In 1887, with Rev T.F. Medlin as the
founder and pastor, a small group of believers formed a church, which they
called Fairview Baptist Church. Their meeting place was the schoolhouse.
Judge Huling served as the first Sunday School Director. There were
twenty-four charter members. The town of Martha was officially named after
Rev. Medlin's daughter. The churches name was then changed to the First
Baptist Church of Martha.
In 1905, the congregation built a
frame building in which to meet. This building was located on School
Street in Martha and today this location is the home of the Martha
Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1925, with great sacrifice, the
congregation came together to finance the building of a brick sanctuary on
Main Street in Martha. Farmers mortgaged their farms and had great
difficulty in meeting loan payments. Thankfully, there were no
foreclosures and the loan was paid in full. The Lord showed Himself
Faithful.
In 1986, the church
body voted to start a fund for the construction of a building. A change
of building site was later agreed upon and, in order to signify
location, the name was changed to Martha Road Baptist Church. "BY GOD'S
HAND AND IN HIS TIME" became our motto as we waited upon Him and
proceeded to build as He provided funds. Groundbreaking was done on
October 15, 1995, and actual construction began the first week in
November, 1995. Because problems and setbacks were many, overall
progress was slow, but God was more then faithful, more than gracious
and more than generous. A day of dedication and celebration marked by
praise and the first "structured" worship service in the new building
was held on Sunday, October 29, 2000. To God be the glory: great things
He hath done!
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Message from our Pastor