East Highway Baptist Church celebrating 70th anniversary – Temple Daily Telegram

The congregation of East Highway Baptist Church will celebrate its 70th anniversary during Sunday morning service. Flanked by cotton fields, the church building sits east of Temple on State Highway 53, just across the road from its first location.

Originally the Czech Baptist Church, the first building was constructed around 1936 by the churchs first pastor, Joseph F. Rundus, who came to Texas from Blue Rapids, Kan. Services were done held Czech until the mid-1940s, when the church changed to English.

It was a very small church. Just an auditorium and two small classrooms, said the Rev. Ernest Thompson.

Thompson, a former pastor for East Highway Baptist, now serves as pastor emeritus. He said he has seen a lot of change during his time with the church, including the construction of a new building after the congregation outgrew its original structure.

We built on it all the way around as far as we could, Thompson said. And 64 filled it back then. I mean, I had them sitting in the aisle, had them sitting everywhere.

In 1990, the old building was moved from its foundation to land across the street that had been donated to the church.

Thompson retired as the full-time pastor in November after 49 years of ministry. He said he would have gone to 50 years, but his health wouldnt allow it. He still serves the church whenever he can.

We still have three services a week out there, he said. A lot of them dont have that, you know? Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. And then we have our fellowships and everything.

Thompson said the East Highway congregation is one of the friendliest groups hes dealt with.

When new people come through the door, they make them feel at home, he said. I trained them years ago, and I told them When someone comes through these doors, you be sure theyre made welcome at home.

He said the church members love everyone and are committed to serving the Lord.

Thompson said some smaller churches are shutting their doors, but he doesnt want to see that happen to his church.

We dont want to do that, he said. Its like I tell them, Its not the name of the church. Its what where there to do: worship and praise the Lord.

Thompson said the church is in good hands with its new pastor, the Rev. Duane McCoy.

McCoy said the 70th anniversary celebration will begin with Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. He said there will be presentations on the history of the Czech Baptist Church and history up through the building of the new church.

Three groups will sing, including students from the childrens ministry. McCoy said Thompson will deliver a sermon, and Dr. Tom Henderson, Bell Baptist Association director of missions, will bring a closing message and charge for the future.

A congregational luncheon will follow the service.

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East Highway Baptist Church celebrating 70th anniversary - Temple Daily Telegram