ROLL CALL OF PASTORS
LEE LAWLER Acting pastor at time of origin 1939
R. L. WALKER August, 1939 thru May, 1940
JAMES H. BROWN January 1, 1941thru February, 1942
E. H. ZIPPRODT March, 1942 thru July, 1943
ROBEERT FARRIS June., 1944 thru July, 1946
TED C. KEITH October, 1946 thru October, 1947
MAURICE EUGENE NORRIS March, 1948 thru July, 1950
THOMAS COOK October, 1950 thru September, 1951
E. LOMELINO – Interim December, 1951 thru March, 1952
ROBERT J. FARRIS September, 1953 thru June, 1957
GEORGE DAVIS August, 1957 thru January, 1965
GENE WELLS -Interim January, 1965 thru March, 1965
JERRY FORD April, 1965 thru January, 1967
BILL DICKMANN – Interim May, 1967 thru June, 1967
LOWELL HOCK July, 1967 thru December, 1968
R. L. NORRIS May, 1969 thru November, 1970
PHIL DE LORME May, 1971 thru June, 1972
RONALD SHIPLEY March, 1973 thru March, 1975
DALE ROWLEY – Interim April, 1975 thru July, 1975
JOEL STURTEVANT August, 1975 thru October, 1980
RIDGE CULLUM September, 1981 thru October, 1984
GARY DOLLAR – Interim November, 1984 thru January, 1985
STEVE DONNELLY March, 1985 thru September, 2002
BOB ATCHISON – Interim October, 2002 thru May, 2003
LOWELL DONNELLEY August, 2003 thru Present Date
THE BEGINNINGS
On May 30, 1939, a group of Baptists which had been meeting in a dwelling house were called to meet following the Sunday School hour in the Legion Hall where they transacted business for the organizing of a Baptist church. At this time a committee announced its progress. On June 11, 1939, the mission congregation of Baptists met at the Altamont High School gym for prayer, songs, and Bible study. Then at 11 am, Ira J. Smith delivered an inspiring morning message. The congregation gathered at the city park following the morning service for a sumptuous basket dinner. At 2 pm, the proceedings commenced again in the gymnasium with A.E. Kretzer as moderator pro tem. The assembly adopted the New Hampshire articles of faith and church covenant and formed the First Baptist Church of Altamont. The leaders chosen at this meeting were Rev. Lee Lawler as moderator and Bro. Mark Camp as church clerk. Through the afternoon individuals presented themselves for church membership. The final count on that first day was 52 members received by letter and 2 candidates awaiting baptism. In those early days the church was zealous for souls. A Sunday evening WMU presentation in December of 1939 concluded with seven making professions of faith and eight others joining the church. At the end of a 13-day brush arbor revival meeting in the fall of 1939 the membership stood at 101. It was noted that the church members were from nine different states with most coming from Oklahoma.
The early meetings of the church were in the American Legion Hall costing $2.00 per week rent. In the year of 1944 the Leitzell building was used for a rent of $300.00 per year. In March of 1941, 5% of the income was designated to missions. In March of 1946 the Old Assembly of God Church was purchased. In 1951 the first addition was built to the back of the auditorium. The parsonage was started in 1952, completed in 1953 and redecorated in 1954. The church auditorium was remodeled and new church furniture added in 1955. The year of 1957 saw the annex property purchased and in 1962 the parsonage was remodeled including finishing the upstairs. In 1965 the final addition was begun for the Educational Building wing. In 1975 a baptistery and two dressing rooms were built at back of the auditorium. In 1978 remodeling work was done on the auditorium with new lighting being installed. In 1981 new carpet and kitchen cabinets were added to the parsonage. In 1988 a bus ministry began in the fall and the church began using the parsonage as Sunday School rooms.
ALTAMONT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH TODAY
On October 20, 1995 approximately 30 acres on Route 128 near Interstate 70 were purchased from the Marathon Oil Company. On Sunday, April 11, 1999 the First Baptist Church of Altamont broke ground on that property for a new church building with Rev. Steve Donnelly turning the first shovel of dirt. On March 4, 2001 the congregation of First Baptist Church of Altamont moved into their new facility at 102 First Baptist Drive. The new church building has approximately 17,000 square feet of space under roof. A striking feature of the new church building is its large multipurpose room that serves the triple role of housing worship, fellowship and recreation space. In addition to the multipurpose room there is a suite of offices and an education wing consisting of approximately 4400 square feet. Below the education wing is a walkout basement. On July 16, 2003 the church called Dr. Lowell L. Donnelley to be pastor. Dr. Donnelley, his wife Dr. Mirta Donnelley and their children, Lucas and Megan, moved from Hawaii to Altamont and began their pastorate on August 21, 2003. Saturday evening, October 9, 2004, Dedication Services for the new church building were begun with a Hog Roast and Open House and a concert by “The Shepardsmen Quartet”. The Dedication Service was held Sunday, October 10, 2004 with former pastor and now Louisville Associational Director George Davis as morning worship speaker and Dr. Lowell Donnelley leading in a responsive dedication service. This began a four day revival service with Dan Rush of Vandalia as speaker and Joe Noble of Greenville as music leader. Former pastors attending the dedication were: Dr. George Davis & wife Leona, Rev. R.L. Norris and son Ron, and Rev. Bob Atchison. Dr. Phil DeLorme and wife Barbara were present the previous Sunday, and well wishes were received from Bro. Jerry Ford.