On July 8, 1973, a group of believers in Jesus Christ met in the house of J.C. McCarthy on Glynndale Circle. A total of sixteen people were present including Rev. Carlos Chapman, wife and children; Mrs. J.C. McCarthy; Patsy Kicklighter and son Matt, Joe and Sandra Crews and their three children, and Sandra's sister's children, Tony, Tarashea and Calvin Morgan. Rev. Carlos Chapman brought the message. Voices were lifted in praise to God in the old favorite hymns, "Amazing Grace" and "Just As I Am". True to tradition, an offering was taken to begin the funds for this new church. Ushers for the day were Matt Kicklighter and Joey Crews. Services were again held that evening. Weekly worship services continued in the McCarthy's home. The name, "Way Of The Cross Baptist Church" was decided on after being suggested by Sarah Chapman, the pastor's wife. The church purchased property from F. Braddick near the Brookman Community.
It was located off Highway 84 on Stafford Road. If weather permitted, services were held under oak trees located at the front of the property. A small tent was purchased where meetings could be held regularly. Attendance was steadily increasing and the church progressed into a large tent. The small tent was sold to People's Liberty Baptist Church located on Post Road. The larger tent was used for services until construction on the building currently being used as our social hall was completed. The larger tent was disposed of at this time. The church purchased a double wide manufactured home and placed it on the property as the parsonage for the pastor and his family. Attendance grew to approximately eighty during the five years Rev. Chapman was pastor.
Through a seemingly tragic event, God chose to bless the Way Of The Cross Baptist Church. A truck delivering concrete to Emmanuel Baptist Church, accidentally struck electrical power lines, causing a fire to erupt in the sanctuary. After the fire was put out, the church was declared a total loss. Emmanuel built a new building and the Way Of The Cross purchased the remains of the old building. The remains were stored in two large warehouses at the Turkey Farm in the Glyndale community. Through the hard work of the members of the Way Of The Cross, salvable parts were cleaned and refinished. In addition to a partial building, pews, chairs, offering table, and a piano were useable. At a later date, a single-wide mobile home that had been damaged by fire also was purchased. It was repaired and used for Sunday school rooms.
After five years, Rev. Chapman left and a new pastor was called.
The Rev. Homer Aspray filled the pulpit for approximately two years. After his resignation, the church was again receptive to Rev. Carlos Chapman.
With Rev. Carlos Chapman as the pastor for the second time, the church poured a concrete foundation and erected a building using the refurbished remains of the burned Emmanuel building. Rev. Chapman served as pastor until approximately June of 1981.
Attendance had gradually dropped and hit an all time low without a pastor. A few faithful members strived to continue, and in December of 1981, called a new pastor to start in January. The Rev. Harold McDonald Jr. took up the leadership and the church began a spiritual regrowth. On Easter Sunday, 1985, at sunrise, the first service was held in the existing sanctuary. Work continued on the building which included roof repairs, installation of the air conditioning, a sound system, water fountain, and erection of concrete block walls, and a roof to extend the front of the sanctuary.
Rev. McDonald led the Way Of The Cross in spiritual paths and the Lord continued blessing in both spiritual and material blessings. After two years with no salary for Rev. McDonald, the church finances gradually improved. In 1985, the church was financially able to support Rev. McDonald as a full-time pastor. With the efforts of very hard working members, and Bro. McDonald, improvements were made on the sanctuary. Exciting changes were taking place. In 1988 an organ was added to the musical instruments. In time for Easter Sunday, the back wall was removed, extending the worship area. Carpet was installed, the sound system rewired and the pews re-upholstered Work continued on the front entrance, restrooms and office. Along with those ever-faithful members, we continued growing with new faces from the surrounding community.
On May 25th, 1989 the double wide pastorium tragically was burned. Still praising God, Rev. McDonald, his precious wife and children escaped unharmed. The double wide, all furnishings, and personal properties were a total loss.
On July 14th, 1989, the builders permit for the new pastorium was purchased. The slab for the foundation was poured on October 17th, 1989. The frame of the house was built on September 27th, 1990, and was finished in November, 1990. Brother McDonald and his family moved into the beautiful new home on November 8th, 1990.
We are happy to say that, through the faithfulness of the members of The Way Of The Cross, and the promise of God being fulfilled, the pastorium is a debt free home. All building materials were paid for at the time they were purchased.
On March 26th, 1995, we had ground breaking for the new fellowship hall.
New lights were donated, and hooked up for the Way Of The Cross sign at the entrance on Stafford Road.
We began a revival on March 8th, 1998, with Brother Larry Richards. The Revival continued through October of 1999.
-In 1998, The Way of the Cross purchased a new sign.
- In 1998, we were able to start using the new fellowship hall for social gatherings
• In November of 1999, we purchased 150 chairs for the church.
• In January of 2000, a fax machine was donated to the church.
• In February of 2000, a brand new stove and 2 microwaves were donated to the fellowship hall. A bass guitar was purchased. We also were able to put new cabinets and new chairs in the fellowship hall.
• In February of 2001, we installed new ceiling fans in the sanctuary.
• In February of 2002, new tile was installed in the fellowship hall.
Rev. Harold McDonald Jr. left in September, 2005, and Rev. Joey Chancey became the pastor of the church in December, 2005.
• In December of 2005, the inside of the parsonage was painted. The Church nursery was redone by installing new sheetrock and painting.
Also, new furniture was purchased for the nursery and the carpet was cleaned.
• In January, 2006, hot water heaters were purchased and installed in the restrooms inside the church.
• In March, 2006, we had our 1st work day at the church. Limbs were trimmed and the yards cleaned. The sign at the end of Stafford Road was painted, and new bulbs were installed. Also, a cyclone fence was put up around the fellowship hall and the back of the parsonage.
• In May, 2006, a new roof was installed on the church. New ceiling tiles were put inside the church. The outside of the church was pressure washed and painted. New fixtures were installed in the restrooms in the church. New cables for the PA system were put in, with a new cordless microphone. • In June, 2006, Vinyl fence panels were installed. The handicapped ramp in front of the church was made wider. The front doors of the church were painted white. New carpet was installed on the porch of the church. The fellowship hall was pressure washed and painted. A new lighted church sign was installed in front of the church. A new piece of glass was put in over inside of backdoor. • In August, 2006, a new pump house was built. Also a new water softener system was installed
• In March, 2007, a new sound system was donated and installed.
A new roof was donated and installed on the parsonage. New sheetrock was installed throughout the church.
• In April, 2007, the inside of the church was painted. Trim was painted and installed throughout the church. New restroom vanitys were purchased and installed.
• In May, 2007, new ceiling tiles were installed. A new glass sound booth was donated and installed. New carpet and floor tile was installed in the church. New furniture was purchased for the office.
The pulpit tables and chairs were refurbished. New restroom partitions were donated and installed. A new chandelier was installed in the foyer. New mirrors were installed in the restrooms.
New air vents were donated and installed.
On May 13*, 2007, (Mother's Day), the first service in the newly remodeled sanctuary was held.
During 1978, one God fearing man was ordained as deacon, J.C. McCarthy. Brother McCarthy also served as the church's treasurer. November 3rd, 1985, two worthy servants of God were ordained as deacons:
Elmer McDowell
Harold McDonald, Sr.
November 15th, 1989, three God fearing men were ordained as deacons:
Edward Poppell
George Sills
Esker Ryle
In 1993, four worthy servants of God were ordained as deacons:
Mike Murray
Kevin Manders
Kevin Higgins
Craig Martin
In 1997, Brother Warnie Nettles was ordained to preach the word.
In 1999, Brother Brent Gardner was ordained to preach the word.
In 1999, Brother Richard Roberts was ordained to preach the word.
In 1999, Brother John Youmans was ordained to preach the word.
In 2005, Brother Ray Amos was ordained to preach the word.
PASTORS:
• Rev. Carlos Chapman 5 yrs 1973-1978
• Rev. Homer Aspray 2 yrs. 1978-1980
• Rev. Carlos Chapman 1 1/2 yrs. 1980-1981
• Rev. Harold McDonald, Jr. 24yrs 1981-2005
• Rev. Joey Chancey 10 yrs. 2005-2015
-Bro. Philip Kidd 2 yrs. 2016-2018
-Bro. Luke Harrison 5 yrs. 2019-Present
We are a church that is debt free. We give the Lord Jesus Christ all the praise for supplying all our needs. We also thank our Lord Jesus for his spirit, the blessings He has poured out on us, and all the healings and deliverances He has blessed us with.
This old song has surely influenced the naming of our church and quite adequately says it all.
"The Way Of The Cross Leads Home"
I must needs go home by the way of the cross.
There's no other way but this.
I shall never get sight of the gates of light, if the way of the cross I miss.
The way of the cross leads home.
The way of the cross leads home.
It is sweet to know as I on-ward go, the way of the cross leads home. I must needs go in the blood-sprinkled way.
The path that the Saviour trod, if I ever climb to the height sublime, where the soul is at home with God.
The way of the cross leads home.
The way of the cross leads home.
It is sweet to know as I on-ward go, the way of the cross leads home.
May the Way Of The Cross Baptist Church ever be leading souls to Christ and that heavenly home he is preparing with God the Father.
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