In November of 1959, the church called its first full-time pastor and the church constitution was completed and accepted by the congregation. Also during this time, the church became independent of the American Baptist Convention.
On March 3, 1963, the first services were held in the new church building at Third Avenue and Charleston Drive. In June of 1970, the church started a bus ministry. In 1973, the new educational building was completed with 15 classrooms, 2 assembly rooms, 2 offices, kitchen facilities and rest rooms. The new Family Life Center was completed in 1990, which gave the church congregation a gymnasium, larger kitchen facilities and new restrooms. The auditorium was updated in 1994, with the extension of the platform area and again in 1996, with the addition of a balcony.
In 1997, the church purchased 12.6 acres of land in Fairplain, and in 2002, extra acres were acquired bring the total acreage to 14. In 2001, the church celebrated the note burning, relinquishing them of the debt on the Fairplain property. Also this year, a picnic shelter was built at Fairplain. In 2002, the site preparation was completed, with water and electricity added later. In the summer of 2006, kitchen and restrooms facilities were added to the picnic shelter.
Only eternity will show the full reward of those who have labored so faithfully for our Lord throughout the years at Ripley Baptist Temple. It is still the desire of this membership to carry out the Great Commission, exalt our Saviour, and to edify the saints. “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18
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