Refuge General Baptist Church History

In September 1890 a church was started in a community known at the time as “Possum Trot”.  The Church was named Refuge, which means “A place providing protection or shelter. A source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble.”

The church building had a dirt floor but was destroy by fire.  The church met in a brush arbor for nearly a year before the next building was built.

April 4, 1965 A motion and second was made to tear down the old building and build a new 30 x 60 block building and to borrow $5000.00.  12 members were present for the vote.

April 6, 1966 Brother Clarence Cornish was elected Pastor with a salary of $60/week

August 1966 two window air conditioners were bought.

October 1967 the $5000.00 note was paid off

July 1968 Church decided to hold annual Homecoming on the last Sunday of September.

August 1971 a light was put into the women’s restroom or “outhouse”.

December 1971 Brother Cornish was sent to the Philippines for a revival.

July 1972 Fellowship Hall and Classrooms were added to the Church.

April 1975 The restrooms were added on the south end of building, on the inside.

February 1982 The Auditorium was expanded to 50’ wide.

March 1984 Covered entrance was added. But before the paint had a chance to dry…

April 3, 1984 the church building was destroyed by a tornado.

September 1984 new church was built and completed.  First service in new church was September 9, 1984.  We enter the building debt free.

October 1986 Parsonage was built and completed.

August 1990 Brother Larry Ward became Pastor and the parsonage was paid off.

November 1991 closed in the carport of Parsonage and added bedroom and bathroom.

In 1992 the first youth drama begin with 14 youth.  Our first trip was to the Bethesda GB church in Arnold, Mo.

September 1995 a 60’ x 70’ Multi-purpose building started.

July 1997 the multi-purpose building was completed and we were still debt free.

In 1998 Children’s Church began and our Youth drama continued to grow.  Our trip in 1998 took us to Texas in which we chartered 2 buses & had 104 people make the trip.  Our youth participation in the drama had grown to 40 to 50 with ages ranging from 18 years old to toddlers.  Each year we have managed to raise enough money to pay every child’s way on our trip.

January 1999 Brother Jamey Carter became Youth Pastor. Also in 1999 we paved our parking area and still debt free.

In 2001 we purchase a 25-passenger mini-bus.  A $47,000 purchase but once again we did it and were debt free.

In 2002 we began Junior Church.  A bus ministry began picking up children.  Before long the Junior Church room was filled to capacity.

In 2003 we added on to our Fellowship center another 40’x 60’ section.  This new addition will provide a bigger Junior church & Youth church facilities, storage rooms & classrooms.  Once again we will be debt free.  To God be the Glory!

Many souls have come to the Lord at this place. 

Refuge-A place of Shelter- This is our purpose for the glory of God. 

May the Lord continue to Bless & Be Glorified.