Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and in honor of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, a group of born again Christians banded together and organized Independent Missionary Baptist Church on May 14, 1950. The organizational sermon was preached by Brother Hersey Hopper and Bro. Elihu Martin prayed the organizational prayer. Fifteen individuals brought letters of recommendation from sister Baptist Churches and presented themselves for membership to form the new church. Those members elected Robert Noles as Pastor of the church pending his ordination.
The name Independent was chosen because we believe that each individual church is autonomous-- self-governing--independent of any other organization.
On February 11, 2001, by action of the Church in regular business session, the name "Independent" was changed to "Huntingdon".
Huntingdon (Formerly Independent) is a member of the Southwestern District Missionary Baptist Association, a group of sister churches, who meet annually to encourage each other and to share information; however, the association in no way infringes upon the independence of each individual member church. A history of the Association and a list of it's current members are available through the "Association" link at the bottom of this page.
Claude and Minnie Cary
Walter and Bess Cary
(Walter was the son of Claude Cary)
Bettye Sue Cary
(Daughter of Walter and Bess Cary)
Minnie Dickerson
William (Will) and Opal Kirksey
(Will Kirksey was a Deacon)
Leah Noles (Wife of Robert Noles)
Marilyn, and Jackie Noles
(Children of Leah and Robert Noles)
Leon and Annie Robinson
Lois and Lorene Townsend
Of these Charter Members, two are still members of Huntingdon (Formerly Independent) Missionary Baptist Church. They are Bettye Sue Cary McCollum, and Opal Kirksey Dameron. You can read their personal testimonies by going to their link.
At the recent dedication of our new Christian Life Center on September 30, 2007, Bro. Stapleton presented Bettye and Opal with Certificates of Recognition from the church for their dedication and contribution to the church through the years.
Robert Noles
1950 to 1952
Clarence Carter
1952 to 1955
T. L. Campbell
1955 to 1960
John Hedges
1960 to 1966
E. J. Baker
1966 to 1971
Mitchell Rayburn
1971 to 1973
Robert Noles
1973 to 1976
F. L. Ray
1976 to 1978
(Died while serving)Weldon Chandler (Interim)
April to July 1979
Kenneth Massey 1979 to January 1989 William Overton
(Interim)January to Easter 1989
Lynn Stapleton was elected Pastor and started serving the church on Easter Sunday 1989.
With the aid of the Holy Spirit and the labor of the members, a church building was erected. By the beginning of 1951 it was ready to be used for worship. By May 10, 1953, the indebtedness had been paid and the church met for an all day service to dedicated the church to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
--Through the years, improvements have been made to the building---
HMBC as it is today.
We hope you enjoyed this brief history of our church. Please browse through the other pages on our site. May we suggest that you visit the "Association" page (link below) next? And, please don't leave our web site without signing our guest book.
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