My wife, Lynda, and I have been married for 49-plus years. The first year we were married I marked the calendar, along with other important dates I wanted to remember. Some months later when she was looking at the calendar, she asked, “Why is September 10th marked on the calendar?” I replied, “It is our wedding anniversary.” Oh, how easily we sometimes forget!
Anniversaries, birthdays, memorials and other dates we may circle on the calendar are very important to us – so important that we don’t ever want to forget them. Shortly before those important days arrive, we plan and prepare for them that they may etch a precious memory on our heart and mind.
On Sunday, November 10, Oak Street Baptist Church will observe its Twenty-fifth Anniversary. Though it is the people, and not the steeple that makes a church the Church, we must recognize the fact that the church building is often a reference point for most people. The building in which the church now meets was constructed in 1917 as a private residence. While the family lived upstairs, the first floor quickly became used as a sanctuary for First Southern Baptist Church of Kingman.
In 1954 the congregation enlarged the facility by constructing the sanctuary and fellowship hall. The building was later purchased by the congregation of Hilltop Southern Baptist Church in the fall of 1994, and its name was changed to Oak Street Baptist Church to better identify with the surrounding community. The interior of the building has gone through several remodeling projects.
Reverend William Pardue was the church’s first pastor. He, and his wife Elaine, recently moved back to Kingman from North Carolina to retire. Reverend Ed Wyatt, who with Pastor Pardue both remain as members, was the interim pastor for over a year before my wife and I came to lead and serve the congregation in 2010.
The demographics of the community caused us to make a bold transition to an active adult ministry. It certainly is not that we do not wish to minister to people of all ages, but of the 56 churches in Kingman, we are the only (to my knowledge) that is truly ministering to the senior adults who prefer the traditional music and style of worship. Seniors also have special needs in certain areas of ministry.
Though the church has gone through many phases and changes, it remains a strong church, as it has regular members attending from Kingman, Golden Valley, Dolan Springs, and Lake Havasu City. To come each week from so far away is a testament to the warmth and love of the congregation.
Our anniversary celebration is open to all, and we invite you to join us for worship, as we remember ‘Then, and Now.’
- Pastor Jerry L. Dunn, Oak Street Baptist Church
