Our History
1946-1947
Early in 1946, twelve Southern Baptist women began weekly prayer meetings and on October 19, 1946, in the home of Gladys Hammack, 1115 Marshall, Richland, they organized into a Women's Missionary Union and in January of 1947, with their husbands, they organized a Sunday School. On February 16, 1947, in the home of Bowie DeKalb Payton, 1107 Fitch, Richland, the first Sunday School was held with 25 in attendance.
Worship Services began in the Marcus Whitman School on March 23, 1947, and continued there until the group acquired its own building.
1947
Rev. Fred Chambers of Albertsville, Louisiana, arrived in Richland on May 17, 1947, and preached on Sunday, May 18. Training Union was organized that evening. On Monday evening, May 19, 1947, at the home of R.H. Williams, 1102 Williams, Richland, the group met to organize the church and renamed it Mission Baptist Church. Following are the names of the 33 Charter Members:
| Mrs. Rowena Armstrong Shirley Frye Mrs. Ruby Marsh J. F. Cole George Givan B. D. Payton Mrs. J. F. Cole Mrs. George Givan Douglas Payton Paul Crowder Mrs. Al Henning |
Mrs. Douglas Payton Mrs. Paul Crowder Jackie Henning Mrs. Royal Payton Paul Crowder, Jr. Yvonne Henning Katherine Puryear Opal Everett Bill Hinson Rudy Puryear Ray Everett |
C.C. Hinson Mrs. Rudy Puryear D. G. Frye Mrs. Gladys Hinson A. R. Sutton Mrs. D. G. Frye Jack Hinson Mrs. A. R. Sutton Ronald Frye Madelyn Hinson Mrs. R. H. Williams |
1947-1949
Dr. H.A. Zimmerman came to the Northwest in the fall, 1947 as a missionary for the California Baptist Convention. The challenge of the Richland field was so great that he became pastor instead and served from November 12, 1947, through December, 1949. During his ministry the Baptist General convention of Oregon was organized in July, 1948.
The first member by baptism was Marguerite Williams, who was baptized in the Yakima River, on September 21, 1947. The first deacons, C.C. Hinson and B.D. Payton, were ordained on May 20, 1947. Also serving as a deacon was D.G. Frye, who had been ordained previously.
The Mission Baptist Church changed its name to the Richland Baptist Church on August 11, 1948. Also that year, Miss Imogene Baker was elected as Church Choir Director. She led the church and choir through almost twelve years in its music endeavors.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held November 30, 1948, for the first church building on the corner of George Washington Way and Wordrop Street. The first building was composed of three trailer units purchased from the Kadlec Hospital of the Hanford Project for $40,000 and moved to the site.
1950-1951
Don Giddens was called as Pastor in March, 1950 and served until December, 1951. During his ministry, five missions were started: Pasco, Kennewick, Benton City, North Richland, and Hermiston, Oregon. Through these five missions, Richland Baptist Church has now been the parent or grandparent church to 28 churches in the Columbia Basin Baptist Association.
1952-1957
Emery Collins was called as Pastor in May, 1952 and served until July, 1957. During his ministry, a church sanctuary was constructed. The cornerstone was laid in March of 1954, and the sanctuary was completed in 1954.
1957-1965
Herman Wooten was called as Pastor in November, 1957 and served until September, 1965. During his ministry the church parsonage at 1211 Birch was sold and land for a new parsonage at 92 Wordrop was purchased. The men of the church built the parsonage at the cost of $23,000 that year. Pastor Wooten was a leader in the start of the Bailey Memorial Boys Ranch, Mesa, Washington. Also during this time, Clois Winters served as part-time Director of Education and Music from August, 1959 to June, 1961. Truett Black was Minister of Education and Music from June, 1961 to September, 1964.
1966-1971
Glen Norman served as Pastor from June, 1966 to October, 1971. During his ministry, the first Latin-American speaking Baptist Church was constituted in Sunnyside, Washington, sponsored by Richland Baptist Church. Gavin Vaughn served as Minister of Education and Music from 1967 to 1971. Pastor Norman originated the reader sign in front of the sanctuary that has become one of the landmarks of Richland Baptist Church.
1971-1973
Joe Stith became Pastor in December, 1971 and served until June, 1973. During his ministry, the church constructed an Educational Building at a cost of $400,000. The building was dedicated at church's 25th Anniversary celebration on May 18-21, 1972. At this 25th Anniversary, the church's membership was 687, and there had been 907 people baptized since the beginning (an average of 36 per year). Robert Stiver served as Minister of Education and Music from 1972 to 1978.
1973-1978
Cecil Sims served as Pastor from August, 1973 through June, 1978. He led the church in meaningful participation in Columbia Basin Baptist Association (CBBA) and the Northwest Baptist Convention (NWBC). He was actively involved in the community which gave the church an enhanced public image and opportunities for ministry with individuals. He led the congregation through the tragedy of the loss of its building by fire on August 13, 1977. Construction of a new $860,000 church sanctuary began in October, 1978. The cornerstone was laid and the worship center was dedicated on November 18, 1979. Phil Hunter served as Minister of Music and Youth from 1976 to 1978.
1979-1984
Milton Higgins was called a Pastor in April, 1979 and served until September, 1984. During his ministry, the Worship Center was completed. Raymond Cook served as Minister of Education from January, 1980 until April, 1981. Stephen Bonner served as Minister of Education and Music from April, 1984 to 1988. Handbells and a Senior Adult Choir were organized. Maury Robertson served as Summer Minister of Youth from 1983 to 1986.
1985-1989
Ray Heyer was called as Pastor in August, 1985 and served through October, 1989. During his ministry, he strengthened the base of ministry with enlarged sharing of responsibility for outreach and inreach through the Sunday School leadership teams. He effective led the program "Together We Share" to pay off the church mortgage.
1989-1991
John Robinson began as Associate Pastor the summer of 1988. He served as Interim Pastor from November, 1989 to March, 1991. Beginning in February 1989, outreach ministries started worship services at Columbia Edgewater Retirement Home with Sunday afternoon and Monday morning Bible studies. The Angel Wings Program (ministering to the shut-ins) was organized during 1989. Work with the Pregnancy Center began in 1989, also. Becca Chadwick served as a Summer Intern in 1989.
Scott Wells began as Minister of Youth and Music in March, 1990. Sally Brooks served as a Summer Worker with children and youth in June, 1990. The sanctuary of Richland Baptist Church was paid off and the mortgage was burned in June, 1990 in a "Bond Fire Celebration." During the Summer Music Activities for Kids (SMAK) was organized by Renae Wells, Children's Time during the Sunday church service also began, and the Single Adult Ministry became a part of the regular activities.
1991-present
Stanley Hughes was called as Pastor on March 31, 1991. His goals for Richland Baptist Church are:
- Exalt the Savior
- Equip the Christian
- Evangelize the lost
- Minister to persons in need
He has majored in "Pulpit Ministry," working with the Deacon body to visit shut-ins, hospitals and an active widow ministry. He leads the church to seek God's leadership in discipleship training and increased mission giving.
Renae Wells joined the church staff as Director of Children's Ministry in November, 1991. A Children's Church for youngsters ages four through third grade began having their own church services and is led by Mrs. Wells. This is a remarkable ministry and brings untold numbers of young families into the fellowship and many conversions are witnessed among the younger children.
Grant Bowles served as a summer worker in June, 1991. A Prayer Ministry was begun in September, 1991. Members sign up for a special hour, come to church or pray at home. This has become a very vital part of the church ministry. Men's Prayer Breakfast was formed in February, 1992. Jeff Smith joined the church staff as Youth Intern in November, 1992.
The Women's Heart-To-Heart Ministry was organized in October, 1993. Forty-eight ladies joined the initial group. Property adjacent to the Educational Building on Howell Street (commonly called the "Yellow House") was purchased in September, 1994. Men from Richland Baptist Church participate in PromiseKeepers, an Interdenominational Christian Men's program that promotes Christian men being in a right relationship with God and their families.
First Place, a Christ-centered Health Program, was started in January, 1995. RBC members assisted in the construction of the new CBBA and NWBC buildings. Gary Benfield replaced Galen Irby as Director of Missions at the Columbia Basin Baptist Association in May, 1995. In 1993, Chris Arbuckle organized the Juvenile Justice Ministry. A Block Party was organized and held in September, 1996 and annually since as a get-acquainted/outreach party to residents in the church neighborhood. Food, games, and entertainment are provided, along with information concerning church activities.
Bill Moffitt joined the staff as Education Director in January, 1997. John Robinson joined the staff as Minister to Sr. Adults in 1998. Rafael Miranda joined the staff as Hispanic Ministry leader in 1998. Ron L. Shelby joined the staff as full-time Youth Minister in 1999. Dustin Hall joined the staff as Youth Intern in 1999, and became Coordinator of Evangelism in 2000. Jeanne Moffitt joined the staff as Children's Coordinator in 2001.
Because of the tremendous growth in church attendance and Sunday School, information related to going to two church services and two Sunday Schools was presented and approved. Church membership in 2001 was 750. The FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy program started in 1999, and has regularly had over 90 participants each semester .
Today, Richland Baptist Church has a growing membership with the FAITH outreach strategy, a dedicated staff, and many ministries to meet the needs of our members and the Tri-Cities community. Come join us on our exciting journey of FAITH!
Richland Baptist Church is the parent or grandparent of over 28 churches.