Donaldson Baptist Church in Farmersville will be celebrating its 200th Homecoming this weekend.
Bro. Mike Davis, who has been the pastor of the church for 3 and a half years, and Deacon Reed Franklin announced that the celebration will kick off Friday evening with a renowned Gospel quartet performance, and conclude with a meal following Sunday’s services.
click to download audioIn honor of the 200th Homecoming, Franklin — a member of the church’s third group consisting of the longest-tenured members — says several individuals have been collecting photographs, memorabilia, and other significant information to compile a comprehensive history book.
click to download audioFranklin recounted the origins of Donaldson Baptist Church, which began over two centuries ago as a mission in a log cabin that included a tower to guard against Native Americans.
click to download audioUpon outgrowing the log structure, Franklin noted that William Asherst contributed a parcel of land, which became the location of the inaugural church.
click to download audioAccording to Franklin, the community recognized the necessity for a school, which was constructed on the same property.
click to download audioHe notes there was also a post office and telephone exchange in Farmersville at that time.
Bro. Davis says they were lucky enough that most of all the minutes of the business meetings were still in the church when it was established.
click to download audioDuring that period, Bro Davis also mentioned that one of the responsibilities of the sexton, known as a custodian in modern terms, was to ensure the water bucket remained filled and maintain a good fire in the winter.
Despite the fact that Farmersville was in the thick of both the Civil War and the Black Patch Tobacco War, Franklin says neither were mentioned in the church’s minutes.
click to download audioEveryone is invited to the Gospel performance Friday evening and the 200th Homecoming Celebration on Sunday at Donaldson Baptist Church, located at 104 Enon Road.
