2025

A Brief History of Payneville Baptist Church

March 2020

            In 1842, the church now known as Payneville Baptist Church was founded as Goshen Baptist Church.  It began with 29 members.  The church building was located in the area behind the Parish Hall of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Payneville, Kentucky.
 
            In 1845, the name of the church was changed from Goshen Baptist Church to Spring Creek United Baptist Church.  The following year, the church bought a tract of land containing two acres of ground and a long building which was used as a meeting house.  The land was purchased for the sum of $5.
 
            In these early days, church members rode on horseback and in wagons to hear the Sunday sermons.   The farmer-pastor led the people in worship with no hymnals with no piano and no organ.  Baptismal services were held at a nearby pond, even in the winter when ice had to be broken.  By 1848, there were 50 church members.
 
            The first record of a regular pastor was E.T. Hickerson, who served as pastor from 1852 to 1866.  The first record of contributions to Home Missions was in 1853 and the church gave $1.30.
 
            In 1856, Spring Creek sent no messenger or sent no letter to the Associational Meeting.  The Association sent a committee to church to see why it wasn’t represented.  The next year the committee reported at the meeting the cause of no representative was satisfactory.
 
            E. T. Hickerson remained as pastor through 1886.  During that time, membership had increased to 103.  In 1869, William Head became pastor and membership decreased to 77. 
 
            In 1871, Spring Creek purchased one acre of ground for the sum of $15 from William W. And Matilda A. Wright.  The trustees at this time were David Burkheart, Junnis A. Brown and Thomas Brashear.  This property was used for the location of the new white frame church that stood just in front of the church building of today.  The previous land and building on Spring Creek was sold to William Adkisson where he made a home for his family.
 
            In 1873, John Willett again became pastor and he served until 1885.  He was serving as a missionary for the association during this time. The first record of the pastor's salary was in 1883, and the pastor received an annual salary of $70.  The value of the property was listed at $800.
 
            In 1884, the Associational Missions Committee asked for each church to raise different amounts for foreign missions.  Spring Creek was asked to raise $3 quarterly.  A special offering was taken four times a year for missions and delivered personally to the missionary board by an elected delegate of the church. 
 
            The first record of church expenses was $6 and Sunday School expense was $1 in 1891.  By 1896, church membership had grown to 108.  The church expenses for that year were $62.67. 
 
            D. F. Shacklett was serving as pastor and made a salary of $100.  He was ordained and served as pastor until 1903.  During this period, the church was asked to contribute $30 to the Associational Mission Fund.
  
  J.J. Willett became pastor in 1904.  The church membership increased to 151 and the pastor received a salary of $190. 
 
Reverend Willett was ordained and served as pastor until 1909.  The first mention of a deacon in the church was in 1907.  The deacon was S. A. Philpot.
 
            In 1909, I.C. Argabright again served as pastor for 1 year. 
 
In 1910, C.J. Bolton came as pastor and served until 1917. 
 
W.S. Shipp served as pastor in 1918.  By 1919, the value of the church property had increased to $1,000. 
 
In 1920, A. M. Smith served as pastor and the church contributed $336. 57 to missions that year. 
 
In 1921, Harvey English was pastor and repairs to the church totaled $15.
 
            In 1923, 3, H. J. Blackburn became pastor and was ordained.  He remained shepherd to the flock until 1926.  The trustees of the church were Floyd Hall, Otis Miller and Sam Johnson.  Deacons that year were Jess Huff, Strother Brown, and Otis Miller. 
 
            In 1928, D. F. White became pastor.  There was a building repair of $12.20 that year. 
 
            John Douglas became pastor in 1929.  He was licensed but later ordained at his home church in Wolf Creek.  Brother Douglas remembers the way the church looked when he came. The church building had two doors in front and two doors in the back.  There was a low partition dividing the church down the middle.  The men entered and exited through the doors on the right and the women through the doors on the left.  Men and women also sat divided the same way in church. The church was heated by two wood stoves on each side of the building. 
 
            Services were held Saturday night, Sunday morning and Sunday evening, once a month.  There were 6 women who could play the organ and they all wanted to be organist.  Brother Douglas solved this dilemma by letting one woman play for the opening of one of the services and another play for the closing of the service.  He also remembers Liza Brown, who sold all of her eggs and gave the proceeds to the church.  Deacon Jess Huff taught the men’s Sunday School class at this time.
 
Under the continued leadership of Brother Douglas, a revival was held in the Mystic community.  This was the beginning of the Dry Creek Baptist Church.  At this time, Spring Creek was known as the strictest church in the association.  Several people were excluded for such things as dancing, drinking, profane language and disorderly conduct.
 
            In 1932, T.W.  Lamkin became pastor.  The amount of salary the pastors received was whatever was collected as offering for the service.  No set salary was paid.  Also, the first mention of a Women’s Missionary Union was in 1932.  The Director was Mrs. D.C. Miles.
           
Memories shared by Mrs. Vivian Knott are the depression years at Spring Creek.  Mrs. Knott's mother, Blanch Adkisson would churn butter and send it to Mrs. Knott and her sister, Bonnie Adkisson Smith, to sell for her.  The money she received from selling the butter was used to purchase food and gasoline for the pastor in order for him to come once a month for worship services.  This inspired Mrs. Knott to donate a beautiful stained glass window in honor of her mother.  All of the original stained glass windows still grace the church sanctuary to this date.
In 1934, Vernie Washburn became a deacon at Spring Creek.
 
In 1935, Reverend Roy Lyons became the pastor.  The church voted to pay him whatever they could afford.  The church had $15 in the treasury, so they gave this amount to the preacher. 
 
On May 22, 1937, G. C. Wiles, Hobart Coomes and Earnest Lamkin were ordained as deacons.  It was also decided that since services were being held twice a month, that the pastor needed a place to stay each Sunday they led services.  Mrs. D. J. Sturgeon was elected to find accommodations. 
           
April of 1938, Reverend Quinn Cooper came as minister. 
 
In November of 1941, Reverend D.L. Barnett was called as pastor.  The membership of the church was now 111 and the property was valued at $1,200.  The church expenses in 1941 included the Pastor’s salary at $135, incidentals at $10, visiting ministers at $40, Sunday School at $10 and altar objects at $1 for a grand total of $196. 
 
In January of 1942, a committee of Hobart Coomes, George Wiles and Roscoe Smith were appointed to check on prices for having electric lights installed. 
 
Record of a committee appointed to draw up the first budget was in 1942.  The committee was Mrs. J. W. Brown, Hobart Coomes and Miss Eunice Wiles.  The church bought a used piano for $30 and $1,000 worth of insurance at $14 a year. 
 
After the electric lights were installed, the church sold at public auction the old Aladdin lamps, organ and various other items for $29.10.
 
In January of 1943, Harry Troutman became pastor.  During his time, there was an Associational wide Sunday School enlargement campaign led by Dr. Gardener, Reverend Davis and Reverend Barry.  The Sate Sunday School Board sent Brother J. H. Meadow of Lewisport to teach the book, Building a Standard Sunday School.  Ten of our members took the course.
 
In November of 1943, the church voted to have services every Sunday.  The pastor’s salary was raised to $17.50 a week.
 
Deacon George Wiles remembers when he came back from World War II, that the front of the church had been remodeled.  The doors on each side had been done away with and double doors had been built in the center of the front of the church and one big wood stove had been put in the center of the building. 
 
In February of 1944, the church voted to hire someone to clean the church, mow the yard and make fires for $1 per week.  They would also pay an additional $1 each time the weeds were cut, not to exceed four times a year.  They also voted to give 10% of the general offering to the Cooperative Program. 
 
In 1944, Reverend Troutman resigned and Brother W. H. Vinson, Jr. was called as pastor. 
There wasn’t a Vacation Bible School held at Spring Creek this year, so Mr. Hobert Coomes transported the children to New Highland Church to attend their VBS.  
 
            1945 saw the congregation working on improving the church property.  Mr. Hobert Coomes was paid $10 per month to take care of the church, yard and making fires.  The building was painted on the outside for $109 and the money to cover this expense was donated by Mrs. William Brown.    Parishioners also checked into buying new benches and donations were given.  At Christmas time, the birth of the Savior was celebrated and candy, nuts and fruit were wrapped and delivered to elder members.
 
            In 1946, Spring Creek United Baptist Church changed its name to Payneville Baptist Church since for many years people had referred to the church by this name. 
 
            The American Bible Society asked the Associational churches for donations.  Our church took up a special offering in order to help aid in distributing bibles. 
 
            There was talk in the church at this time about moving the church building back from the road or building a new church.  Cost to move the old building was priced at $300.  Finally it was decided the church was too old to be moved.  The building fund totaled $798.95 for remodeling the church. 
 
            Mrs. Mary Wiles and family presented a pulpit Bible to the church in memory of her son, Russell Wiles. 
 
            The church held an eight day Vacation Bible School and the enrollment was 35.  Also during this period, Payneville Baptist Church was sending the Western Recorder to 45 community homes.  This publication is a newspaper of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Another publication called Home Life Magazine produced by Lifeway Resources was also distributed to help spread the Gospel in our area. 
 
            A birthday offering was taken up at Sunday School each Sunday.  Those having a birthday during the preceding week may contribute 1 cent per year of age.  The proceeds were given to the Louisville Boy’s Estate, a home for dependent boys. 
 
            Benches were secured in the kindness of Mrs. Sallie Brown and family which were in their previous church in New Stithton which was taken over by the Army. 
 
            A Mother’s Day offering was taken up for Baptist Hospital in the amount of $15.  There was also a free will offering for Baptist Schools and College totaling $40.  In the spirit of giving, parishioners also helped pay the expenses of Brother Harold Marsh, District Missionary at $3 per month which was giving to the district mission board treasurer.  The amount was later raised to $5.
 
            The church was given a picture of Jesus by pastor Vinson on the occasion of his resignation in 1947.  The picture now hangs in the prayer room.  Brother Joe Causey then became pastor. 
 
In 1949, Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Avitt made and donated a church sign for the front lawn.  In July of this year, Brother Joe Causey resigned and Brother Wayne Coleman was called as pastor. 
In 1950, the Salem Association asked each church to pay for space in the county newspaper proclaiming “What Baptists Believe.”  Brother Adkisson paid the cost of $8.40 for article space.
 
            Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Roberts donated an electric heater for the comfort of the church.
 
            The church voted to increase insurance coverage on the church to $2000 for damages from windstorms, fires and lightning.  The premium was $13.80 for the year.
 
            In giving to others, the Mother’s Day offering of $17.90 was sent to the Baptist Hospital in Louisville and members visited Glendale Orphanage Home for church services and had a picnic lunch at the children’s home. 
 
            The church voted to get an oil burning stove in December.  The stove arrived, minus a tank. 
 
            The church’s first bank account was established in November 1950 at E. H. And Sherman and Com Bank in Irvington. 
 
            The church voted to raise the pastor’s salary was raised to $25 per week.  However, in March, Brother Coleman resigned as pastor and Brother John Eddins was immediately called to service. 
 
            Many first took place under the leadership of Brother Eddins.  Training Union started up with an enrollment of 52 and the first Social Committee was formed.  The members were Miss Eunice Wemes, Mrs. J. O. Hardesty, Hobart Coomes and Mrs. P. R. Avitt. 
 
            The pastor started living on the church field for summer months and his salary was increased to $50 per week.  Membership had increased to 171 and Bible School enrollment was 80.  The chairman of Deacons was Hobart Coomes and Eunice Wiles was pianist. 
 
            During the year of 1952, the church membership grew to 204 and Ellis Adkisson, J. W. Brown, Raymond Alexander, C.L. Dodson and J. M. Barr were elected as deacons. 
 
            In February, the church launched a Lord’s Acre Program.  This is an auction for services, and items donated by church members.  Some of the donations came fro selling a hog, calf, corn and firewood and items such as food for a dinner, quilts and a saddle.  Twenty-five pledge cards were dedicated and others were promised for later when people decided on their projects.  In August, the Lord’s Acre sale was a success and $1,200 was raised.  The building fund offering from Homecoming that year was $1,577.55.  When added to previous pledges, the fund totaled $3,943.16. 
 
            Later that year, the church bought 15 metal folding chairs at a cost of $48.94.  The chairs will be used for the young people’s class or wherever needed.
 
In January 1953 the congregation unanimously voted to build a new church.  Pastor Eddins presented plans and the the building committee and congregation approved them.
 
 The first services were held in the new building were held at a revival on Saturday, July 25, 1953.  Brothers Sigurd Bryan was the evangelist.  Homecoming was held the next day. The cost of the building and equipment including a furnace was $6,817.75.  The pulpit furniture was donated by Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Brown.  By the end of the year, the building fund had swelled to $8, 484.47.
 
The new building had stained glass windows all of which wee donated as follows:  Russell A. Adkisson; In memory of Lillie F. Clarence L. Dodson and Family: In memory of Emma Wilton Adkisson by Family;  Ellis, Margaret, Catherine and Gail Adkisson; donated by Catherine and George C. Wiles;  in memory of Mrs. Blanche W. Adkisson by daughter, Vivian Knott;  Effie, Roscoe and Family;  Donated by Floyd and Jane Hall, Harold, Hazel and Family;  In memory of Anna J. And Elsie E. Miller;  M. J. Robertson and Family.
 
All the labor for the church was donated except the work of Mr. Earnest Lamkin to oversee the construction.  He received $1.50 per hour, of which he paid back his tithe of 15 cents per hour. 
 
On finishing work to the basement of the new church building, the congregation started having fellowships for the youth on Sunday night following worship services o the second and fourth Sundays of each month.  The value of the property was $15,000.
 
The church voted to increase the pay to the Coomes family for the care of the church grounds to $20 per month.  It was also decided to purchase a used piano for $20 and Mrs. G. C. Wiles bought one dozen metal chairs, both for use in the new basement.  The church sold the old building at auction for the sum of $350.  Mr. Russell Adkisson bought the old building and had it removed from the area in front of the new building. 
 
In January of 1954, the members enjoyed Bible study.  And the last of the finishing work o the basement cost $127.90 and all the work was done by members.  Suggestions were made for obtaining crushed rock and other material for making walks until the dirt settled, at which time concrete sidewalks could be made.  Cost for grading the yard was $70.  Also a motion was made to dig a well.  The motion was then revoked and a motion was made and passed to build a cistern instead.
 
The church voted to purchase an organ. At a cost of $1,350 for a new Baldwin model.  The members at the same business meeting also discussed and made a motion to remove a church member from the church roll because she was affiliated with another faith.
 
Due to controversy from sister churches and pastors, it was voted at business meeting to stop the Lord’s Acre Sales Auction even though several church members thought it was scripturally sound.  The basis for the sales was rom Provers 3:9 “Honor the Lord with they substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase.”  The members therefore voted to make their pledges and dedicate their projects as heretofore, but instead of having an auction, each one would dispose of his or her projects and give the proceeds to the annual church Thanksgiving service. 
 
A Dedication Service for the new building was held on October 17, 1954.  Their sermon was delivered by Dr. Dale Moody and the service was well attended.
 
The year of 1955 started off with a beautifying plan for our new church.  We purchased 67 new shrubs and plants for $174 and a new lawnmower.  Brother Eddins volunteered to mow the lawn for good exercise.  He also revived a $2 bonus for his healthful chore.  The church purchased  20 new children’s chairs at $2.95 each.  Later that year, Vacation Bible School was postponed indefinitely because of a bad diphtheria outbreak.
 
In august of 1956, a new Westinghouse stove was purchased for $139 and a refrigerator was donated to the church by Mrs. Joe Vessels.  A church sign was made and put in the Midway community to give directions to our location.  Mrs. Avitt painted the sign.  Total membership was 214.  Sunday school enrollment was 92, VBS was 78 and Training Union was 46.
 
1957 was a busy year for our church.  Members discussed buying new pews or refinishing the old ones.  It was decided that the members would refinish the pews themselves.  Mrs Claude Dodson offered a house on her property as a home for the pastor and his family.  The members accepted Mrs. Dodson’s generosity and use the house as a parsonage part time.
 
In April of 1957, Brother Eddins resigned and a farewell dinner was led for the family.  Following the dinner, all enjoyed games and fellowship.  When Brother Eddins came to Payneville, he was single, but met and married JoAnn Haverstock, a former Miss Kentucky while he was pastor. 
 
In July, Brother Walter Jackson was called as pastor.  Some improvements to the church building that year included new tile for the nursery and shutters for the steeple at $6 each. 
 
The church opened its first library in November of 1957.  Mrs. Ruth Kroush served as librarian and Miss Bessie Dodson agreed to make shelves for the new project.  The church found need for more room as they began to investigate an annex.
 
More space was added onto the back of the church by way of a “T” annex.  The estimated cost of he addition was $2,76.30.  Mrs. Reba Nevitt refinished the pews at a cost of $175 and we added a new piano for the auditorium for $135.  Screens for the window were ordered from Sear and Roebuck for $48.90 and Mr. Lamkin installed them.   The search for a new clock for the auditorium in exchange for free advertising failed and a new 15” face clock was purchased for $9.  Daryl Hesler served as pastor for youth week.
 
1958 was also a year that saw our church reaching out too help those less fortunate that ourselves.  We held Sunday School services for prisoners at the jail in order to share the good news of Jesus Christ who died to save us from our bondage of sin.
 
            The year ended with joy as we held our annual Christmas program with a surprise visit from the little old man with white whiskers and a red suit.  The red suit cost $10.90.  Santa gave apples, oranges and candy to the children.
 
            Beginning in 1959, indoor plumbing was installed in the bathrooms, the kitchen and the baptistry.  The cost of installation was $135.
 
The church voted to have a poster contest for the youth to participate in.  The posters were to advertise the lord’s Acre Program with the proceeds going for a game room for the youth.  The value of the church property had increased to $22,500.  Brother George Wiles was elected messenger to the Southern artist Convention.  1959 ended with a Watch Night service. 
 
In January of 1960, the game room was completed and on May 1st, the new annex was dedicated.  Dr. J. Leo Garrett, Professor of Historical Theology was the guest speaker.  The church also had stained glass windows installed in the new annex in honor or former paster, John Eddins, who was pastor when the church was built and the other one for Reverend Walter Jackson who was pastor when the annex was built.  One window is in the prayer room and the other in the Sunday School room adjacent to the sanctuary.
 
In June of that same year,, Brother Jackson resigned and Brother Blaine Tucker was called as pastor in September.  Brother Tucker was ordained in November and Reverend Martin  Tats was the speaker at the ordination service.  Brother Tucker adjourned the Lord’s Acre program. 
 
1961 found the church settling back into a general routine with no building projects underway.  However, new storm windows were ordered at a cost of $14.40 each.  The salary of the pastor was raised $5 per week. 
 
The annual Christmas was held to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  These Christmas programs had become big events with the enactment of a three act play with several individual parts being played by the older youth and adults.  Occasionally, beginner and primary Sunday school students would perform.  Mrs. Effie Avitt directed many of these plays with the help of Mrs. Eunice Livers and Mrs. Ruth Kroush at times. 
 
In 1962, the members of the church began to think about building a parsonage and Ellis Adkisson became an active deacon.  Dr. Eddins, former pastor, returned to visit and was guest speaker at the Homecoming Service.  The membership of the church is now 227.  There was a total enrollment for Sunday school of 121 and Training Union 73. 
 
In January of 1963, 16 wooden choir chairs were purchased for the choir loft at a cost of $116 each.  The total of all chairs was $1,856.  In further furniture news, the church secretary sent a thank you note to Judge St. Clair for 15 shelves he sent to us. 
 
The deacons were to decide whether to purchase a new furnace.  They opted to purchase a furnace for $1,000, but when the it arrived, it was not as big as the church had paid for.
 
In July, the church had a dinner or the senior citizens in the community with the young adults as waiters and waitresses. 
 
In 1864, Brother Tucker resigned as pastor and Brother Kent Anglin was called to serve.  The pastors salary was raised to $60 a week.  There was discussion about renting a house, owned by Mrs. Livers for  $40 per month for the pastor, but no action was taken.  The church members began working on dividing the basement into permanent Sunday school rooms. 
 
            In April of 1965, the church held an Easter Sunrise service with a breakfast following.  Expenditures for the time included purchasing a new mimeograph machine and to help a widow lady in the community who had 9 children, all illiterate, learn to drive to she could get to church.
 
That Autumn, the church voted to have Chris White from the Southern Baptist Seminary to come and plan youth activities.  He would receive $15 each time he came. 
 
In 1966, the congregation voted to keep a pastor on the field full time and to build a parsonage.  A committee was appointed to start on the parsonage as soon as possible.  Mr. Lamkin suggested the church dig a basement for the new house and he would take it from there.  Mr. Lamkin made a contract to build the two bedroom home at a cost of  approximately $8.000.
In June of that year, Brother Anglin resigned. 
 
Reverend John Hughes was chosen as the new pastor and in January of 1967, Brother Hughes was ordained into the ministry an his father, Reverend J. Clarence Hughes of South Carolina led the service.  Another guest minister was Reverend John A. Gustafson, Assistant Chaplain at Kentucky Baptist Hospital who assisted with the ordination.
 
In September of 1967, the parsonage was paid in full.  Brother Hughes and his wife, Carol, were the first to live in the new home.  In July of 1969, Brother Hughes resigned effective in August. 
 
In September of 1969, Brother Allen Oliver was called as pastor.  In December of the same year, the church voted to ordain James Winters and reinstate Bill Calebs.  In February of 1971, James Winters and Bernard Dodson were ordained as deacons.  At the same service, Brother Oliver was ordained into the ministry.
 
During the years Brother Oliver was pastor, a large youth group was active.  Allen and his wife, Brenda, led the youth in a performance musical called “Tell It Like It Is.”. The group, named The Spiritual Attraction, traveled to many churches to perform.  Many lives were touched and some people were saved at these performances and several in the group were saved or rededicated their lives to Christ.  In May of 1972, the group recorded an album and dedicated it to the Olivers. 
 
Brother Oliver resigned in 1972 and the church called Reverend Gary Kunz as their new pastor. 
 
In January of 1973, the church set some goals for the coming year.  They were working at having 100 in Sunday school and 200 in the worship service, having everyone as tethers and to have more active members active in leadership.  Other improvements they hoped to accomplish was to landscape the property, tune the piano, get a new mimeograph machine, improve or get a new heating system, paint the outside of the church, fix the pews so they don’t speak, get a sound system and enlarge the parking lot.  The church voted to pay Tim Livers $15 a week as recreation director for the youth.
 
In March of 1974, the church voted to pay $24 on expenses of anyone interested in attending Ridge Crest or Glorietta Camp. Ladonna Winters and Meda Brown planned to go to Ridge Crest with another church.  They had their bags packed all ready to go when they got the word there wasn’t enough room on the bus. 
 
The church voted pay Mr. and Mrs. Jack Simmons $40 to teach Vacation Bible school in night sessions.  Also concerning the young people of our congregations, a special youth fund for paving a basketball court was established and skating parties were the main form of recreation. 
 
In December, the church made up fruit baskets for delivery to the needy in our community.  Also for the holidays, the choir enjoyed working with the pastor’s wife, Margaret Kunz, as she served at their director. 
 
In January o f1974, Brother Kunz resigned as pastor with his resignation becoming effective March 31st or whenever the church found a new pastor.  Brother Kunz went on to work in a laboratory in Washington DC in search of a cure for cancer.
 
On March 17, 1974, the church called Reverend Tony Roberts as pastor.  During his time at Payneville, Brother Tony and his wife Fran led the older youth and young married couples of our church in performing a musical called, “The Sound of America.”  The singers wore red, white and blue outfits while performing upbeat songs and playing kazoos.  The group visited many churches include in’s a church dear to the Roberts which was located in Sevierville, Tennessee.  We enjoyed visiting the Smoky Mountains and sharing the Gospel through music.
 
In 1976, the church licensed one of it’s own.  Ronnie Lamkin went into the ministry at the young age of 18.  He dedicated his life to serve God and became a Chaplain in the military traveling around the world telling good news of Jesus Christ. 
 
In April of that year, the church voted to have Marion Osborne plastic spray the ceiling of the auditorium and remove the wooden strips covering the seams of dry wall.  The members of the church finished the walls with off-white paint.  Also, the church voted to buy a new clock, as the current one being too noisy.  A 12 inch clock was purchased for $11. 
 
Brother Tony resigned in October of 1976 and Roger LeMaster became our pastor in December.  He was ordained in February of 1977, and his father, Reverend Don LeMaster spoke at his service. 
 
In April of 1977, the church voted to carpet the auditorium and to hire a music director.  The total cost of the carpeting was $657.  Brother LeMaster and his brother-in-law, Rick Mock, laid the carpet.  They also put new carpet in the parsonage.  New carpeting in the auditorium called for a better vacuum cleaner which cost $170.
 
In May, the nursery was remodeled and a door was cut in between it and the Sunday school room next to it to make a play room for the toddlers.  The church voted to pay someone $24 to watch the nursery during revival. 
 
Other items of business in 1977 include hiring Rick Mock, Brother Roger’s brother-in-law as associate pastor and David Tew as music and youth director.  Insurance on the church was increased from $26,000 to $39,000.
 
The cost to join the basketball league was $75.  Thelma Dodson donated basketball uniforms for our church team with the money she made from hand making and selling Barbie doll clothes. 
 
That same year, the group beside the church was graded for future use as a possible recreation area.  Much of the money raised for this project by the youth over the years came from having yard sales and bake sales and Mrs. Lillie Dodson let the young people have their sales in her yard.  Several of the adults helped contribute items for the sales. 
 
The church voted to have the shrubs removed from the front of the church because they had gotten too big.  $80 was spent on new shrubbery to replace the old ones.  Not too much later, part of the new shrubs died and had to be replaced at a cost of $45.60.
 
In early 1978, the church remodeled the vestibule by lowering the ceiling, installing new lights and paneling the walls.  New doors, donated by rms. Myrtle Hardesty and Mary and Bill Savage were installed in the front of the church in memory or Mrs. and Mrs. Raymond Alexander.  Unfortunately, these doors soon had to be replaced because they were hung wrong and ruined.  They were replaced with metal doors and the plagues from the wooden doors were placed on the metal doors.  The metal doors were $199.35.
 
While David Tew was youth minister, the Salem Association took a group of young people to Mount Oprah, Ohio.  The group helped found a mission and hold a vacation Bible school.  David Tew and Debbie Lamkin represented Payneville Baptist.
 
Because the back rooms of the church are cold, the church had Pete Barr build a flue for the recreation room and install a wood burning stove.  The cost was $104. 
 
Over the years, there had been problems with water getting into the basement and several attempts to fix the situation had not worked.  More landscaping had been planted to turn the rainfall away from the building, but it was later found that the problem was insufficient guttering for the size of the building.  Leonard Miller was hired to put up larger guttering at a cost of $412.  Carl Sturgeon was Leonard’s assistant on the job.
 
In 1979 David Tew resigned from our church in order to serve as pastor at Raymond Baptist Church in Breckinridge County.  In the fall of the year, Benny Biven was called as minister of music and youth director. 
 
Mr. Herman Kroush donated the material for a trophy case and Joe Conley constructed it.  The case was located in the back of the auditorium to display all the hardware won by our sports teams.
 
The church was still getting water in the basement and members decided their only alternative was to dig the dirt from around the basement, coat the outside with tar and plastic and lay drain tile and rock around the basement wall.  A special fund was started to cover the cost of this project.  This fund was named the Herman Kroush Memorial fund in honor of his faithful work in the church for many years.  By June, the fund had reached the amount of $897.47 to start the work.
 
In 1980, the church was donated a van for use in bringing folks to Bible study, Sunday school and other church activities.  Members took turns driving the van.
 
That summer, the basement waterproofing finally got under way.  Stephen Foster was paid $75 to remove the dirt from around the basement.  Gary Wine was hired to paint the exterior of the building at $5 per hour.  He worked 100 hours and used 10 gallons of paint for a grand total of $463. 
 
           
In October of 1980, Brother LeMaster resigned and Bruce Vaughn was called as pastor.  In June of 1871, our church heard wedding bells as Pastor Vaughn married Kathy Cattlett at Barren Run Baptist Church near Hodgenville, Kentucky.  In September of that year, Benny Biven resigned at minister of music.  In December, Roger Walworth was called to fill the position. 
 
In January of 1982, the church bought four new tables and several new chairs for use in the Sunday school rooms.  Several of those were donated by church members.  Later that Spring, the church had Gary Wine come back and paint the outside of the parsonage for $291.  After the basement stayed dry for several month, the church once again voted to paint the basement.  Church members did the painting of the basement and the folding chairs.  New curtains were bought for the kitchen and recreation room.
 
The young married couples had a yard sale to make money to improve their Sunday school classroom.  With the funds, they laid vinyl flooring, painted the walls, put up curtains and purchased a tablecloth. 
 
The youth and adults joined forces to present an Easter musical entitles “Living Witness” under the direction of Roger Walworth.  Due to a heavy class load at the seminary, Roger had to resign later that year.
 
In January of 1983, Brother Vaughn resigned as pastor in order to further his education at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.  The church called Brother Mark Hearn as pastor in March. 
 
The church voted to remodel the auditorium in May.  They further voted to take money from a special fund started years before to build a recreation building for the youth and instead use the money to pay for the auditorium renovation.  This was done thanks to Mrs. Ruth Kroush, Thelma Dodson and Edna Brown for the work they did in helping build this fund. New drywall was hung, new trim work and lights were installed at a cost of 4,000.
 
            In 1983, Payneville Baptist Church became incorporated.  The Church Constitution and Bylaws were implemented.    Robert Miller was the attorney who handled the incorporation process.  The church now had a constitution and by-laws.
 
            In October, the church took part in an Associational drive for Sunday school called, “One More Than Ever Before in 84.”  Our church goal kick-off was the last Sunday in the month and our total attendance that day was 96.  During the campaign, the young married couples class served breakfast for everyone who attended Sunday school.
 
Having come a long way since the days of baptism in the often frozen pond, the church installed a heating element in the baptistry in 1984.  Payneville Baptist was blessed to use this baptistry quite a bit thanks to the spirit moving at a revival in 1984.   During the revival, Brother Hearn and two helpers, Lisa Osborne and Shirley Jarboe made the largest know banana split in our association.  The ice cream creation was 20 feet long.
 
The church finally dug a well at a cost of $5,400.  The parsonage was having problems with water leaking into the basement and they hired Garland Brown to dig around the basement and fix it the way the church basement was fixed.  After the work was completed, remodeling of the basement was necessary and improvements to the upstairs were done. 
 
The choir performed a musical at Easter entitled, “Alive” and a Christmas musical called, “In the Beginning” under the direction of Brother Hearn.  The church also presented a Christmas play called, “Christmas at Our House” under the direction of Linda Barr.  At the conclusion of the play, the entire congregation joined in a candle lighting service.  The children were very pleased with a visit from Santa bringing candy, apples and oranges.
  
             Mark Hearn resigned as pastor in April of 1985 and Brother Jerry Trantham was called as pastor in September of that year.  Brother Jerry directed a very successful vacation Bible school that year and we had several successful events while he was pastor.  Every room was filled with teachers telling their Savior, Jesus Christ.  The culmination of the VBS was a parent’s night as all the children sang songs, and showed off what they had learned and created.
 
            Brother Trantham had a gift of empathy that blessed the congregation.  In frigid December of 1985, during a fierce snowstorm, Brother Jerry preached the funeral of longtime church member, Lora Barr.  He stayed with the family that lingered at the graveside despite the terrible cold.  Within 42 days, he would be standing on the same frozen ground preaching the funeral of Lora’s husband, Morton Barr.
 
            Brother Trantham resigned as pastor in March of 1989 and Robert Walker became our pastor in 1989.  Brother Walker and his wife, Alicia were very active with the youth and young adults and would often initiate activities for the whole church.  Alicia taught piano lessons to some of our young people and served as minister of music.
 
            One such activity was the annual church picnic that was enjoyed by kids of all ages.  The Carl Sturgeon family, the Neal Dodson family and the Gary Randy family all hosted this very popular get-together which always enjoyed a large attendance.  At theses picnics, there were legendary three-legged races and potato sack races which always produced some good natured ribbing and lots of laughs.  The picnic would end on a sweet note with desserts and home made ice cream.
 
            One of the most memorable moments with Brother Walker was a foot washing ceremony at Easter.  It was so touching, that the entire congregation was in tears when it was finished. 
 
            The church newsletter, The Proclaimer was created under Robert’s direction to keep our members abreast of what was going on.  Brother Walker resigned in March of 1991.
 
            In mid 1991, Brother Bruce Gentry came on board as pastor of our church.  Brother Bruce and his wife, Becky, soon became very active members in Meade County and made Payneville their home for 6 years.  Becky was very musical and often graced our services with her talent.  She worked at assistant musical director for Meade County High School. 
 
            Pastor Bruce served as leader of the Meade County Ministerial Association and shared many chats with the priest who served St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church located directly across the street from our church.  With his God-given talent of teaching, Brother Bruce joined the faculty and staff at Southeast Missouri State University. 
 
            In June of 1997, Brother Joe Vetter agreed to serve as interim pastor while the church search committee worked diligently to find the candidate that God had in mind to lead us.  Brother Joe and his wife, Mary, (yes, Joseph and Mary) served our church faithfully in times of need and with his military background, Brother Joe told it like it was. 
 
            The youth of our church always looked forward to attending camp at the Kentucky Baptist Convention Cedarmore Camp facility in Shelby County, Kentucky.  Your youth groups raised money for camps through Avon fundraisers, bake sales and calendar sales.  We always sent good kids who had fun and drew closer to the Lord and to each other.  Many of our youth made decisions to accept Christ at the facility and a few went back to work as camp counselors to other Baptist youth from all over Kentucky.
 
            In June, 1996, the church was given a substantial monetary gift from the estate of long-time member and deacon, Oscar Barr.  The gift was used to purchase new padded pews and pulpit furniture for the sanctuary.  The old church pews were given to members of the congregation to have as a piece of their church history.
 
            In July of 1999, Joel Thompson was called as pastor.  Brother Joel was a young bachelor, but had a gift of sharing God’s Word in a calm, confident manner. He led our church in a special focus n sharing God’s love and in October and called it “Lighthouse Month.”  The entire congregation was called to shine the light of Jesus on their local communities through work, school and social events.
 
            As in years past, the holiday season was busy, but extremely special.  We celebrated our annual “Hanging of the Greens” service and on December 17, 2,000, we enjoyed the presentations of adult and children’s cantatas.  Our church is surely blessed with musical talent. 
 
            After becoming engaged while serving as our pastor, Brother Joel resigned in January of 2001.  He and his new wife, Elizabeth, moved to work at a larger church in Cincinnati.  The congregation took up a love offering for them as they moved on.  Minister of Music, Chris Richardson help out with the church duties and supply pastors from the seminary provided sermons.  A pastoral search committee was formed on January 21st of that year.
 
            March 25, 2001 was a special day for honoring our senior adult church members.  They were honored during the sermon and treated to a delicious luncheon.  Like those before them, the elders are the cornerstones of our church and their wisdom and guidance are priceless. 
 
            We continued to enjoy the many works of our own poet laureate, Virginia Churchman.  Many times her work appeared in the weekly bulletin and newsletter and she would also read her poetry during worship services.
 
            Music Minister, Chris Richardson led an outing to hear Pastor Billy Graham in Louisville.  He also volunteered to drive people from the Graham Ministry Crusade while they were in Kentucky.  Many church members attended the Crusade which was held June 21-24, 2001 in Louisville Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. 
 
            Starting in October of 2001, it was announced that the second Sunday of each month would be set aside for taking up building fund offering.  Lord willing, these funds would be used to build a new addition to the church so that we are not crammed into our church fellowship hall like sardines. 
 
            One of our youth members, Amanda Frazier, was preparing to travel to China as a Baptist missionary during the Christmas holiday.   A love offering was taken up for 2 Sundays after worship to help her with expenses for the trip.  Furthermore, to show our love for Amanda and the unsaved of China, or church voted at a special called business meeting on October 28th to provide the remainder of her mission trip expenses.
 
            Beginning the first Sunday in January and continuing through the the month of February, 2002, interim pastor Joe Vetter delivered a series of sermons focused on the Ten Commandments.  He was well known for his weekly statement, “That’s where the rubber meets the road!”  Brother Joe said he coveted our prayers for him in any and all sermon preparation.
 
In early 2002, the church underwent a significant remodeling including improvements to the basement, vestibule and Sunday school rooms with the hope of a future addition to the fellowship hall.  Many hours of tender loving care by countless church members of all ages went into the basement remodel.  The completed basement added value and beauty to the building at a cost of approximately $17, 700.
  
            The youth group, led by Kim Brown Quire, hosted a “Coffee House of Love” on February 17, 2002.  They were raising funds for church camp.  Coffee, tea, cocoa and cookies were available for a small fee, but all talent presented by our young people was free to enjoy.  Since our basement was demolished at this time, the event was held in the basement of the parsonage.  There were two “reservation” times since the program had to be presented twice in order to fit everyone in.
 
            Our youth traveled to Wayside Christian Mission on May 11 of that year to deliver supplies.  The mission is always in urgent need of all basic toiletries and non perishable food items.
 
            On May 19, 2002, the church welcomed Brother Chris Vinson, pastoral candidate and his wife, Jessica and their son, Eli.  Immediately following the morning worship service, we had dinner on the grounds to meet the Vinsons.  Brother Chris returned that evening to lead us in the 6:00 p.m. service.  Immediately following the sermon, the church had a special called business meeting and voted to call Brother Chris as our pastor.
 
            We welcomed Dr. Bruce Gentry, his wife Becky and their daughter, Lydia as our special guests at our Homecoming service that year on July 28th.  After enjoying dinner on the grounds, their musical group, “Higher Ground” and our friend from the Southern Baptist Seminary, Frank Carter, pianist extraordinaire, provided inspired musical entertainment. 
 
            In September of 2002, our minister of music, Chris Richardson resigned to focus on his education at the seminary and devote his time to music.  His musical talent and leadership during our times without a pastor was a blessing.
 
Also in September, members of the Newsletter Committee printed its first issue in years. The newsletter will inform, enlighten and entertain church members with upcoming church and community events, a prayer list, member tributes, mission opportunities as well as articles of importance from the pastor.
 
            In October of the same year, professional photographers, Olan Mills prepared a new church directory with family portraits, names, addresses and pictures of past events held at church.  The directory is useful in keeping up with phone numbers and mailing addresses of our church family.
 
            The church choir worked hard for weeks to prepare for a Christmas Cantata held on December 21st at 5:00 p.m.  The pews were full to receive the blessing of the Christmas story shared through song.  After the program, there was a reception in the fellowship hall.  Everyone enjoyed refreshments and lots of good cheer as we celebrated the greatest gift ever given.
It should be noted that during this time of giving, our Lottie Moon Christmas offering exceeded our goal of $1, 650 to over $2,000 and church members filled 22 shoeboxes for underprivileged children throughout the world. 
 
            As an outreach event, our church sponsored a Community Fun Fest on Saturday, May 15, 2004.  This was a bid undertaking and nearly every member worked to make it a success.  There was a cook-out, jumping gym, barrel train rides, live music and early registration for Vacation Bible School.  The main focus of the event was to open our arms and church doors to the community.
 
            Our church held a Patriotic Fourth of July program to celebrate the John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.”  Each Sunday school class and church committee groups presented a song, poem, skit, game or dance.  Congregants wore red, white and blue clothing and enjoyed red, white and blue foods. 
 
            We have always been a church which believes in sharing what we have with others to spread the Gospel.  In 2004 and 2005, our congregation was awarded with certificates from the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for giving the largest per capita Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in the Salem Baptist Association.
 
            We are pleased to have sent many of our church family on mission trips throughout the county, state, country and world. Our church has helped spread the Gospel in Payneville, Appalachia, Montana, China, Brazil, Haiti, Guatamala, Kenya and Poland just to name a few.  We raised funds through bake sales, having a booth at the annual Farm Toy Show, selling zipper purses and having yard sales. 
 
            Many fun social events with church family and the community were held throughout the years and continue to this day, including scavenger hunts, movie nights, family fun nights which featured board games and Rook tournaments, PBC versions of the Newlywed Game and Family Feud, a secret pal program and much more.  Instead of having a traditional Halloween party, our congregation began having Harvest Celebrations which include hay rides, costume contests, fishing tournaments, yard games and delicious cool weather foods.  Members also got to wear their jeans and casual clothes to morning worship on these days. Of course, dinner on the grounds and pancake breakfasts will always a big event for our church since we are blessed with many good cooks.
 
            Outreach events we have hosted in the past have included health screenings, block parties, services at the Beehive Assisted Living Home, the Medco Nursing Home, and the Meade County Detention Center.  Christmas caroling at the homes of the elderly and shut ins, food drives for the local food bank and filling shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for poor children around the world through the Samaritan's Purse are a good example of showing love to those less fortunate.   The most important event held each year was and continues to be Vacation Bible School.  VBS draws many children from all over Meade and Breckinridge Counties.
 
            Brother Chris Vinson resigned in April 2005.  He, Jessica, Eli and Jake will be serving at a church in Missouri.  A Search Committee was formed and will work with Southern Baptist Seminary for pastoral candidates.
 
            In June of 2005, some of our church family stepped out on faith and went on our first international mission trip as a group.  Those traveling to Beneditinos, Brazil were Donald and Linda Blair and their grandson, Zach Noe, Melody Dodson and Susie Barr.  Their work included encouraging and growing a tiny church of only a few members.  Many of the nationals became believers and those who were already Christians were strengthened.  Every member of PBC participated in the mission trips by going, giving and praying, thus fulfilling the Great Commission.  After the team returned from Brazil, the church voted to adopt the Fabiano Soares family on a year trial basis, as a mission program. 
 
            In order to grow our building fund, on October 14, 2005, we held a Lord's Acre Sale just as we had in years gone by.   Mr. Alexander of Alexander/Butler Realty and Auction presided over the auction which included a steer, quilts, furniture, homemade desserts, handcrafted treasures and much more.  Approximately, $5,000 was raised and a good time was had by all.
 
            Instead of having a traditional Halloween party, our congregation began having Harvest parties which include hay rides, costume contests, a fishing tournament, yard games and delicious cool weather foods.  Members also got to wear their jeans and casual clothes to morning worship on those days. 
 
Chris Wilson, his wife Lori and their two daughters, Hannah and Zoe were introduced to the congregation as a pastor candidate at the Harvest Party in October and were warmly accepted.  On November 6, 2005, Chris became the pastor.  One month later, it was a beautiful sight to have Christmas lights glowing in the parsonage window as the house had been empty for 4 years.
 
            On December 7, a large group from our church attended the Living Christmas Tree and Nativity Story at Seven’s Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown.  This particular evening was dedicated to 500 young soldiers from Fort Knox that were preparing to leave for Iraq. The musical was quite an extravaganza featuring camels. Horses, flying angels and a cast of 80 plus people. The best part of the evening was getting to spend time with the troops.
 
            We had once again been blessed to have a pastor that is a good teacher and a good communicator.  Brother Chris led our congregation in mission trips, Bible studies, baptisms and deep learning.  Also being a good sport, Chris agreed to a contest during VBS to see if the boys or the girls would being the most offering, by weight, to church.  After the coin tally, it was somehow discovered that miraculously, there was a tie.  Brother Chris and VBS director, Susie Barr both received chocolate pies in the face from one another.  A great time was had by all in the spirit of fun and teaching the children about giving. 
 
            It was also around that time that our youth became very active under the care of Donald and Linda Blair, youth directors.  Our young people began to make home visits to the elderly, sick and others who had not been to church in a wheel.  They would also visit homes of people they thought might be open to an invitation to come worship with us.  It didn’t really matter who the people were, they would go.  That Christmas, the youth raised $652.00 and used that money to provide Christmas to families at Wayside Christian Mission.
 
On January 22, 2006, after many years of faithful saving, several generous donations and countless prayers, the congregation voted overwhelmingly to build the fellowship hall we had needed for so long. The cost of the new addition would be approximately $205,000 and the church had saved up $175,000 in the building fund.  The Building and Funds Committee members were: Mike Barr, Neal Dodson, Fred Blankenship, Gary Raney and Donald Blair.
 
After receiving only one bid for the new addition, the Building and Funds Committee hired Watkins Contracting from Hardinsburg to construct the new fellowship hall onto the back of the church.  The bid for heating and air conditioning was $18,649.67, Electrical was $16,568.9, plumbing for $12,420.00 and the bid for all non mechanical work was $142,761.35.  The total came to $19,400.00 plus $3,500 for converting an upstairs room to a bathroom.  Construction is to start the third week of March.
 
            On February 11, 2006, a group took a scouting trip to Booneville to see about working at a mission located deep in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky.  The Emma Quire Mission is located right in the center of a town that needed a lot of help.  Nearly 42% of the population of the county live below the poverty line. 
 
            After troubles with lengthy delays, bad weather, incorrect measurements, shoddy work and a missing contractor, members of the Building and Grounds Committee sought the services of the county attorney as to how to recoup what we had paid to Watson Contracting.  Neal Dodson reported that a letter had be sent to Watkins Construction by the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office directing Mr. Watkins to reimburse the church $5,600 for work not completed.  The church doesn’t have to do anything else. 
 
Construction was halted and the congregation was asked to pray for God's blessing and guidance on how to continue in the future.  Faithful as always, God was with our church family, as we were able to recoup some money lost on the Watson deal.  In addition, we were blessed that Greg Stull construction agreed to correct what construction had been done and to finish the building.  The Stull bid was higher, but we decided to move forward. 
 
           
            At the November business meeting, Dave and Patty Huffman reported that they were unable to find the deed to the church at the Meade County Courthouse.  We must have a deed to secure financing for the addition.  Donald Blair made a motion to order a “Quiet Deed” through attorney Steve Crebessa for $75.  Motion carried. 
 
            Many items were discussed at the January, 2007 business meeting.  Gary Raney, church treasurer, reported that partial payment from Watkins Construction had been made in reimbursement.  The final payment is due in March when Mr. Watkins should receive is income tax return.
 
Melody Dodson presented a quote for a new projector and large screen and that she had gotten a donation of $700 towards the purchase.  This purchase would allow the pastor to show mission videos Bible study aids, Vacation Bible School material and power point presentations.
During this time, we also obtained a license to show movies as part of our church socials without infringing on copyright laws.
 
            Those in attendance at the business meeting voted to support the bus ministry of the Salem Baptist Association of which we are a member church.  The $250 donation will help repair the bus under the supervision of Jack and Wilma Simmons who run the bus ministry.
 
It was further voted at the business meeting to pay for youth leaders, Donald and Linda Blair to attend a youth conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee in February at a cost of $188 for the registration fee.  The church made a motion to give them $350 for the conference and expenses. 
 
In March, the Building and Grounds Committee stated the women of church should start dreaming and planning about the new kitchen of the addition!  Items mentioned were a roll around cabinet/island, an ice maker and a Rannai water heater.    
 
            On June, 9, 2007, the new (85% complete) fellowship hall was host to its first big event, when Tia Dodson married Nathan Whelan in an evening wedding ceremony.  The nuptials had to be held on the 9th of June as Tia’s grandparents, Jimmy and Edna Brown, parents, Neal and Melody Dodson and Aunt Robin Dutschke’s wedding all took place on June 9th and all at Payneville Baptist Church.
 
            In August of 2007, there was discussion of new tables and chairs for the fellowship hall.
It was decided to order 8-8’ tables, 14-60” round tables, 2 table carts and 120 chairs for a cost of $4,046.  Pledges from church members to pay for the tables and chairs would be collected through September.
 
            In an amazing bit of irony, after reading the history of Payneville Baptist Church, Pastor Chris Wilson found the following information that tied his family’s history to our church history.  The following is an email Brother Chris sent to congregants on August 24, 2007:
 
            “I was reminded again of how small the world really is after all while I was reading the church history.  My grandparents attended Oak Grove Church in Pinson, Alabama for many years; Grandma’s still a member.  Grandad was a deacon for 50+ years.  And Oak Grove was basically a second church home to me while growing up too (though we were never members there; my father is technically still a member there though he hasn’t attended regularly anywhere for years and years).  
 
The folks at Oak Grove developed a special relationship with one of the professors at Stamford University (back while it was still Howard College), one Dr. Sigurd Bryan.  He would come and preach sometimes when Oak Grove was between pastors, and he came to teach January Bible study pretty much every year for several decades.  When my grandfather was dying of Alzheimer’s, my grandmother would call Dr. Bryan pretty regularly just to talk, and because of the small church struggles to keep a pastor, they’re usually without one at any given time, so she’s just grown to depend on Dr. Bryan for pastoral care over the years.
 
So What?
 
According to our church history, our current church building was finished in 1954, and the first services held in it were revival services held in July.  Can anybody guess who the evangelist was who preached the first messages in our current sanctuary?  A young student at Southern, one Sigurd Bryan.  Neat, huh?”
 
Have a Blessed Day!
Chris Wilson
Pastor:  Payneville Baptist Church
 
On August 25, 2007, our church’s oldest member, Hobart Coomes, aged 97, was called home to be with the Lord.  He served as deacon for may years and held numerous other positions during his life here at Payneville.  Through his dedication and faith, Mr. Coomes was blessed to see five generations of his family attend this church. 
 
In September of that year, Salem Baptist Association annual meeting representatives were Donald and Linda Blair, Rose Raney, Ruby Blankenship and Dave and Patty Huffman.  Church Clerk, Thelma Dodson will finish and send the church letter to the secretary of the association. 
 
In October of that year, a work/cleaning day was planned to get the building and grounds ready for the dedication service for the new addition.  It was one of the most happy times anyone had ever had cleaning a church as everyone present was glorifying God for the blessing of His provision.
 
Furthermore, is was announced that the remodel of the Baptismal was completed and open for business.  Irvington Gas Company donated the temperature controller. 
 
$4,295 in a special offering had been collected from church members to pay for the tables and chairs. 120 chocolate colored folding chairs, 5 folding chair carts, 8 eight foot folding tables, 16 sixty inch round tables and 3 table carts were to be ordered.  Later, plans were changed to order all the new chairs in taupe, as shipping the chocolate colored chairs would cost $699.
 
Youth directors, Donald and Linda Blair volunteered to start “A Vision” outreach every Saturday night from 7-10 p.m.  They committed to plan and facilitate the program for 1 year.  Movies, games, popcorn, Kool-Aid will be enjoyed and members were welcome to join the mission to spread the Gospel to whoever would attend.  The church voted at the April 4, 2007 business meeting to give $500 to start the outreach account and to give $350 for a flashing sign to promote the events. 
 
On November 11, 2007, our church celebrated Thanksgiving and the dedication service for the new addition.  The entire congregation and many visitors in attendance praised God for the bounty that had been poured out on the family of believers we call Payneville Baptist Church.  We were reminded of the sweet scripture from Luke 12:32 which says, “Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” 
 
In May of 2008, our church hosted an International missionary on May 10th and 11th.  Bill Kerr with the International Board told us about how our Lottie Moon offering is being used to reach those living without Christ in the Atlas Mountains of Africa. 
 
Our own church member, Katie Barr who is a current serving in Northern Africa and the Middle East sent a letter asking for the congregation’s prayers for the staggering number of lost people in NAME.  Pray for God’s provision for deep quality time with Him, patience and grace, help with language lessons in French, Arabic and Berber and sometimes a combination of the three called “Frarabic” and to be able to get more rest. 
 
June of that year proved to be busy with our annual Vacation Bible School, youth camp, pancake breakfast and the mission team working at a food booth at Threshing Days and Antique Power show at Otter Creek Park.   The youth group  filled the spot on the church lawn where the gas tank sat.  The church rewarded them with a pizza party.
 
The baptismal got a good workout as we celebrated Believer’s Baptism  on July 13th and 20th for Nicole Brunt, Logan and Brent Raley and Janie Williams.  Brother Chris says he would be happy to keep the baptismal pool full of water and use it every week!
 
As a community outreach on July 19th, 2008, we combined a Saturday Night Family Fun Fest with the Vacation Bible School Parent night.  The VBS kids brought their family and friends for a good old fashioned carnival with food, party games and Christian fellowship.  A collection of gently used stuffed animals, toys and trinkets were collected as prizes for the games. 
 
The church picnic was held on a swelter late August day immediately following morning worship.  Praise God that we have plenty of room for everyone and good air conditioning blowing in the new addition. As in the past, the athletes in our church joined in playing volleyball in the sand pit next to church.  Others played games and sang karaoke.     
 
A new Sunday school class was started on September 7th for young adults.  The class is for anyone who feels too old for the youth group and anyone who feels too young for the Adult I class.  Pastor Chris asked parishioners to pray earnestly about whether God was calling them to serve as a teacher. 
 
A new fundraiser for the Mission fund was started and it was a bit trashy.  The Meade County Recycle Center paid $100 per mile of select county highways to organizations who would pick up trash, litter and all manner of garbage from the right of way.  We cleaned 18 miles as we prayed for the people around the world who we might one day meet and tell them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
In November, we collected donations of food for the Meade County Food Bank.  The canned goods and non perishable food items were placed in a lovely autumn display to remind us all of how blessed we are and to remind us to share with the less fortunate.
 
 The annual Thanksgiving dinner was enjoyed on November 16th and on the 23rd, we joined with the congregation of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for a community wide Thanksgiving service.  Brother Chris, Father Bob Abel led the service.  Following the service, a reception for everyone was hosted by the ladies of St. Marys. 
 
As the end of the year approached, the Wilson’s added baby girl number 4 on December 1st and our church held our “Casseroles and Carols” fellowship.  Members ate comfort food and then went to the homes of shut-ins, ill church members and local retirement homes to sing Christmas carols.  We also took them plates of food and care packages which included fruit, chap stick, lotion, socks, gloves and other helpful items. 
 
All were blessed by the talented members of our church who presented a Christmas Cantata entitled, “Bethlehem Gulch” on December 21, 2008.  Christmas Eve service and communion were observed the following week.  The children came dressed in their pajamas and spent the silent night in celebration of our Savior’s birth. 
 
On the January 6, 2008 business meeting, the church voted to allow treasurer, Gary Raney, to make larger payments on the new addition while keeping sufficient funds in the account for emergencies.  Praise the Lord, for on January 25, 2009, a very special celebration was held.  Brother Chris and the Building and Grounds committee members struck a match to the bank note declaring our church to be debt free and our new addition payed off!  Fortunately, we did not burn the building down.
 
            February brought us the largest ever power outage in Kentucky.  It was caused by a huge snow and ice storm and the entire state went into a state of emergency.  The weight of the ice caused the one lone tree in the front yard of the church to be ruined.  The storm did bring blessings in the way of service to others and caring for those who couldn’t take care of themselves such as God calls His people to do.  Brother Chris, Lori and the girls got two offers to stay with 2 church families and went to stay with Carl and Pam Sturgeon.  They all joked that both families definitely bonded over a warm fire, wood stove cooked meals, candles, and minimal bathing.
 
            Other events in 2009 include a Mother’s Day banquet and Father’s Day breakfast, home visitations, “Boomerang Express” VBS.  The highlight of the season was a Revival held in August.  Former UK basketball star Cameron Mills spoke at the August 2nd Sunday morning service which brought many local unchurched fans into our sanctuary.  The evening service emphasized our youth, as Brother Greg Roberts with the KBC Lay-led revival team.  Pastors Ken Bickel, Wayne Brown and Jerry Shepherd led the following 3 nights of the revival.  Former pastor, Mark Hearn was guest speaker at Homecoming.
 
            On October 11th,  a Deacon Ordination service took place to install Donald Blair, Dave Huffman and Sam Raley.  A barbecue and cake were enjoyed after the service.  Later in the Autumn, a 60th wedding anniversary party was held for Bernard “Sonnny” and Thelma Dodson in the fellowship hall and the annual Harvest party was held at Greg, Michele and Amy Lawsons home.
 
            2009 came to a close as our congregation gathered together to celebrate New Year’s Eve together.  The party and watch night were hosted by the Adult I and II Sunday school classes.
 
            In March of 2010, the church continued to enjoy the blessings of regular services held on Sunday mornings, Wednesday missions and youth meetings and monthly business meetings.  Special activities include hosting the worship services at Medco Nursing Home during the month of March, a St. Patrick’s Day get-together, an indoor yard sale for missions, church league softball sign-ups and an Easter egg hunt. 
 
            On July 18, 2010, Reverend Robert walker, former pastor of our church returned to speak at our Homecoming.  Robert was the Senior Pastor at Peachtree Baptist Church since May of 1998.  It was wonderful to welcome him and his family again.
 
            The Amazing (G)race Challenge was set for September 19th.  The fun event requires teams of church members to figure out clues, navigate themselves around the area, interact with locals, perform physical and mental challenges and try to show the world that Christians can have fun.  Nathan and Tia Whelan are planning the race this year.  Warning:  the team that wins “gets to” plan next year’s event. 
 
In November we held a Thanksgiving fellowship and delivered take-out trays of food to the elderly and shut-ins.  We also gathered our shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and delivered them to the county-wide collection site.  We began the celebration of Advent with the annual Hanging of the greens and our yearly Advent bulletin for the Holiday season.
 
2011 brought a youth led Sunday in which the young people of our congregation led the music, prayers requests, offering, sermon and a report about their recent youth conference.  Also, in January, we observed the Sanctity of Life service and had a Bible study on Galatians.  In February, we were blessed to have a Gideon guest speaker and Brother Chris began a special sermon series in Romans.
 
            Danny and Denise Tesseneer, missionaries from India were our guests and reported about God’s work there and how we could pray for them and their people group.  A group from our church were called on mission in Honduras where they did evangelism through music, work and teaching. 
 
In May and June of 2011, in addition to the traditional Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations, a contest was held to fill the pews.  A special prize was awarded to the Mom who, on Mother’s Day had the most family members in attendance and father who had the most family members present with him during the Father’s Day service in church that morning.  In the event of a tie, the oldest Mom/Dad would win. 
WHO WON???? HaHa!!
 
It was a joy to have our former pastor, Chris Vinson, his wife Jessica and their growing family at Homecoming, 2011. 
 
Brother Chris challenged his flock to do a chronological reading of the Bible in 2012.  A training for the task was held on January 15th to teach and encourage readers how to read, study and incorporate God’s Holy Word in their daily lives.
 
Proving that God’s service knows no bounds, the 8-12 year olds hosted a big Valentine’s Day dinner, not only helping prepare the food, but to serve it with a smile and clean up afterwards.  Baked spaghetti, bread, salad and dessert were enjoyed by a large crowd.  Donations were accepted from the guests and would be used to help with VBS 2012 and the Annie Armstrong Offering.
 
A group of youth and adult leaders traveled to the Jefferson Street Mission House in downtown Louisville on May 19, 2012.  With money the youth group earned from a yard sale, they delivered supplies suggested by the mission administrators.  They also worked on one of the rooms at the mission, sorted donated clothes and served lunch to a good number of homeless persons.  The best part of the day was when our young people joined shared time and God’s love with the people.
 
In August of 2013, our church began a jail ministry at the Meade County Detention Center in Brandenburg.  Folks were encouraged to accompany Brother Chris.  You didn’t have to be eloquent, you just have to be sincere and show loving kindness to the inmates.  Background checks are required.
 
The softball team ended the season with 8 wins, 3 losses and came in 3rd place in the
 church league tournament.  Members who were not necessarily athletic excelled at a big Family Fun Night which featured Bible Baseball, answering questions about scripture and moving around bases to score “runs” for their team.  As the Lord commands in Deuteronomy 11:18, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds.”
 
            In January of 2014, the youth attended the Skillet and Third day concert.  Other events that year included filling Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes for needy children throughout the world, county trash pick-up, a canvas painting class and “Blast Off” Vacation Bible school.
 
The youth group and their leaders attended a rock concert in Louisville on January 3, 2015.  The event is called Winter Jam and featured popular Christian artists. 
 
November 2, 2014, we had a Pastor Appreciation dinner that we called, “Roast the Rev.”  In good natured fun, different church members spoke about the leadership and brotherly love our pastor has shown us throughout his years here.  Because we had heard it so many times, several speakers quoted two of Chris’s favorite lines, “I know I say this every time, but this is my favorite scripture.” and “Open your Bibles to Romans”
We have been blessed to have church members step up throughout the years and preach the message during times the pastor was on vacation.  Carl Sturgeon, John Turpin. Chuck Nevitt and Nathan Whelan have recently delivered worship services becoming servant leaders in our congregation. 
 
June and July of 2015 was a busy time for our children and youth.  Students went “Down Under” during Vacation Bible School where Jesus was their Outback Rock.  One of the highlights of the year for our kiddos is church camp at Crossings at Cedarmore and once again this year, we sent a large group to learn and praise.  Generations of our members have gone to church camp as students and then returned years later to serve as counselors.  All those who have ever been in either duty agree that it is a huge blessing.
 
Long time church member, Bill Calebs, was honored at a reception celebrating his 100th birthday in October, 2015.  This faithful centenarian was involved in many things pertaining the Payneville Baptist Church including seeing generations of his family come to faith in the Lord. 
 
In December, music was a big part of our celebration of the birth of Jesus.  A big group of members traveled to South West Christian Church in Louisville to a Celtic Christmas concert featuring worship music, Irish dancers and bagpipes.  Later that month, our adult choir presented the Cantata, “Believe the Truth of Christmas.”  Our Lottie Moon offering of $3,750 was set and met. 
 
In February of 2016, Brother Chris and members Benjie Stull and Sam Raley traveled to Kenya on a mission trip.  Besides fulfilling the Great commission, the trip was to meant to help train and equip Kenyan pastors with sound Biblical doctrine which they could take back to their local churches.  In March, Moses Rialto, pastor of the Zion Baptist Church where the mission team worked in Kenya, was able to travel to the United States and preached the Sunday service.  The men also shared what a blessing it was to see how other cultures live and witness how God works through his people who will step out on faith. 
 
In 2016, weekly Wednesday evening activities involved our children’s group, called, “PB &J” (Payneville Baptist and Jesus), men’s meeting, choir practice and a spaghetti supper.  We were also allowing a group of people from Meade and Breckinridge Counties to use our facility for their workout group. 
 
At the September business meeting, Nathan Whelan told those present that the house next door to our church was going up for sale.  The owner mentioned it to Nathan because he thought the church might be interested in purchasing the house and land.  No action was taken at that time, but was definitely on the radar.
 
BIG GAP IN TIME!!!!!!
 
Payneville, Raymond and New Highland Baptist Churches have joined together for Easter services.  Easter sunrise service was held at Raymond Baptist Church in 2018 with a delicious breakfast served in their fellowship hall.  The location and pastor will rotate each year.  Back at Payneville at the 11:00 a.m service, the adult choir presented the Easter cantata.
 
We held our first “Way Ahead Weekend” event on Sunday, May 20, 2018.  There was a training session and breakfast before morning worship to pray about and begin planning ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
 
On August 19, 2018, Pam Sturgeon returned to play piano after a lengthy illness and recovery.  Her faith, determination and good attitude are a testament to God’s providence and a blessing to our church.  It seemed as thought the music sounded sweeter than ever with her back at the keys. 
 
The children and the youth who attended camp at Cedarcrest Church camp showed pictures and videos and gave reports on their time in Bagdad, Kentucky.
 
April 4, 2023
 
Still worshipping safely in the fellowship hall due to Covid 19.
 
Easter Sunday, 4-4-2021. We had sunrise service at 7:15 a.m. and then enjoyed pastries and fellowship while warming up. 
 
Morning worship at 10:30 featured the lighting of all the Advent candles by the Nevitt family and special music by Melanie Raley and Carl Sturgeon.  After worshipping the risen savior, The Lord’s Supper was observed. 
 
At the May 2, 2021 business meeting, Brother Chris discussed the plan for the Gospel to Every Home program that we are participating in with the Salem Association.  This includes distributing Gospel tracts, church addresses and invitations to join us.  All churches will meet at our fellowship hall to stuff the bags.  It’s a big undertaking to try to reach every single home in our area, but we’re going to do it with the help of the Lord.
 
This years high school graduates include Jayah Fuqua, Dalton Van Meter and Zoe Wilson.  Also discussed was turning the prayer room into a storage room for choir materials and miscellaneous items.  It was decided that we didn’t need a special room for prayer as we can and should pray all over the church.
 
June 6, 2021 brought us all back to our sanctuary to worship after the long months of having Zoom church and spreading out in the fellowship hall.  Never has a church pew felt like such a blessing!
 
At the July 25, 2021 worship service, the youth held their Camp Cedarmore

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