Church History
A picture from the early days of Bible Baptist Church
The Bible Baptist Church of Syracuse, Kansas was founded following a tent revival in August of 1949. Its first Pastor was Al Wells, who served the church until 1955, building attendance to over 100. After his resignation, the Church was served by Pastor Bill Hodges for about a year. The third Pastor, Rev. I.M. Statzer, took the Church into the Southern Baptist Convention, and the Church's name was changed to Calvary Baptist Church. About two years later Pastor Statzer resigned and Brother Al Wells led the church back to independent status, where it has remained ever since. The original name was reclaimed.
Brother Wells resigned again in 1963, Rev. Larry Stevenson was Pastor from May, 1963, until December, 1964. Rev. Garland Hamilton was the next Pastor, serving until 1971. In October of 1971 Brother Don Kellogg, a Canadian emigre became the Pastor and succeeded in building up attendance to an average of 50-60. Hard economic times in the community in the mid 1970's hurt attendance, as families left the community in search of work. Brother Kellogg resigned in March of 1977 and was replaced by a Landmarkist Pastor, Albert Lambeth, who continued his pastorate here for 11 1/2 years .
After the landmarkist Pastor's departure, the Church continued under an interim Pastor, Brother Arland Rogers, who drove in from his home in the country 25 miles away to hold services on Sundays and Wednesday nights. In August of 1993 he was succeeded by Brother Darrel Flaming who led the church until May of 1999. He was followed by Brother Loren Mohler, a retired minister, who pastored the church from August 1999 until June 2001 and left because of increasing infirmities and ill health. Pastor Ted Mitchell arrived in early July 2001 and resigned in early July 2002.
In November 2003 Rev. Billy Kryger was called as Pastor. He began his ministry in January 2004. In November of 2007, Pastor Billy answered the call to re-enter the ministry of Evangelism. On Sunday, January 20, 2008, Bill Roberts was called as Pastor. He began his ministry with us in March of 2008.
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