How it all started...
WEST GATE BAPTIST CHURCH
1961 -- THE FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST IN TRENTON
(Note: This history was compiled primarily by Mrs. Lavon Manasco with assistance from Mrs. Sue Gubbins (Bean) and Mrs. Bernice Cryder, updated by Suzanne Iberg.)
The first Southern Baptist work in Trenton, Illinois, began when a group of thirteen dedicated Christians decided to meet in the home of Kenneth L. Tyson on December 17, 1961. This launched the beginning of a Southern Baptist Church in this community. . .
The beginning is recalled by Mrs. Myrtle Tyson:
Mrs., Tyson further recalled:
1962--SOUTHERN BAPTIST WORK GROWS IN THE COMMUNITY – THE FIRST SERVICES HELD IN THE NEW CHAPEL – THE MISSION RENAMED
“WEST GATE CHAPEL”.
On June 27, 1962, Reverend Dale Cook was called as pastor. He delivered his first sermon in July. The first mention of property purchased is recorded in the December 6, 1962, minutes as “property purchased in October, 1962". No other mention of property is noted. From the indications of past records, plans for the chapel were made as early as July, 1962.
Mrs. Tyson remembers:
"Finally the ground was broken for the original brick structure. It was a good feeling to see a Southern Baptist Church in town, but is was scary to take such a step."
Construction of the new facility began in September, 1962. Brother Dale Cook took the mission through this time of constructing the original brick building. The building was similar to the Baptist Church of Dowell, Illinois. Brother Cook did much of the work and displayed helpful leadership during the construction. Love offerings were given to the, pastor for his work on the building. On November 25, 1962 worship services were held for the first time in the unfinished chapel. Upon completion of this building, on December 19, the mission was named
"WEST GATE BAPTIST CHAPEL”. Later that month,
on December 30, the first baptisms took place.
Those baptized were, Joe, Jim, and Terry Cryder.
Reverend Shaw Dement was called to pastor West Gate from August of 1963 to March of 1965. Under his guidance, the hard work of the men and women of the church, and with a little help from our friends in the community, the parsonage was built.
Brother Kenneth Wigger was pastor from September 1965 to February 1966.
Reverend Ronald Shrum answered the call to pastor the people of West Gate from March 1966 to December of 1968.
THE WEST GATE MISSION BECAME A
CONSTITUTED CHURCH ON OCTOBER 6, 1968.
Reverend Richard Dillender pastored from March 1969 – December 1970, followed by Reverend Robert Hoffman who served from February 1971 – July 1972, and was also employed by the Wesclin School District to supplement his income.
Reverend Lee Mauer pastored from August 1972 – August 1973.
On April 16, 1975, under the pastorate of Reverend Delbert “Dusty” Gwaltney, the church voted to expand, adding an educational building to the east. Here again, much of the construction work was done by the Pastor including electrical, plumbing, and heating system installation. During this time, the church grew and a period of spiritual victory and physical expansion continued bringing the church to record attendance and the construction of a new auditorium. Bro. Gwaltney served from August 1973 – October 1977.
Pastor John Lorch pastored West Gate from March 1978 – July 1983. During the period of 1978 to 1980, the enrollment in Bible study went from 152 to 325 with 60 persons being baptized. In preparation to build the new auditorium, God led many people to give “sacrificially” under the leadership of Pastor John Lorch and Music and Youth Director, Larry Rhodes.
Rev. Harmon Mills served as interim pastor from uly 1983 – November 1983.
Reverend Edsel Bone came to West Gate in December 1983 and ministered until April 1985. One of Br. Bone’s concerns was the number of unfinished areas in the new worship building. One particular room was the “intercessory prayer” room.
Reverend Eddie Miller ministered at West Gate from July 1985 until March 1992. Much finishing of the new auditorium was completed during his ministry, and once again, the pastor provided much of the labor.
Rev. Tom Rankin, Jr. served as interim pastor from June 1992 – October 1992.
Reverend Mike May was our pastor until June 2012. He was called in October of 1992, currently holding the longest pastorate in West Gate’s history. During his pastorate, there were several building improvements, including the moving of the church offices.
Reverend Paul Hooks is our current pastor. He was called to serve West Gate in August of 2012. He continues to deliver God's Word to the people of West Gate Baptist Church.
Reverend David Clay served as our Pastor of Youth from September 2015 through January 2, 2019. West Gate had the honor of ordaining him as Reverend on March 9, 2018.
Reverend Joshua Denham is our current Pastor of Youth and Music. He was called to serve our youth in and around our community in January 2019. He also leads our worship each Sunday morning.On August 26, 2001 a Purpose for West Gate was adopted:
To “Make Jesus L. O. R. D” (“L”ove God – Worship Him; “O”bey God – put faith into practice; “R”each the lost for Christ; “D”isciple Believers)! On September 25, 2002 an EVANGELISM COALITION was formed, with a purpose of actively seeking out and reaching Trenton, Summerfield, and surrounding towns for Christ.
In January 2018, we adopted our mission statement:
"To Equip, Empower, Encourage, and Evangelize all people, for the Glory of God, to become fully devoted followers of Christ."
God has established West Gate for ministry in this city and surrounding cities. He is still at work reaching the lost, carrying forth the Gospel, ministering to the needy, and keeping the fellowship fires warm until His Son, Jesus, returns.
1961 -- THE FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST IN TRENTON
(Note: This history was compiled primarily by Mrs. Lavon Manasco with assistance from Mrs. Sue Gubbins (Bean) and Mrs. Bernice Cryder, updated by Suzanne Iberg.)
The first Southern Baptist work in Trenton, Illinois, began when a group of thirteen dedicated Christians decided to meet in the home of Kenneth L. Tyson on December 17, 1961. This launched the beginning of a Southern Baptist Church in this community. . .
The beginning is recalled by Mrs. Myrtle Tyson:
- "In 1961, a pastor from southern Arkansas, who was formerly the pastor of my parents' church, moved to St. Louis, Missouri. My parents asked him to visit Kenny and myself here in Trenton.”
- "We were attending. the First Baptist Church at the time, because there wasn't any other Baptist churches in the community. There were three other Southern Baptist families who attended also.”
- “When my parents’ former pastor came to visit us, he expressed a wish for a Southern Baptist church here. He told us he knew the missionary for the area.”
- "He contacted the Missionary and asked him to speak with us. The missionary came to us with a suggestion to start a Southern Baptist Church and requested that wenbsp; speak with other people who would be interested in starting one.”
Mrs., Tyson further recalled:
- "Unity Roselawn Church agreed to help the mission and four families began to meet in our basement. They were the T. L. Tysons, H. U. Waggnors, Leroy Lyerlas, and Archie Gordons.”
- “During this time, the Southern Baptist Convention was promoting church growth and West Gate was one of 30.000 churches started during a 10 year period.”
- “From our basement, the mission moved to the factory. A piano was added to the worship."
1962--SOUTHERN BAPTIST WORK GROWS IN THE COMMUNITY – THE FIRST SERVICES HELD IN THE NEW CHAPEL – THE MISSION RENAMED
“WEST GATE CHAPEL”.
On June 27, 1962, Reverend Dale Cook was called as pastor. He delivered his first sermon in July. The first mention of property purchased is recorded in the December 6, 1962, minutes as “property purchased in October, 1962". No other mention of property is noted. From the indications of past records, plans for the chapel were made as early as July, 1962.
Mrs. Tyson remembers:
"Finally the ground was broken for the original brick structure. It was a good feeling to see a Southern Baptist Church in town, but is was scary to take such a step."
Construction of the new facility began in September, 1962. Brother Dale Cook took the mission through this time of constructing the original brick building. The building was similar to the Baptist Church of Dowell, Illinois. Brother Cook did much of the work and displayed helpful leadership during the construction. Love offerings were given to the, pastor for his work on the building. On November 25, 1962 worship services were held for the first time in the unfinished chapel. Upon completion of this building, on December 19, the mission was named
"WEST GATE BAPTIST CHAPEL”. Later that month,
on December 30, the first baptisms took place.
Those baptized were, Joe, Jim, and Terry Cryder.
Reverend Shaw Dement was called to pastor West Gate from August of 1963 to March of 1965. Under his guidance, the hard work of the men and women of the church, and with a little help from our friends in the community, the parsonage was built.
Brother Kenneth Wigger was pastor from September 1965 to February 1966.
Reverend Ronald Shrum answered the call to pastor the people of West Gate from March 1966 to December of 1968.
THE WEST GATE MISSION BECAME A
CONSTITUTED CHURCH ON OCTOBER 6, 1968.
Reverend Richard Dillender pastored from March 1969 – December 1970, followed by Reverend Robert Hoffman who served from February 1971 – July 1972, and was also employed by the Wesclin School District to supplement his income.
Reverend Lee Mauer pastored from August 1972 – August 1973.
On April 16, 1975, under the pastorate of Reverend Delbert “Dusty” Gwaltney, the church voted to expand, adding an educational building to the east. Here again, much of the construction work was done by the Pastor including electrical, plumbing, and heating system installation. During this time, the church grew and a period of spiritual victory and physical expansion continued bringing the church to record attendance and the construction of a new auditorium. Bro. Gwaltney served from August 1973 – October 1977.
Pastor John Lorch pastored West Gate from March 1978 – July 1983. During the period of 1978 to 1980, the enrollment in Bible study went from 152 to 325 with 60 persons being baptized. In preparation to build the new auditorium, God led many people to give “sacrificially” under the leadership of Pastor John Lorch and Music and Youth Director, Larry Rhodes.
Rev. Harmon Mills served as interim pastor from uly 1983 – November 1983.
Reverend Edsel Bone came to West Gate in December 1983 and ministered until April 1985. One of Br. Bone’s concerns was the number of unfinished areas in the new worship building. One particular room was the “intercessory prayer” room.
Reverend Eddie Miller ministered at West Gate from July 1985 until March 1992. Much finishing of the new auditorium was completed during his ministry, and once again, the pastor provided much of the labor.
Rev. Tom Rankin, Jr. served as interim pastor from June 1992 – October 1992.
Reverend Mike May was our pastor until June 2012. He was called in October of 1992, currently holding the longest pastorate in West Gate’s history. During his pastorate, there were several building improvements, including the moving of the church offices.
Reverend Paul Hooks is our current pastor. He was called to serve West Gate in August of 2012. He continues to deliver God's Word to the people of West Gate Baptist Church.
Reverend David Clay served as our Pastor of Youth from September 2015 through January 2, 2019. West Gate had the honor of ordaining him as Reverend on March 9, 2018.
Reverend Joshua Denham is our current Pastor of Youth and Music. He was called to serve our youth in and around our community in January 2019. He also leads our worship each Sunday morning.On August 26, 2001 a Purpose for West Gate was adopted:
To “Make Jesus L. O. R. D” (“L”ove God – Worship Him; “O”bey God – put faith into practice; “R”each the lost for Christ; “D”isciple Believers)! On September 25, 2002 an EVANGELISM COALITION was formed, with a purpose of actively seeking out and reaching Trenton, Summerfield, and surrounding towns for Christ.
In January 2018, we adopted our mission statement:
"To Equip, Empower, Encourage, and Evangelize all people, for the Glory of God, to become fully devoted followers of Christ."
God has established West Gate for ministry in this city and surrounding cities. He is still at work reaching the lost, carrying forth the Gospel, ministering to the needy, and keeping the fellowship fires warm until His Son, Jesus, returns.
