Weakley County Baptist Association
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
A Family of Churches

Eastside Baptist Church

 

 

Eastside Baptist Church
529 K St.
Martin, TN  38237

 Pastor: 

Eastside Baptist church was organized as a New Testament Southern Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 30, 1971 with 62 members.  The church’s original name was “Maranatha.” At the time of the organization the church met in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity House on University Street in Martin.

A motion was made by Ray Stover that we organize a New Testament Church as of June 30, 1971.  This was to be and is a Southern Baptist church and affiliates itself with the Southern Baptist convention as the body of this church sees the need to do so.

Bro. Ed Dawson presented the church covenant.  After being read a motion was made and carried that the church covenant be  presented  as our Declaration of Faith.

The moderator called for suggestions for names for the church.  Several were mentioned, among them Maranatha. (coming from I Corinthians 16:22 and meaning, “The Lord Comes.”)

On July 4, 1971 services were again held in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity house.  Sunday School attendance was 58.  Two evangelists, Bro. Bill Hazelwood and Bro. Boyd Roberts were in attendance at this meeting.  On July 6, 1971 the name Maranatha was chosen for the church.

On July 11, 1971 the church voted to purchase a three-acre plot of land located on K Street across from Eastside Cemetery with the intention that a church building and a pastor’s home be built on this land.  At this meeting the church voted to extend a call to Bro. Gary Hardin to serve as pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church.

Beginning July 29 until the building was ready to use, the church met in the Union Hall on Broadway Street in Martin.  The ground-breaking ceremony for the building site for Maranatha Baptist Church was 3:30 P.M. Sunday afternoon, August 8, 1971.  Bro. Gary Hardin was present as pastor for the first time on ground-breaking day. 

The church moved into the new building in November 1971, using the fellowship hall for worship services until the auditorium was completed.  The first services in the new sanctuary of Maranatha Baptist Church were held Sunday, December 12, 1971.  Speaking for the special services were Rev. W. R. Cordle and Rev. Jerry Wood.  Bro. Cordle’s text was taken from Joshua 14:11 and entitled, “Now, Therefore, Give Me This Mountain.”

On September 24, 1980 the church voted to change the name form Maranatha Baptist Church to Eastside Baptist Church.

 

 


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