Silvis Heights Baptist Church History

OUR HISTORY

On May 1, 1938, Rev. John Rader from First Baptist Church of Silvis, appointed a committee to investigate the need of a Bible-believing church in the Silvis Heights area. On March 2, 1939, the First Baptist Church of Silvis endorsed the project of starting a Sunday School Mission on South 19th Street. Ground was broken on May 3, 1940. It was organized into a Regular Baptist Church on January 3, 1943. Charter members were:

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Land
Mr. and Mrs. William Tolle
Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Swanson
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Duncan
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lemmert
Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Roberts
Mr. and Mrs. Joe B. Guthrie
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hegenderfer
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ramsey
Mr. and Mrs. Willard Laird
Calvin Tolle
Ernest Tolle
Charles Roberts
Martha Malmstrom
Arvie Griffith
Barbara Kunkle
Dorothy Stoneburg
Nancy Lang
Harold Shappard
Edith Slaith
Bill Copeland

OUR PASTORS

Fred Lammert
Kenneth Kolmodin
Herbert Orman
Gordon Perry
Orville Terry
Wilburn Hon
Glen Prewitt
Herb Brail
Ron Boss
Edward Thompson
Dennis Boonstra
Greg Javaux

In 1949, the sanctuary was enlarged by building up over the basement. In 1951, a wing, 26 X 30 feet, was started to the east of the sanctuary. In June of 1958, under the ministry of Rev. Gordon Perry, a building was started and was finished in March of 1959. In 1957, our first parsonage was purchased. In June of 1965, a lot was purchased from the Charles Shappards to make room for our new building. On April 17, 1966, ground was broken for our new sanctuary, Sunday School rooms, fellowship hall, and offices. We moved into the new sanctuary on March 12, 1967. Dedication of the building was held on May 14, 1967.

In June of 1969, the church called Rev. Orville Terry to begin his ministry. In September of 1971, the church hired Del Nicholls as associate pastor. The following February of 1972, Rev. Orville Terry submitted his resignation effective March 14, 1972 to start a new church in the area of Billie Wolfe Road. Thirty-three members were dropped from the roll to help start this church. Pastor Wilburn Hon was given the call to be the new pastor on June 28, 1972.

In 1973, a parcel of land was donated for the purpose of building a new parsonage on 10^th Ave. and was completed in 1974.

In March of 1978, the church voted to tear down the old building. This area was filled and used as a parking lot.

The highlight of 1987 was the burning of the church mortgage on Sunday, February 1, 1987.

Silvis Heights Baptist Church has its roots in a family by the name of Swanson. Reuben and Hazel Swanson were active members of the First Baptist Church of Silvis. Together, with the Glen Swansons, they owned a farm in what would become the Silvis Heights area.