Denton Baptist Church Marlow Oklahoma

DENTON BAPTIST CHURCH

Celebrates 90 Years

Of Service For The Lord

1919 ~ 2009

Rev. A.F. Whitlock (June 30, 1919-1922) was called as the first pastor of this small congregation of 49 people, which started meeting in the Denton school house. J.B. Robinett conducted the organizational meeting.

Rev. Roy Autry, a charter member of the church, followed Rev. Whitlock. The members voted to build a church building and Roy McGehee donated an acre of land. Rev. Autry preached the first sermon in the completed 1,440 sq. ft. building on Feb. 22, 1925. Rev. Autry returned as interim pastor on Oct 1, 1968 and served until Dec. 18, 1977, preceding Rev. Jerry Couch. Rev. Autry’s led to a remodeling project, which was completed in 1969. The church moved into the “modern” era by adding a kitchen and restrooms in 1977.

Rev. R.L. Miers (1935-1937)

Rev. Guy Swanson (1942-1943). He decided the church needed a bell, and ordered one out of a catalog for around $25. The bell is still prominently displayed in front of the church today.

Rev. Wayne Pearson was ordained and served Denton Baptist in 1944.

Rev. Arbuary Ritter was ordained at the church and served during the mid 1950s.

Rev. Mike Norfleet was ordained at the church and became pastor in 1962. He led the church in building an annex that served as an education building and fellowship hall.

On Dec. 18, 1977, the church called Rev. Jerry Couch as its pastor. Bro. Couch served until 1981, and returned as pastor in 1990. Under Bro. Couch’s second term of service the old church was demolished, which began June 26, 1993, and the new church was completed and the dedication service was held on Jan. 23, 1994. Couch served until June 30, 2003.

Rev. Joe Price became part of the church’s history on May 3, 1981, after he was ordained there. During his 9 year tenure the church added a baptistery area to the north end of the auditorium. The church also built a 48-ft. building to serve as the education building and the annex was bricked to match the new building. Bro. Price left in August 1989, but returned on March 16, 2003, and is the current pastor for the church.

Thirty-Five pastors have led this church and 7 men have been ordained for ministry at this location.

A lot of lives have been touched by the ministry of this church. God has sustained us through good times and bad, and the church still has a purpose and a need today. May Almighty God continue to bless this church with all spiritual blessings as we continue to reach lost souls, minister to the community’s needs.

The church is located just west of the intersection of Ninth Street and Ballpark Road, 9 miles west and 5 miles north of the Lawton/Duncan Y.

1919 Whitlock, A.F

1920 McLaughlin, B.F.

1922 Autry, Roy (Ordained – 1922)

1926 Prestiage,

1927 Henson, C.W.

1929 Ford, R.E.L.

1930 Reed, D.F.

1932 Baker, Alvin

1933 Lowe, W.I.

1935 Miers, R.L.

1937 Fowler, Carl

1939 Smedley

1941 Walker, S.S.

1942 Swanson, Guy (Ordained – 1942)

1942 Pearson, Wayne (Ordained – 1944)

1945 Sherrill, S.T.

1947 Curb, Dan (4 months – Deceased)

1947 Broughten, Thomas

1948 Parks, Joe Carter

1949 Head, J.S.

1950 Billington, Monroe

1951 Russell, Lester (Ordained – 1951)

1952 Olin, Harold

1955 Ritter, Arbuary (Ordained – 1955)

1957 Matney, Homer (Ordained – 1957)

1959 Moore, Houston

1961 Eakins, Danny (6 Mar 61 – 12 Oct 61) (4 months)

1961 Thornhill, Jerry

1962 Norfleet, Mike (Ordained – 1962)

1966 Zimmerman, Charles (Ordained – 1967)

1968 Autry, Roy

1978 Couch, Jerry

1981 Price, Joe (Ordained Nov 1981)

1990 Couch, Jerry

2003-Present Price, Joe

Brother Mike Norfleet became pastor in 1962. Durring his tenure,

he led the church to build the education building and fellowship hall.

(This is the portion of the building you see on the right side of the picture.

In 1981 Brother Joe Price assumed Pastoral duties at Denton Baptist Church. Durring his 9 years a 40 by 48 foot educational wing was erected and both the educational wing and the fellowship hall were bricked.

(Ground breaking ceramony at right)