[This is a transcription of an article that appeared in the Lovington Daily Leader on July 6, 1962.]

Though there were other churches in the eastern portion of Eddy and Chavez Counties, there were seven determined Baptists in the Caprock vicinity of Lovington in 1910 who wanted their own place of worship.

These seven people met on a cold evening in January 30, (1910) and established the First Baptist Church.

Gathered that evening with Reverend Parrock of Garden City, Texas were W. D. O’Kelly, Rollin Wright and Mrs. Wright, Miss Clara Creighton, Mrs. M. S. Allen, James M. Rodin Jr. and Mrs. Roden.

The group called as its pastor, Reverend J. M. Roden, Sr. who took the call at the handsome salary of $150 annually.

The church had its first revival in October of that year, which resulted in an increase of membership of over 500%.

East of this small village a group, in 1912, selected a small rise in the prairie to erect their first building, a white structure which was referred to as the “Silo.”

The second pastor, Reverend J. H. Clouse, from Texline, Texas, served at the salary of $1200, to be paid, $600 by the Board, and $600 to be raised in the field, comprising, Lovington, Monument, High Lonesome and Midway.

The friendly white “Silo” building, continued to provide a meeting place for more than a decade, even though it was damaged by fire on one occasion, and later a “blue norther” damaged the framework.

In November 1916, Reverend O. L. Vermillion assumed the pastorship, he was followed within two years by Reverend E. J. Barb, who served two years, and was in turn succeeded by Reverend W. F. Dillard.

The church had no pastor from 1922 to July 1925; however, the members provided enthusiasm and continued their worship and in 1925 a new building was erected at the present location.

During the time the small white church served as their place of worship many memories are recalled by the older members that served only to strengthen the faith of the small group. One remembers the arrival of the Reverend Vermillion with his six children, and with no parsonage to move into they remained as guests of the John D. Grahams until a home could be provided.

Preachers made their circuits with the mail routes, and had no schedule other than the mail run. Strong hands at a pump handle enabled Mrs. Creighton to play the hymns on the church organ while Jimmy Roden and Mr. McArthur led the singing, Mrs. Keene Bar and Grace Love also sat as church organists. The congregation used hymn books acquired from various sources. Most of these disappeared after one particularly hard winter storm when a family which had no other shelter took refuge in the old building and stoked the pot-bellied stove with hymnals. Mr. McCallister, Del Woods and other nearby ranchers made their stock tanks available when there was baptizing to be done.

The new building was started with $150 in the treasury and a gift of two lots which cost Uncle Railand Love $5.00 each. Martin’s wagon yard had been on that corner at one time.

During the building of the new church the members met in the county court house with lay preachers such as Frank Dillard filling the pulpit, assisted by guest preachers from Albuquerque, among them Joe Land, State Evangelist, J. W. Bruner and Mrs. Joyner.

In July 1925, Reverend J. B. Parker accepted the call from the church and the congregation continued to grow under the leadership of Reverends J. M. Sibley, W. C. Garrett, Aubrey Short, S. B. Hughs, Loyal E. Brown, Almond D. Noris, William Draper, L. W. Hardcastle and C. G. Watt.

In 1939 the basement of the present building was completed and provided a meeting place until 1948 when the present building was completed.

The present pastor is J. Samuel Phillips, whose youth and enthusiasm provides the same inspirational guidance as that of the church’s former leaders.

121 N. First St., Lovington, N.M.

[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, New Mexico. 6 Jul 1962.]