The Beginnings of Ninth
Street Baptist Church
Rev Eddie Jordan, an
associate minister of the
church was appointed to
serve as interim pastor
for six months or until we
could call another pastor.
Rev. Jordan served as
over-seer with Christian
dignity. During his
tenure, Rev. Edward James
came to us (letter
pending) from First
Baptist Church of Kennedy
Heights. Rev. Jordan
appointed him to assist
him with Sunday School and
he did a very fine work.
Some of our member went
with Rev. McCullough and
the church was not at its
best. In trying to
hold our church with the
remaining members, a
Loyalty Service was
planned for August 6,
1972. It was an all
day service with dinner
and a program in the
afternoon, and
registration of all who
would remain with the
church. About 80
members pledged their
loyalty to remain at Ninth
Street Baptist Church.
Rev. J. R. Garr and
Macedonia Baptist closed
out the service that
evening. Rev. Garr
gave us some helpful
advice and commended us
for holding on.
The members gave three
hundred forty five dollars
in that Loyalty Service,
and the spirit of
cooperation was rekindled.
Under the guidance of Rev.
Jordan, we held a Mortgage
service August 20, 1972,
and paid off all of our
indebtedness of one
thousand three hundred
dollars. Brother
Richard Fowler was elected
as executive secretary of
the trustee board to
assist Deacon James Webb,
Treasurer who had begun to
fail in health. Rev
Jordan did not serve out
the time. He had
been elected as well,
because some of the
members felt we should get
a pastor as soon as
possible.
Rev. Poyntz was
elected October 21, 1972
and came to us October 29,
1972. We met with
Rev. Poyntz November 6,
1972 and he outlined his
plan for 1973.
During his leadership, we
were able to buy two more
parcels of land, which
enabled us to enlarge the
parking lot and blacktop
it. New furniture
was purchased for the
pastor’s study and tile
was laid on the lower
level, and new red carpet
was laid over the entire
sanctuary. New seats
were purchased for the
choir and the entire
church was redecorated.
Brother Richard
Fowler, who had been put
on trial as a deacon,
acknowledged his calling
into the ministry.
After preaching his trial
sermon, he was licensed as
a Gospel Minster.
Later, he was examined,
and ordained to the Gospel
Ministry in September
1979. Five men were
called into service, and
ordained as deacons of the
church, Frank Gillespie,
John Sheffey, Walter
Comer, Leroy Jackson, and
Joseph Miller.
Brother Ralph Huley was
accepted as a member and
as a deacon from the First
Baptist Church of Dry
Ridge Kentucky.
Which we knew had gone out
of existence.
The Brotherhood was
organized and a church bus
and a van were purchased
during that time.
After being with us for
eleven years, Rev. Poyntz
resigned and left us May
23, 1983. Reverend
Richard Fowler the
assistant pastor was
elected as acting pastor.
A weeklong prayer service
was held by the
membership.
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