Walker Road Baptist Church

June 24, 1954-June 28, 2009

55 Years of Ministry

 

                Walker Road Baptist Church was initially established and organized to reach people in the community who did not attend church.  In 1953, Harold "Doc" Allison moved to Walker Road in Morganton with his daughter in order for her to receive deaf services.  There were several people in the Walker Road community who did not attend church, so Mr. Allison built benches in his home and began to conduct Sunday School.  As more and more people came to Sunday School, he began preaching even though he wasn't an ordained pastor.  When the Catawba River Baptist Association heard about the Bible studies, they met with Mr. Allison and donated a tent for the people to have a place to meet.  The church was officially established on June 27, 1954 with approximately 41 members.  On July 25 of that same year, the church was named Walker Road Missionary Baptist Church.  The tent was later destroyed by a storm, so a Mr. Lister allowed the people to meet in his basement.  On January 9, 1955, the membership voted to construct a building.  Someone donated cement blocks and the first building was built.  It was later bricked on the outside, and it stands today as the Youth Ministry Building.  Due to the growth of the church, a larger sanctuary was built and the first worship service was held in it on August 16, 1964.  This section is now used as our Sunday School Department.  The parsonage was added in 1971.  As the church continued to grow over the years, a third sanctuary was added with a fellowship hall.  Construction on the present sanctuary began on October 8, 1990, and was completed on June 30, 1991.  We look back with appreciation to those who have gone before us, and we look ahead with anticipation for what God has in store for us.

Pastors

Rev. W.T. Brackett: June 1954-August 1955

Rev. Fred Travis: August 1955-August 1957

Rev. Robert Early: September 1957-September 1958

Rev. Garland Early: September 1958-September 1962

Rev. James Calvin: October 1962-February 1975

Rev. T.A. Lineberger, Interim

Rev. Robert White: August 1975-September 11, 1977

Rev. T.A. Lineberger, Interim

Rev. Glen Ramsey: January 1, 1978-June 8, 1980

Rev. Paul Lovingood, Interim

Rev. Frank Ellis: August 1981-June 1986

Rev. Ivey Smith, Interim

Rev. Rocky Branch: February 8, 1987-July 24, 1996

Rev. B.G. McMahan, Interim

Rev. Mike Hatton: February 9, 1997-April 9, 2006

Rev. Burl Sain, Interim

Rev. Brandon Ware: June 24, 2007-Present