Our History
Northside Baptist Chapel started on November 5, 1967, at 3:00 p.m. in the American Legion Hall when Rev. L.H. Gardner, Superintendent of Missions, preached the first message. Other Sunday afternoon services followed, but due to lack of response by Lebanon people there was a cancellation of services.
The next effort took place in the summer of 1968 with a Vacation Bible School at the American Legion Hall. The Miami Valley Association and Pennyroyal Baptist church sponsored this. Sunday services were again attempted in the fall of 1968, with Mr. Dean Moore of Pennyroyal Church doing the preaching.
It was at this point that a decision was made to seek the help of the Home Mission Board in securing a full time pastor for Northside Chapel, then called North Lebanon Baptist Chapel. This resulted in the calling of Rev. Howell Upchurch, pastor of Molena Baptist Church in Molena Georgia.
Rev. Upchurch and his family moved on the field the first week in January, 1969. At that time, in addition to the three families from Pennyroyal Church, the sponsoring church, there were four members from the Lebanon area. Services were held in the American Legion Hall and in the parsonage.
In July of 1969 the Chapel bought three acres of land located on Miller Road, across from the new Lebanon High School. The price of the land was $30,000.00. In November of 1969, a parsonage was purchased at 405 Kuntz Drive at a cost of $19,500.00.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for a first unit were held on the building site on the afternoon of October 4, 1970, with construction getting underway soon thereafter. On March 21, 1971, the congregation entered the new building for their first service. However, the city closed the building the following week and refused the congregation the privilege of holding services the following Sunday. On April 5, 1971, the congregation again entered the building and has been having services in it ever since.
This first unit was dedicated on Sunday, September 17, 1971 with the Dedication Sermon being delivered by Dr. Ray E. Roberts, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of The State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. Rev. L.H. Moore, Editor of the OHIO BAPTIST MESSENGER, offered the Dedicatory prayer. The building was 40 feet by 75 feet, had two levels, and contained approximately 6, 000 square feet of floor space. The sanctuary could accommodate 250-275 persons (including choir area and overflow). There were facilities for 13 classes, including a nursery. In addition, there were two rest rooms and a pastor’s study.
The architect was Mr. Jack Roy Gore of Cincinnati, and the General Contractor was Sneed and Associates of Cincinnati. The Pastor served as Building Coordinator in the absence of a building committee. The Church Furnishings Committee consisted of Mr. and Mrs. John Barnthouse, Mrs. Geneva henry, Mrs. Faye Gibbs, and Mrs. Mae Upchurch. All the work was by contract except for the painting, which was done by the men of the Chapel.
The cost of construction was as follows:
Architect $ 2,833.00
Contractor $55,006.00
Light Fixtures $ 1,734.00
Pews and Pulpit Furniture $ 4,791.00
Carpet $ 2,078.00
The next important date in the life of the church came on December 12, 1971 when an examining council was called for the purpose of constituting the Northside Baptist Chapel into the Northside Baptist Church. Upon recommendation of the council, the church was constituted with seventy-eight charter members whose names are recorded by the Church Historian. Rev. T. Howell Upchurch continued to serve as pastor. Rev. Arthur Walker, Director of Missions for Ohio Baptists, delivered the message on this occasion.
On March 8, 1972 the church voted to enter the bus ministry with the purchase of two buses. On July 12, 1972 the church voted to purchase two other buses and in October 1973 voted to purchase a fifth bus.
In a business meeting September 12, 1973 the church voted to secure the services of an architect for the purpose of drawing plans for a new educational building. A building committee was selected consisting of the following: Carl Ware, Richard Sibcy, Charles Melton, Mrs. Geneva Henry, Mrs. Linda Cantrell and the pastor as coordinator.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new building were held on Sunday, November 25, 1973.
One of the outstanding revivals held at this time was that conducted by Rev. Bill Stafford of Tennessee the week of June 2-9, 1974. Pastor T. Howell Upchurch resigned on June 30, 1974 stating that he had been called to become the pastor of the Valley View Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky.
A Pulpit Committee was selected on July 3, 1974 consisting of Darryl Daubenmire, Mrs. Charles Melton, Walter Pennington, James Norris and John Jackson. Pastor Upchurch moved from the field August 18, 1974. Rev. David Walker, a member of the congregation who had been ordained on February 17, 1974, and was serving as Assistant Pastor, was elected to become Interim Pastor. He served until January 26, 1975, at which time he moved to Louisville, Kentucky.
The Pulpit Committee went to hear Rev. Ira McMillen, Jr., pastor of the Unity Baptist Church of Ashland, Kentucky on a Sunday in September. He and his wife were invited to visit the church field on a weekday, at which time they met with the committee and an invitation was extended to Rev. McMillen to preach before the church on November 3, 1974. At the close of the morning service on that date, a unanimous call was extended to him to become pastor. Pastor and Mrs. McMillen were moved into the parsonage and spent their first night there on December 30. He conducted the Watch Night service on December 31 and from that point on assumed his duties as pastor.
On Sunday, February 2, 1975, after many delays and much disappointment, the church entered the new educational building. On Sunday, March 2, the church began having two morning worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. due to the increase in the number of those attending. A World Missions Conference was conducted the week of March 2-9 with several state, home and foreign missionaries participating. Pastor McMillen conducted a week of evangelistic services March 23-30 with John White leading the music. There were twenty-five who united with the church on profession of faith and baptism and seven who came into the membership by letter.
At a business meeting on May 14, 1975 the church authorized the pastor to appoint a Building Planning Committee to study the feasibility of extending the length of the present sanctuary to increase seating capacity for approximately two hundred persons. Those named were Charles Gustin (Chairman), Carl Ware, Walter Pennington, James Norris, William Gilbert and Charles Melton. This committee reported on June 18, 1975 and recommended that the church employ an architect to draw plans as suggested by the committee to be submitted to the church at the earliest possible date.
June 29, 1975 was set aside as Homecoming and Dedication Day for the Educational Building. Rev. T. Howell Upchurch, first pastor of the congregation returned to preach at the two morning services and participate in the dedication program. Dr. Ray E. Roberts, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of The State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, brought the Dedication Message. Rev. L.H. Gardner, director of Missions for the Miami Valley Association of Baptist, offered the Dedicatory prayer.
On October 5, 1975 groundbreaking ceremonies for an addition to the sanctuary were held.
December 23, 1975 was John White’s last Sunday as Music Director. Mark Braddom assumed this responsibility at this point.
Glen Mollett came to serve as Minister of youth and Outreach on April 4, 1976. He served until September 10, 1976.
September 12, 1976 was the date for the dedication of the sanctuary addition. It was completed at a cost of $33,000.00 and was paid for at the time of dedication. Dr. Ray Roberts was guest speaker for the day.
June 1977 Steve tufts, a student at Southern Seminary, was hired as a part-time Minister of Youth. He became a full-time staff member in January 1978.
Pastor Ira McMillen, Jr., resigned effective September 30, 1978 to become Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Mason, Ohio.
A pulpit committee was elected October 1, 1978 consisting of Ralph Brackney, Gil Jarrard, Charles Melton, Howard Roten, Richard Sibcy, and Shirley Sizemore.
Rev. Harry Harper, a foreign missionary on leave from Bogota, Colombia was called to serve as interim pastor.
On June 10, 1979 Rev. Ronald E. Stewart, pastor of the Favorite Hill Baptist Church in Piqua, Ohio was invited to preach a trial sermon. In the evening service the church voted to extend a call to Reverend Stewart. He assumed the duties of pastor on Jul 29, 1979. He and his family moved to Lebanon August 27.
A Daycare center was begun in September 1980. The center provided care for children from birth through kindergarten. Mrs. Burnell Neeley was hired as the director.
Steve Tufts presented his resignation as Minister of Youth effective January 1, 1981.
A Search Committee was elected consisting of Howard Roten, Myra Neeley, Jim Goldschmidt, Tracey Stewart, and Doug Sibcy. The committee interviewed Michael Jarrett, a recent graduate of Cumberland College. Bro. Jarrett was presented to the church on June 14, 1981 as a prospective Youth pastor. He was extended a call and moved on the field with his wife, Karen, on July 7, 1981.
In May 1981 the church voted to establish a mission in the Route 48-Lytle Five-Points road area. Tom Adams, a student at Southern Seminary and a former member of Northside, was enlisted through the state convention to work in the area during the summer. After a few weeks of survey work, the first service was held on July 19 with 12 people attending. Tom Adams led the service.
In 1981 Northside celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Dr. Howell T. Upchurch, first pastor of the congregation, returned to preach the AM service and former pastor Rev. Ira McMillen, Jr. preached the PM service. Rev. David Walker led in worship.
An ordination service was conducted for Mike Jarrett, current Youth Pastor, on December 13, 1981.
In July 1982, Howard Roten resigned as lay pastor of the Crossroads Baptist Chapel, Northside’s mission. Boyce Sizemore conducted services for a few weeks. Rev. Phil Wyrick was then called as Pastor and after faithfully serving resigned to answer a call as a Naval Chaplain.
After 2 ½ years of faithful service, Rev. Mike Jarrett resigned as Youth Pastor to go to University Baptist Church in Middletown to serve as Minister of Education.
Crossroads Baptist Chapel calls Rev. Bob Willey from Massachusetts to serve as Pastor.
On November 18, 1984 an outdoor dedication service was held for the new education building.
Rev. Jim Butler was called as Associate Pastor on September 4, 1985. He began serving on September 25th, working especially with youth.
On May 24, 1985, Rev. Ron Stewart received his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In November 1985, Crossroads Baptist Chapel stopped their ministry after 4 ½ years of service in the Route 48 & Lytle-Five Points Area.
In September 1986, the Search Committee presented Rev. Rick Spencer to the church for Associate Pastor. On September 28th, Rev. Spencer preached at all three services, after which a Special Business Meeting was held wherein the congregation elected to call him to the ministry of Northside Baptist Church.
In November 1986, the church voted to purchase additional land. In 1987, the Northside purchased 17.7 acres from Bill Imbus for $367,000.00. On December 2, 1987, the Land Acquisition Committee reported that the Imbus house with 4.6 acres was sold for $180,000.00.
Dr. Ron Stewart then resigned as Pastor, preaching his last Sunday on May 15, 1988. He went to serve at Grace Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
A pulpit committee consisting of Dave Benson, Steve Gregory, Burnell Neeley, Richard Sibcy and Myra Neeley was formed. On July 10, 1988, the church met for a Question & Answer time with Associate Pastor Rick Spencer and later held a secret ballot vote to elect Rev. Spencer as Pastor. He served until November 15, 1989.
Another parcel of 4.5 acres was sold off for $40,000.00. This left the remaining property at 8.5 acres, which actually cost the church $145,000.
Dr. Howell T. Upchurch, first pastor of Northside, was called to serve as Interim Pastor on December 10, 1989.
On November 19, 1989, the following were elected to the Pastoral Search Committee: Mike Elam, John Goldschmidt, Darlene Hicks, Gil Jarrard and Lynda Neeley.
In March 1990, Mark Braddom resigned as Music Director after 14 years. After a reception on March 13th, he left for a position as Music Director at Grace Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
On March 28, 1990, Paul Grubb was presented to the church and voted to serve as Music Director.
March 25, 1990, was Dr. Howell Upchurch’s last day as Interim Pastor.
Rev. Tom Gordon served as our Interim Pastor from September through December 1990.
The Pastor Search Committee called a Special Business Meeting on November 25, 1990 to decide on issuing a call to Dr. Howell T. Upchurch. On January 6, 1991, the church welcomed Dr. Upchurch as Pastor.
On December 20, 1992, after making the final payment on the remaining 8.5 acres of the Imbus property, the bank note was burned.
On December 25, 1994, Rev. Dave & Sue Thompson were presented to the congregation at the AM worship service after which he performed a special song. That evening Rev. Thompson was interviewed by the Pastor before the congregation and then shared a mini concert. He was extended a call to Northside as Associate Pastor and accepted on January 16, 1995. Rev. David Thompson resigned as Associate Pastor in the spring of 1996.
November 15, 1999, Rev. Howell T. Upchurch announces his retirement. A Pastoral Search Committee consisting of Doug Runyan, Bill Shepherd, Tom Nickell, Myra Neeley and Edie Wilson was then elected.
May 7, 2000 was Dr. Upchurch’s last day at Northside; he then left to retire in Ponta Gorda, Florida. On that same day, Rev. JC. McKinney was called to serve as Interim Pastor.
On September 10, 2000, the Pastoral Search Committee introduced Rev. Shawn Watson to the congregation. After preaching the morning service and a question and answer period in the PM service, the congregation called Rev. Watson and his wife, Kelli to Northside Baptist Church. He began as Pastor on October 29, 2000.
October 28, 2001 was Paul Grubb’s last Sunday as Music Director; he gave a concert that evening and was extended appreciation for his service.
A search committee consisting of Rusty Spruell, Tom Nickell, Billy Collett, Jewell Sizemore and Trish Hill presented William Lawler to serve as Associate Pastor of Worship and Music on March 24, 2002. The congregation voted unanimously on Wednesday, March 20th to call William to Northside, where the story continues.
