HomeMy WebLinkAboutThirtyYearsHistory020FROM TEMPORARY TO PERMANENT BUILDINGS
AND EQUIPMENT -1940-1950
It is interesting to note that the Browns closed their second decade
with their temporary and enlarged equipment entirely too small to
accomodate the enlarged and growing programs. They believed that the
time was type to change from temporary equipment to permanent. They
also believed taht the denomination was ready to come to the aid of the
church at College Station in providing a large and beautiful church
building.
This was also the time when World War If was beginning and some-
thing had to be done for the soldiers in the army camps in Texas.
Therefore, after much discussion by committees, pastors, denomina-
tional leaders and others, it was decided by the Texas Baptist General
Convention during their fall meeting in 1940 that something must be
done for the work among the soldiers in the army camps located in Texas
and at Texas A & M College. Because of limited funds, it was decided to
set aside $25,000 for the work among the service men and $25,000 for the
church building at Texas A & M College, and that a committee of 17
leading laymen and preachers be appointed to work out a campaign to
raise $50,000 for the work at both places. This committee met in Dallas
early in 1941 to make plans for this program. After the devotional and
some preliminary items were taken care of, Dr. Truett stated that we were
on the wrong track, that we had a double objective and that it would be
hard to present such a program to the churches, that the work at A & M
was no more an emergency than it had been for some time but the soldier
work was an emergency and that Brother Brown did not have the time to
raise money. He stated that hissuggestion was that the deno nination give
Brother Brown $50,000 and tell him to go home and build the church and
that the denomination put on a campaign to raise $50,000 for the
program for the service men. Someone made the motion which was passed
unanimously. The long awaited time had come to build the first unit of
the Baptist permanent program.
Much of the preliminary work in connection with the building had
already been anticipated anddone. Since Rev. Brown was chairman of the
local building committee, he knew what had to be done immediately.
First, the Sunday School rooms, offices and kitchen had to be torn away,
leaving the large auditorium or met. By getting the city to give permission
to place the temporary building against the curbs on two sides, it could be
moved onto the lot back of the parsonage and prepared for future use.
Space for the kitchen, offices and elementary departments were provided,
leaving room for a temporary auditorium that could be used by the
freshman Sunday School class, workship services, and for the social
program. No time was lost in clearing the lot on which the beautiful
auditorium now stands. Mr. Ralph Buffington of Houston was selected as
architect and the Brown Construction Co. of Houston was awarded the
contract to build the structure. Since Mr. A. D. Foreman, of the State
Committee, chairman and president of the Executive Board, together
with the architect and builder, all lived in Houston, the building moved
faster and easier.
Even though many of the Sunday School classes and BYPU's had to
use available space near the parsonage and the temporary buildings, the
teaching and Gaining program continued to grow as the records show.
The new church auditorium, though not nearly completed, was used
for a revival meeting during February 1942. Dr. George W. Truett
preached the first sermon in the building and conducted a week's service
in the evening. Dr. Tmett was the preacher for the first Religious
Emphasis Week at Texas A & M and preached each morning during the
week in Guion Hall for students and faculty. It is most significant to know
that the fust person baptized in the new baptistry was the man who had
supervised the construction of the church. Much had to be done to
complete the structure. Space at the rear of the auditorium on the lower
floor provided for a pastor's study, secretary's office, and three Sunday
School rooms. On the second floor a large department for the Inter-
mediate Department was provided. No money was provided for the
equipment. Again, the treasurer and chairman of the trustees, turned to
the pastor and asked if he could provide the funds. He did, and the
building was completed by July 1, 1942.
The following is the wording of the Dedication Service and the list of
the officers and leaders at that time:
TMc Fii st B��p0tist Church
(Comede s1mfi®®a Tammo
REV. R. L. BROWN, Pastor
HARVEY HATCHER, Education and Music
Dedication Services —July 12, 1942
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