
Two churches combined to make the Community Church of
Sharon in 1994. The church closed in June.
Worshipers remember final days of Community Church of
Sharon
By Dorothy Reed
Special to The Premiere
The Community Church of Sharon closed in June of 2010. The
church was organized in May of 1994 when the First Baptist Church and the
First Christian Church joined into one fellowship.
The church's first minister Owen Clayton, a student
minister, filled the pulpit until the church called Mark Henderson with
his family to pastor the church. Other pastors and lay ministers included
Pat Myers and Leonne Worcester of Kiowa, Darrel Boyd and Todd Walters of
Medicine Lodge, and Judy Voyles of Wichita. Faithful members Nadine
Johnson, Edith Werner and the late Martha Hunter played the organ or the
piano to accompany the music. Greg Shinliver, Dwight Reed, Alvin Gardner,
the late Clyde Johnson, and Leslie Mathews served as deacons.
Sunday School proceeded the morning worship with special
music being an important part of the service. The congregation enjoyed
fellowship dinners and recognized graduating students. The church
supported mission projects. The Women's Ministries met to study and carry
out its purpose through Love Gifts and White Cross mission projects.
The First Baptist Church was organized in April of 1886.
In April 1986, the churches 100th anniversary, former members and pastors
came to reminiscence, give testimonies, and to fellowship. The church was
affiliated with the Ark Valley Association of the Central Region of
American Baptist. Thirty nine pastors ministered to the church, of these
five were ordained by the church.
In early years members were expelled because of bad
conduct, baptisms were done out of doors, tent meetings were a
soul-stirring experience and lasted as long as four weeks. Early-day
singing schools were accompanied by a pump organ.
The Christian Church was organized shortly after the Civil
War when a group of Missouri Christians settled in Barber County. They
named themselves the Sharon Christian Colony. In 1885 a church was built
in the new town of Sharon one mile north of the original colony.
Evangelist teams held revival meetings and the church grew.
In 1929 the first of many students from Phillips
University located in Enid, Oklahoma, served the church as its ministers.
As fire damage was being repaired to the church in 1935 it was discovered
that the building was on fire again. This time the church building burned
to the ground. Soon plans were drawn and the money secured to build a new
church. A local member was ordained to be a minister.
During the 1940's one to three week evangelistic meetings
were held. The membership supported missionaries affiliated with the
Disciples of Christ and independent missionaries. The Christian Women's
Fellowship was active. The Sharon Christian Church celebrated its 100th
anniversary in 1979.
The Community Church of Sharon has blessed this community
for more than sixteen years and the witness will be missed. The attendees
will worship in other congregations in the area and their faithful witness
will continue with other fellowships.