The building was of white frame construction, rectangular in shape, with entrance on Warder Street. The building was on ground level, styled with a gable front and back, with a bell spire over the front entry.
On October 1, 1918, Rev. J. W. McKinney began his work with this church. At that time the building was in bad repair, and plans were completed for a new church building. The congregation moved to a large tent at the corner of W. College and S. Holland Streets, and services were held there until a new church was completed. On June 25, 1921, the old building was wrecked, and on July 4, the land was cleared for the new building.
On October 21, 1921, Warder Street Baptist church had its first service in the new church building as it neared completion. The structure was 62 feet by 62 feet in size with a full basement and an exterior covered with stucco. The formal dedication came at Christmas, 1921.
It was under the ministry of Rev. McKinney that the congregation was organized as an affiliate of the Northern Baptist denomination and later changed to the American Baptist Convention.
During the McKinney years, membership grew to as high as 600 people.
On October 6, 1946, after 28 years of service to Warder Street Baptist Church, Rev. McKinney resigned after 56 years in the ministry. He was instrumental in starting four churches in this area: McKinney Chapel, Cambria Northern Baptist, Washington Avenue Baptist of Johnston City, and Warder Street Baptist Church.
For more than 30 years, McKinney was also an educator in the public schools. He held the position of county superintendent of schools for 12 years.
On January 29, 1947, Dr. Wesley P. Pearce became pastor and served more than seven years before leaving to become pastor at Harvard Park Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois.
Rev. Norris L. Hamlin became the church’s next resident pastor on November 21, 1954. During his ministry, the Rex Bivins property west of the church was purchased and an addition was constructed to make an educational building for Sunday School classes.
Rev. Hamlin resigned in August of 1962, and Rev. WilburH. Romick began his ministry on April 7,1963. During his ministry the church building proper was reinforced, a new roof laid on the main part of the church, the children’s department moved from the basement classrooms to the educational building, and the sound system improved. Rev. Romick resigned in May, 1966.
In September, 1966, the church voted to purchase the Rudolph Wolf property located south of the church. Rev. Jettie Vaughn served as interim minister from October, 1966, to February, 1968.
In June, 1968, the church purchased the Mayetta Groves property at 203 Westernaire Drive for a new parsonage. Rev. Charles R. Hogan became the church’s fifth full-time minister. During his ministry, the chancel area of the church was remodeled, the sanctuary redecorated as well as the educational building, and a new ceiling and lighting were installed in the lower sanctuary. Central air conditioning and new gas furnaces were installed in both the church and the educational building.
Rev. Hogan resigned in 1977, and Rev. El Goss served as interim pastor until Rev. James Whistler was welcomed as pastor in September of 1977.
During Rev. Whistler’s pastorate, Jim Holderfield was licensed to preach by the church and served as assistant pastor until he was ordained and became pastor of the Shilo Baptist Church in Cobden, Illinois.
Rev. Whistler resigned in August of 1985, and Dr. El Goss served as interim again until Rev. Phil McCalister was called as pastor in 1986.
During Rev. McCalister’s brief time as pastor, a new foyer and front entrance was completed, and new carpeting and pews were installed. Much of this remodeling was made possible by a bequest from Ray Hawkins who left $24,000 in his will, half of which was to go to Missions. Rev. McCalister resigned in 1987 and returned to Idaho to study law.
Rev. Bill Sanders was appointed Interim Pastor in July, 1987. The church black-topped the parking lot, and aluminum window covering was completed in 1988. Rev. Sanders resigned in July, 1989.
The church prospered for decades and became the church of choice for innumerable leading local citizen, but in later years, attendance had begun to wane and the decision was finally made to close the church with the last service being held on October 28th, 2018 with services conducted by Pastor Philip Dewayne Shumaker and about 30 in attendance. The oldest living member of the church is Rev. J.W. McKinney’s daughter, Ruth Blackburn, who is now 108 years old.
Arrangements were made by church trustees, Terry Ragain and Ferris Trovillion, to sell off the church property. Church records along with several critical pieces of the church will be donated to the Williamson County Historical Society for safe keeping and public display. The church also voted to donate $5,000 to the society which occurred on Wednesday, October 31st at the Williamson County Museum at 105 S. Van Buren Street with a presentation to the society’s board of directors.
(Extracted from 1989 Sesquicentennial History, WCHS, author unknown; Revised with the church closing 11/1/2018)