feed store belonging to Mrs. Frank Templeton. The store is now Jack Poff Men's Store. The church used a building that is now Ennis State Bank, other churches and K. of P. Lodge until the new church could be built. The first place of worship belonging to Tabernacle Baptist Church was a tabernacle constructed of lumber and canvas with a tin roof. The men worked to build the church, and the women worked buttonholes in the canvas flaps to be used as windows and doors. The lots for the church were purchased from Mrs. Oliver. Then in the fall of 1900, planning began on a permanent brick building. J. M. Gaddy helped plan the building. By April 1901, the new building was completed at a cost of $14,000. Mrs. Z. H. King, Mr. Frank Templeton, and Mrs. L. A. Daffan laid the first cornerstone. A list of the one hundred sixty-five members, a copy of the Ennis Daily News, church manual, and two coins were placed in the cornerstone. The church had grown from eighty-six charter members in October, 1899, to one hundred sixty-five in April, 1901. A beautiful chandelier with coal oil lights, pews, and a reed organ were bought. People donated the pulpit, chairs, clock, and other furnishings. Following the fortieth anniversary celebration of the church in 1939, Rev. Bumpus announced that the church had voted to build a new church at the corner of West Knox and North McKinney streets.The cornerstone for the new church was laid on Sunday, December 17, 1939 at 11:45 A.M. Engraved on the cornerstone was the text, Ephesians 2:20: "Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone." Enclosed in the cornerstone were contents from the first cornerstone, a Bible, a list of the building committee, donors, Ennis Daily News, and a copy of Texas Evangel. The new church of red brick patterned for a Cleburne church and built by Mr. James Sanderson would seat five hundred eighty-five people. It had a main floor and a balcony. The church also included church offices, pastor's office and Sunday school rooms. The woodwork was brick with walnut finish. Opera chairs and pulpit furniture had the same finish. Plaster walls were a pale green and upholstered opera chairs were green. The floors were hardwood. Many people gave of their time and labor to build the new church. No complete record was kept of all who worked, but these people contributed much to the building of the new church: Mr. C. A. Gilley, Mr. Joseph Bartlett, Mrs. Johnny Speir, Mr. E. . Miller, Mrs. Harry Stone, Mr. I. D. Thornhill, Mrs. Earl Cox, Mr. Jon Percioal, Mr. W. T. King, Mr. Buck Evans, and Mr. Wesley Goodwin. Members of the church raised over four thousand dollars on Victory Sunday to seat, carpet, light and air condition the newly completed auditorium. On Thursday, December 12, 1940, the dedication service was held in the new debt-free church. Planning and contributing for eight years led to the building of the new church. Dr. George Truett of Dallas delivered the address at the dedication of the church. Fellowship hall was completed in February, 1950, to match the red brick church. While Rev. Ralph Reasor was pastor, the church appointed a Long Range Planning Committee to evaluate the needs of the church and present projects for expansion. The committee gave several proposals, and the church voted September 28, 1960, to build a new church on West Gilmer. Plans progressed rapidly with a building committee appointed on October 12, and sub-committees appointed on October 18. Dedication services were held at the building site on October 30. Bonds of $250, $500 and $1,000 were offered bearing six percent interest semi-annually and maturing in fifteen and one-half years. By July 1, 1960, $245,000 in bonds had been sold. By July 15, a ground breaking ceremony was held with Rev. C. Douglas White presiding. Lumber from the old feed store building south of the main education building was saved for the construction of a Boy Scout house on the church property. The Boy Scout house was built with volunteer labor. Two hundred ninety members of the Tabernacle Baptist Church withdrew on September 8, 1961 to organize another church, Baylor Baptist. They were opposed to the plan of expansion and preferred to remain in the downtown area. They built a beautiful new church on North Preston, and have made at least two more additions since 1962. Baylor Baptist, as well as Tabernacle, continues to grow and expand. Construction began on the new Tabernacle church in August, 1961. Foundations were poured, and on May 6, 1962, the first cornerstone was laid, containing contents from the first church cornerstone on December 23, 1900. Two other cornerstones were laid containing Bibles, lists of members, deacons, donors, letters, coins, Ennis Daily News, address of Rev. C. Douglas White, etc. Many memorials were given for the new church; cornerstone, steeple, pulpit, Lord's Supper Table, the Sedalias, two chairs, guest book, choir folders, permanent floral arrangement, pew ends, choir robes, furnishings for the bride's room, portraits of pastors, carpet for a room, sodium, pulpit tables in prayer room, furnishings and equipment in library, books, and the office desk chair. The first worship service was held at the new church at 1200 W. Gilmer Street on Sunday, July 22, 1962. Records of attendance were broken. A week of dedication services was held. The church was built on a partially wooded twenty acre tract of land between West Gilmer and W. Baldridge.  In the back of the sanctuary is the fellowship hall and large kitchen which overlook an enclosed playground area for kindergarten. The beautifully arc-shaped sanctuary has a large main foyer, cloak rooms, powder rooms, and a bride's room. In the sanctuary no seat is more than seventy feet from the pulpit. It will seat thirteen hundred, and the entire building is air conditioned. The building also includes a prayer room, Memorial Hall, library, office rooms, choir room, and music library. The educational building in two wings provides for twenty-four departments of Sunday School with sixty-six class rooms. The nursery is in the educational building also. Utilizing the twenty acres, ample space for parking is provided; as well as recreational facilities which include volleyball courts, baseball and softball field, basketball court, and picnic area. The home for the education director was completed in October, 1952, and the church gave a housewarming on October 13 for Mr. And Mrs. Clois Smith who was educational director.  In November, a housewarming was given at the new parsonage for Rev. and Mrs. C. Douglas White. By 1962, the Boy Scout House, the education director's home, the church parsonage, and the church had been completed on the church property. The pastors of Tabernacle Baptist Church who served for 1899 to 1972 led the church in planning and building four churches. Also under their leadership and dedication, the church membership grew from eighty-six charter members in 1899 to 1938 members in 1972. Rev. Bennett Hatcher named the church, and served as the first pastor from October, 1899 to October, 1900. During his pastorage, building of the church began. He was described as being very dignified, peace loving, and deeply spiritual. The second pastor of the church was Rev. W. K. Penrod from Paducah, Kentucky, who served from 1900 to 1905. He lived near Palmer in Ellis County. Mrs. M. M. Wathen helped him financially in going to Baylor University. He was an intelligent and conscientious man. During his leadership the first brick church was built. The third pastor was Rev. E. T. Lyon who was pastor from 1905 to 1911. Rev. Lyon was an educated man and an efficient leader. During his ministry a pipe organ was purchased at a cost of $2,000 to $2,500. Rev. William Elbert Brittain was the fourth pastor serving from 1911 until his death March 14, 1931. Rev. Brittain and his family came to Ennis from Mineral Wells. During Rev. Brittain's ministry an education building was built in 1922 at a cost of $25,000. When Rev. Brittain died in 1931, his funeral was the biggest ever in Ennis. He had served nineteen years as pastor. The fifth pastor was Rev. J. D. Grey who served from June, 1931 to September, 1934. He was a young man just out of the seminary. He was an enthusiastic organizer. He introduced the single budget system, organized Men's Brotherhood, and did much to strengthen B. T. W. Serving as the sixth minister, Rev. W. Clyde Hankins was a spiritual leader with evangelistic spirit. During his ministry the number of conversions placed the church fifth or sixth in the entire state. Rev. Hankins was pastor from December, 1934 to March, 1937 when he was called to Mississippi. In 1940, Rev. and Mrs. Hankins went to Brazil as missionaries. Rev. Hugh Bumpus, seventh pastor, served from June, 1937 to April, 1944. He was a native of Dallas, and came to Ennis from Sherman. Tabernacle was his fourth pastorate.. His preaching was plain, practical, and sincere. He led the church in Bible study and tithing. During his ministry Tabernacle church services were broadcast over station KAND for three years. It was also during Rev. Bumpus' ministry that a church was built on the corner of West Knox and North McKinney streets. During Rev. Bob Fling's ministry from July, 1944 to 1955, a new education building was built, the church was remodeled, and a new home for the education director was built. The Fairview Mission was started, and became a church a year later. Rev. Fling was the eighth pastor of the church. The ninth pastor was Rev. Ralph W. Reasor who served from 1955 to 1959. During his ministry a new era of expansion began for Tabernacle Baptists in 1956. He led the church to appoint a Long Range Planning Committee to evaluate the needs and present projects for expansion. The tenth pastor, Rev. C. Douglas White, was born in Lepante, Arkansas. He graduated from high school in Oklahoma City. He graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University, and in 1958, graduated from the Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth. Rev. White was pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist in San Diego, California. On the Pacific Coast, he also worked for the Home Mission Board. Other pastorates include Midway Baptist Church and Sharon Baptist Church. Rev. White was chosen as one of the ministers to preach in Japan Baptist New Life Movement. Four laymen from the church who also participated in the Japanese Crusade were: Charles Williams, Billy Munn, W. J. Pollan, and Murlin Tomlinson. The Japan Baptist New Life Movement was sponsored by the Texas Baptist, Japanese Baptists, and Southern Baptist Convention foreign Mission Board. Dr. Leon Marsh, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth served as interim pastor for seven months before the church called Rev. Dick Moody. Rev. Moody became the eleventh pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in August, 1970. He had served as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Marlow, Oklahoma for six years. He is a native of Dallas, was graduated from Baylor University, and Southwestern Theological Seminary. He had served in Rio Dell, California, Honey Grove, Grand Saline, and Marlow, Oklahoma. Ladies Aid Society was the name given the women's first organization. Helping with the finances was their chief aim. Their first undertaking was in helping make a tent to be located at 300 W. Knox Street. When the new brick church was finished at a cost of $14,000, in 1901, Mrs. Zeb King, Mrs. Frank Templeton, and Mrs. L. A. Daffan laid the first cornerstone. The women of the church gave many hours of their time sewing carpet together and providing furnishing for the church. To raise money for the new church, the women held bazaars, ice cream suppers, cake and pie sales, gave dinners, and held markets. Rev. Lyon, during his ministry, requested that the Ladies Aid Society and the Missionary Society join to become an auxiliary of the church by teaching, visiting, and studying missions. Women's Missionary Union can claim the "Go ye" saying. The Weeks of Prayer for state, home, and foreign missions have set the pace for the whole church to follow. The. W. M. U. was organized in 1943 with four circles, a Girls' Auxiliary, Business and Professional Women's Circle, and Sunbeams. In 1949, naming the circles for the following missionaries inspired them: Beth Callaway of Arabia, Helen Bagby of Brazil, and Eloise Cauthen of China. The circles kept in touch with the missionaries. In 1954, under the leadership of Mrs. J. L. Hinkle, the W. M. U. became and A-1 Full Graded Society. In 1953, the Lottie Moon Christian Offering reached $5,339.63. The offering increased from about $50 to over $5,000. Other mission offerings increased also. The W. M. U. in 1960 was the first organization to hold a meeting on twenty acres purchased on West Gilmer Street. Mrs. Frances Fuller taught mission study in the picnic area. The W. M. U. presidents from 1899 to 1972: 1898-1910  Mrs. Zeb King Mrs. J. H. Gregsby Mrs. L. A. Daffan Mrs. Jeremiah Clarke 1909-1912 - Mrs. Wood Adams 1912-1914 -   Mrs. John Weekley 1913-1917  - Mrs. C. L. McCollough 1916-1918 - Mrs. Joe X. Newcomb 1917-1921 - Mrs. John Weekley 1920-1924  - Mrs. G. S. Perkins 1923-1926  - Mrs. Harry Stone 1925-1927  - Mrs. A. L. Novel 1926-1928 - Mrs. T. M. Spence 1927-1929 Mrs. J. A. Ausley 1928-1931 Mrs. J. S. Sanderson 1930-1933 Mrs. Harry J. Stone 1932-1934 Mrs. J. L. Hinkle 1933-1935 Mrs. N. W. McCann 1934-1939 Mrs. John M. Weekley 1938-1940 Mrs. Charles Cook 1940-1941 Mrs. Dee Willis 1940-1942 Mrs. A. A. Roberts 1941-1944 Mrs. Ward Weir 1943-1946 Mrs. E. R. Andrews 1948-1951 Mrs. Freddy Swafford 1950-1954 Mrs. J. L. Hinkle 1953-1956 Mrs. I. T. Moore 1955-1958 Mrs. R. E. Erisman 1957-1960 Mrs. Jewel McCoy 1959-1961 Mrs. W. J. Pollan 1960-1962 Mrs. C. Douglas White 1961-1963 Mrs. Charles Williams 1962-1964 Mrs. Clois Smith 1963-1965 Mrs. Rich Hamil 1964-1966 Mrs. J. L. Porter 1965-1968 Mrs. J. Wilhite 1967-1969 Mrs. B. Satterwhite Missions are a phase of the church. They include home missions, state missions and foreign missions. The Fairview Mission was started in 1945 in South Ennis, and became a self-supporting Southern Baptist Church. In 1959, the church voted to establish a mission in a building adjoining the church property. Later the Emanuel Baptist Mexican Mission at 401 East Denton Street was established. The mission was dedicated in 1960. Ground breaking for the new church was September 24, 1967, and was dedicated on March 3, 1968. From the church have gone missionaries and preachers. J. J. Cowsert, Rev. Clyde Hankins, Dr. and Mrs. Curt Abell have done missionary work abroad. Ordained preachers from the church include James Taylor, Clifford Spencer, Vester Kimery, Fay Hinton, Joseph H. Gerault, John Hinkle, David Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Ranton. Ordained ministers in the church now are Orbie Lamb, Glynn Vyers, Phil Wichern, and Burton Cook. The Tabernacle Baptist Memorial Library was started in June, 1946 as a result of a memorial gift made by Mr. And Mrs. Wesley H. Goodwin in memory of their son, James Wesley Goodwin who was a World War II casualty. James, Joe Crow, Jack Lummas, and William Pierce were killed on Iwo Jima. The Men's Venison Banquet given each winter is an event in which men from all churches are invited. Governor Allen Shivers spoke at one of the banquets. The church kindergarten was organized in 1968 by Mrs. Don Berry. Two buses have been purchased by the church to be used for church activities and transportation for children on Sunday and Vacation Bible School. The youth of the church participate in many activities: Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, R. A.'s, G. A.'s, Choir Boy Scout Troup 205, Glorieta Summer Encampment, Youth-led Revivals, Fellowship hour on Sunday nights, After-the-game fellowship in the fall, Sweetheart Banquet, Banquet for Seniors. Honored for her twenty years of service upon her retirement, Mrs. Harry J. Stone was given a reception and named librarian emeritus by Tabernacle Baptist Church. Mrs. Stone organized the library in June, 1945; and it grew from three hundred books in June 15, 1946 to 6,775 volumes in 1967. Through the years, Mrs. Stone also served as historian for the church, wrote articles for the paper, prepared booklets o the history for special events. Through her devotion and work, the church has an excellent library. Ella Fern Sparks was honored with a special music service in 1968. At that time, she had been organist for thirty-four years and secretary for thirty years Mr. Sam Ligon said of Mrs. Sparks, "The service Sunday evening is in recognition of a faithful steward who has and is giving of her talents, abilities, and personality in unselfish Christian dedication to her Lord and his church. Mrs. Sparks is a person who is genuine and possess a great many Christian graces which would do well to be imitated." Ella Fern Sparks Day was observed by the church honoring her for thirty-six years of service. She has played for more than seventy revivals, two hundred weddings, and more than two thousand funerals. The church gave a color television set as a token of appreciation. The active and honorary deacons in January, 1972 are included in the following list: Don Berry, Charles Williams, Bruce Brown, Don Ballew,   Dale Coates, Walter Cook,   E. M. Dayle  John Denny,   Max Duren,  M. J. Elliott, Charles Gentry,  H. W. Ellison,   Ivan Goodwin,  Ralph Essary, Neal Goodwin , W. H. Goodwin, Rich Hamil,  J. Hugh Green. Vernon Hodo,  E. A. Hoffman, H. J. Howell .Curtis Perry, Bill Huffstetler, Jack Rhea, Leonard Hughes , F. L. Rorbac, Earl Moore , W. I. Snodgress, John Percival,  Jack Speers, Jerry Porter,  Forrest Watson, Calvin Reeves,  Ward Weir,   Bill Roberts, Jesse Wood, Troy Selzer,  Jerry Kapec,   W. R. Stidger , Rufus Horton.   Harry Stone , Dick Roberts,   Murlin Tomlinson ,T. R. Cody, C. P. Watkins The study of Tabernacle Baptist Church has been very interesting. Certainly, it has not been inclusive. Other dates, other people, and other events are important in the history of the church, yet the facts in this study give the general history of the church. The study includes the building of the four churches: (1) the first church was the lumber and canvas tabernacle constructed by members, (2) the second church was completed in April, 1901, (3) the third church was completed in 1940 on the same site, and (4) the present church on West Gilmer completed in July, 1962. Also included in the study is the history of W.M.U., pastors, records, missions, library people, deacons, and youth activities. Tabernacle Baptist Church is just one church in Ellis County, yet it is probably characteristic of some of the other churches in progressiveness, growth, devotion, faith, outstanding pastors, and dedicated members.   Copyright © 2005-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:16:12 MDT