How it all started...
The Weaubleau Baptist Church was organized July 17, 1982 by John Robinson, J.F. Sutter and T.J. Akins. with seven charter members. For seven or eight years the charter members met in what is now the Congregational Christian Church.
In 1890, the 91 members of the congregation started construction on a new frame building. The building was 36'x60' and would seat 200 people. The men of the church hauled the logs from the timber, sawed the logs into lumber, and did most of the construction. In December of 1898 a Sunday School was organized.
Many improvements were made to the first building over the years. Some of the additions included: the addition of gas lights in 1905, a sidewalk in 1911, a piano in 1913, hat racks in 1915 and hitching racks for horses in 1916.
In 1925 a small addition was made to the building. The pulpit was moved to the east side, and new pews replaced the old stool chairs. In the summer of 1939, the first Vacation Bible School was held.
Highway 54 was straightened and widened in 1940. Because of this, it was necessary to move the church building farther south. The church voted to build a basement and move the building to that basement.
In 1947, a residence was bought and moved to the church lot. The building was remodeled and used as living quarters until 1957. From 1959 - 1970 this building was used as Sunday School rooms. It was torn down in 1970 to make way for the new educational building.
In 1890, the 91 members of the congregation started construction on a new frame building. The building was 36'x60' and would seat 200 people. The men of the church hauled the logs from the timber, sawed the logs into lumber, and did most of the construction. In December of 1898 a Sunday School was organized.
Many improvements were made to the first building over the years. Some of the additions included: the addition of gas lights in 1905, a sidewalk in 1911, a piano in 1913, hat racks in 1915 and hitching racks for horses in 1916.
In 1925 a small addition was made to the building. The pulpit was moved to the east side, and new pews replaced the old stool chairs. In the summer of 1939, the first Vacation Bible School was held.
Highway 54 was straightened and widened in 1940. Because of this, it was necessary to move the church building farther south. The church voted to build a basement and move the building to that basement.
In 1947, a residence was bought and moved to the church lot. The building was remodeled and used as living quarters until 1957. From 1959 - 1970 this building was used as Sunday School rooms. It was torn down in 1970 to make way for the new educational building.
Moving forward...
June 19, 1949, was the last service held in the frame building. On June 20, 1949, the men of the church began construction on the new church. During the building, regular services were held in the high school. Dedication services for the new building were held October 16, 1949.
On September 27, 1959, the church voted to buy the Walter Foster home to serve as the church parsonage. Until a new parsonage was built in the 1980's.
In 1970, the church voted to build a new educational building. A new fellowship hall was added to this building in 1974
In 2022, the church removed the existing pews and added new chairs. With Sunday School and Wednesday night services continuing to grow, an outdoor classroom was also added. Also in 2022, the church voted to expand the educational building once again. Construction on men's and women's restrooms, a nursery restroom, a nursing room and a mechanical room began in April of 2022
On September 27, 1959, the church voted to buy the Walter Foster home to serve as the church parsonage. Until a new parsonage was built in the 1980's.
In 1970, the church voted to build a new educational building. A new fellowship hall was added to this building in 1974
In 2022, the church removed the existing pews and added new chairs. With Sunday School and Wednesday night services continuing to grow, an outdoor classroom was also added. Also in 2022, the church voted to expand the educational building once again. Construction on men's and women's restrooms, a nursery restroom, a nursing room and a mechanical room began in April of 2022
Missions...
From the beginning the church has been mission minded. On February 20, 1904, the church moved to establish a Mission Sunday School four miles south of Weaubleau at Elm Springs School House. The Sunday School was established and continued until the school building was moved to town.
In October 1906, Union Grove Church asked for $1.00 to buy hymnals for their church. The church voted to send $2.00.
In 1905, thirty-nine members of the church moved with their families to Oklahoma. They organized a church at Pocasset, Oklahoma.
In 1917, the women of the church voted for a special yearly donation. On April 1st, all eggs laid by the sisters' hens or the money raised by the selling of those eggs would be donated to an 'old folks' home in Irontown. This was continued for several years.
In the early 1920's the women organized a Women's Aid Society.
In 1952, a cabin was built at Baptist Hill Assembly near Mt. Vernon for G.A. (Girls in Action) and R.A. (Royal Ambassadors) groups to use.
A bus ministry was started in 1974.
In 2013, the Youth Group traveled to Buffalo Gap, SD to lead VBS. They returned to South Dakota in 2014.
In 2022, the church began to serve at Freeway Ministries in Springfield, MO.
VBS has continued since starting in 1939. In 2022, the average over five days of 71 kids with enrollment of 91. There also was an average of 46 leaders per night with a total of 50 who served. Average attendance: 117
In October 1906, Union Grove Church asked for $1.00 to buy hymnals for their church. The church voted to send $2.00.
In 1905, thirty-nine members of the church moved with their families to Oklahoma. They organized a church at Pocasset, Oklahoma.
In 1917, the women of the church voted for a special yearly donation. On April 1st, all eggs laid by the sisters' hens or the money raised by the selling of those eggs would be donated to an 'old folks' home in Irontown. This was continued for several years.
In the early 1920's the women organized a Women's Aid Society.
In 1952, a cabin was built at Baptist Hill Assembly near Mt. Vernon for G.A. (Girls in Action) and R.A. (Royal Ambassadors) groups to use.
A bus ministry was started in 1974.
In 2013, the Youth Group traveled to Buffalo Gap, SD to lead VBS. They returned to South Dakota in 2014.
In 2022, the church began to serve at Freeway Ministries in Springfield, MO.
VBS has continued since starting in 1939. In 2022, the average over five days of 71 kids with enrollment of 91. There also was an average of 46 leaders per night with a total of 50 who served. Average attendance: 117
