OUR HISTORY

The Hardin Baptist Church began as the Hebron Baptist Church in the fall of 1907. That was the name given to the church by its original organizers. The building was constructed south of the home of Earl Hanchey. Henry Hanchey, B.F. Hanchey, and M.F. Tullos of the Lakeland Community were the leaders of this effort to bring the teachings of Christ and the Baptist faith to this area. The Rev. J.F. Dobbs as called to be the first pastor and he held services in the original building one Sunday of each month. C.C. Hanchey was elected as the clerk of the fledgling church. Members of that first congregation were: Mr. & Mrs. B.F. Hanchey, Mr. & Mrs Henry Hanchey, Mr. & Mrs. M.F. Tullos, C.C. Hanchey, Effie Tullos (later Mrs. C.C. Hanchey, Lena Hanchey (later Mrs. Press Vanya), and Viola Tullos Moore. These ten people are the charter members of our church.

Services were held in the original church building until December 10, 1910. At that time the church relocated to the Walter Community and held services in an old school building located across from the home of Ed Barrett. This was but a temporary relocation. On July 12, 1912 the church began holding services in the new building near the old post office on the Hull road. Apparently, the monthly service pattern continued, because church records indicate that it became a “half-time” church with services two Sundays each month in 1924. The first Training Union was organized by Mrs. Ruth Young in 1933.

Col. & Mrs. R. W. Humphreys of Liberty donated the land for the present church site. In 1940 a frame church building was constructed just North of the present church location. The first serviced in the new facilities were held on July 17, 1940. As the membership grew, it became necessary to add a two story educational building in 1946, and to affect extensive repairs and remodeling in 1955. Eventually, the needs of the church family required newer, more modern facilities. This led to the construction of the present brick church in 1964. The first service in the new building was conducted by the Rev. Sam Farris on January 1, 1965. This was also the first church service for Bro. Farris as the new pastor of the church. In the process, the old church building, which had served the membership as the “House of the Lord” for over 20 years, was dismantled and the parsonage moved to its old location.

The next construction program involved the building of the new brick parsonage at its present site. This was completed in April, 1978. This was closely followed by the construction of the new wing on the south side of the sanctuary, which was completed on February 1, 1982. The new wing provided office space for the pastor, church secretary, youth director, music minister, a choir room, classrooms, and related facilities. Feeling a need to insure space for future expansion, the church bought 3.1 acres of land southeast of the present location in 1986. This was closely followed by the construction of a north wing to the church, which was completed in February, 1990. This addition provided 14 new classrooms and related facilities. Meantime, remodeling and enlargement work was performed on the Fellowship Hall and Sunday School Office area. A covered entrance and storage room was added in 1996. In 1998, the fellowship hall was refurbished.

During the year 2001, the church stepped out boldly in faith and voted to construct a new Family Life Center behind the present sanctuary. This facility includes a gymnasium, kitchen, pantries, meeting rooms, storage rooms, and future classroom space upstairs. Through the generous donation of time, talent, and money, the church was able to construct a $600,000 Family Life Center for less than $300,000. The Texas Baptist Men, as part of their mission to build churches, spent two weeks on this project in October, 2001. The completed FLC was dedicated on March 24, 2002. The church has experienced a growth in attendance and new members since our new pastor, Rev. Tony Hines, came on the field in September 2001.

During the past year, through God’s outpouring of blessings, the church has completely paid off the FLC. The FLC note was paid off in early April 2003. The church also acquired the corner tract of land at Highway 834 and County Road 2003, allowing the church to own the entire property to Highway 834. We are excited about God’s plans for His church and His people.

A recitation of various stages of the construction and growth of the physical facilities for the church is but a superficial manner of relating the history of the survival and growth of old Hebron Baptist. The real story involves the faith, work and dedication of the many members who made it happen. Youngsters who grew up in the church, married there, had their children baptized there, and finally had their funeral services there, mark the endurance and progress of the church and the community. Certainly, He has kept His promise to be where people gather in His name to this church.