Church History

Chapman Memorial Baptist Church started it's life on February 13, 1949, as the Denver Road Mission, operating under the leadership and watch care of Woodlawn Baptist Church. The Mission was led by several dedicated lay men from Woodlawn, including Rev. W.L. Chapman.

 On Father's Day (June 19), 1949, with seven pastors present from the Mecklenburg Baptist Association, a meeting was held to vote on establishing the Denver Road Mission as Faith Baptist Church and moving it into the Southern Baptist Association.. The vote passed and Faith Baptist Church was officially launched with 22 charter members and with Rev. W.L. Chapman as the first pastor.

(Note: Double-click a photo to see expanded version, if cursor changes to a "hand" when rolled over the picture).

 The Mecklenburg Baptist Association bought and donated to the church the lot where the old sanctuary was located. During Rev. Chapman's first year of ministry the sanctuary and parsonage were built. In December, 1950, the Chapman family relocated from their home on Toddville Road to the new parsonage.

Rev. Chapman ministered at Faith Baptist until his death in January of 1954.

 Rev. C.W. Propst came to Faith Baptist on March 10, 1954 and ministered until July 29, 1956. In the summer of 1954 the church name was changed to Chapman Memorial Baptist Church as a memorial to Rev. Chapman.

 Rev. L.F. Helderman came to Chapman Memorial on August 5, 1956 and ministered until August 24, 1958. During his ministry the plans for the new educational building were prepared and approved.

 Rev W.F. ("Bill") Revis came to Chapman Memorial on August 31, 1958 and ministered until June 3, 1962. During his ministry the educational building was erected, with only the first floor being completed.

 Rev. R.B. Ostwalt served as Interim Pastor from June 3, 1962 until August 8, 1962.

 Rev. Troy M. Sherrin came to Chapman Memorial on August 8, 1962 and ministered until September 30, 1973. The second floor of the educational building was completed and furnished during 1965.

Rev & Mrs. Sherrin

 Also, during Rev. Sherrin's ministry, on December 7, 1969, the church held a 'note burning' ceremony. The notes on the educational building, the 4 lots bought in 1967, and the new Allen Organ, were burned and Chapman Memorial was debt free!

 On September 30, 1973, Pastor Sherrin retired from the full-time ministry.

 Rev. Eugene Entrekin was called to serve as Interim Pastor in October, 1973.

 Bro. Pete Millan served as Interim Pastor from October 1974 until December, 1974.

 On January 1, 1975, Rev. G. Glenn Flowe was called to full time pastor.

Rev. G. Glenn and Rene Flowe

 On June 22, 1975, thanks to the vigorous fund-raising efforts of Rev. Sherrin, and under the leadership of Rev. Flowe, a ground-breaking ceremony was held to dedicate the new sanctuary, which was completed in the spring of 1976.

Rev Glenn Flowe & Rev Troy Sherrin	Ralph Ferrell, Dillard Tench, Claude Russ, Joe Plummer	Mrs. W.L. Chapman

Rev. G. Glenn Flowe retired in December, 2003. He served the longest of any pastor previously called to Chapman Memorial.

Rev. Raleigh Castello was called as Interim Pastor on January 4, 2004, and ministered until July 27, 2004.

Rev Raleigh Castello

Rev. Allen Shuler was called as full time pastor on August 1, 2004.

Rev. Allen Shuler	Rev. Shuler's Family - Tammy, Sarah, Meredith and James

Reverend John Thomas was called as Pastor on March 2nd, 2008.

Rev. John Thomas	Rev. Thomas' family - Kim, Shayne, Jacob, Abbey.

That brings us to the present. We're starting anew now with Rev. John Thomas. We welcome him, his wife Kim, and his three children, Shayne, Jacob and Abbey to our church. May God richly bless them and all of us as we grow in His service.

By: Joe Abernathy 3/5/2008 (Notes from archives, Ruth Cooper, Betty Chapman Abernathy)