A BRIEF HISTORY OF REDFIELD MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

In 1859, a Baptist Church near the town of Red Bluff was organized by Elder R.J. Coleman.  Peter Siler, a plantation owner, asked Bro. Coleman to preach to his family and slaves one Sunday each month at a house built on his land.  In the spring of 1859, Peter Siler, his wife, and two other brethren and their wives entered into a church covenant.  Several other members were later added to the church by baptism, and Bro. Coleman’s ministry continued at this church for about 4 years.

This church was represented at the organizational meeting of the Pine Bluff Association on June 7, 1861.  Later that year on Friday, October 17, the first annual session of the Pine Bluff Association was held.  Bro. George D. Hardy, a messenger representing Red Bluff Baptist Church, preached the Introductory Sermon.  Bro. R.J. Coleman, pastor of Red Bluff Baptist Church, preached the Missionary Sermon that Sunday and was elected as the first moderator of this association.

The original location of the church was about 1.5 miles down the river from Red Bluff.  Sometime in the 1860s, the church began meeting in the old town of Red Bluff, which was located on the Arkansas River northeast of modern-day Redfield.  A church building was completed there in 1870.  Soon after this, the town of Red Bluff began to decline and eventually ceased to exist.  However, around this time, a railroad was completed through the nearby town of Redfield.  Some people, including members of Red Bluff Baptist Church, moved from Red Bluff to Redfield.

It is not known when the church at Red Bluff stopped meeting together, but Baptist folks who moved from Red Bluff and other Baptist people began meeting together in Redfield.  They held services at the Methodist church building which was the only church building in town at the time.  Occasionally, traveling Baptist ministers came to Redfield and held services.  Among these men were B.F. Milam, a Reverend Dale, a Reverend Clark, and a Bro. Hultzman.  The Baptist work was inconsistent for a few years, but finally, Redfield Missionary Baptist Church was officially organized on July 14, 1887 with an arm extended from Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Pine Bluff.  Bro. F.P. Davis seems to have been instrumental in the church’s organization and early success.  He is also listed as the church’s pastor in 1891 when the church was received into the Pine Bluff Association of Missionary Baptist Churches.

In the 1880s or early 1890s, the church made plans to build a church building.  However, the church owned no land.  A building committee was organized; and land, materials, and labor were donated.  Bro. T.N. Williams gave land, and others gave money, lumber, or days work.  The original building was about 40’ by 50‘ and was completed in a short time.  Services were held there as soon as the floor was laid and some of the sides were nailed on.  About that time, a revival service was held, and many members were added to the church.  A strong Baptist work had now been established in Redfield.  The church had a building as a meeting place, kept a regular pastor, organized a Sunday School, and held prayer meetings weekly. 

The original church building served the needs of the church until it was damaged by a storm around 1912.  Until the building was permanently repaired many years later, services were periodically held in the public school building or in church members’ homes as needed.  This building was used by the church until it was removed in 1975.  However, over the years, the church grew and the needs of the church grew as well.  By 1950, the church had grown into a “full-time” church keeping a full-time pastor on the field.  By 1960, the church had built a parsonage which was later moved to the old building site.

In 1965, plans were made to build a new auditorium and use the old building as education space.  Land was given by Bro. & Sis. Joe Murdock, and money was borrowed to pay for the new building.  When the original loan was paid off in 1970, another building project began to add classroom space, a fellowship hall, and a kitchen to the new building.  In 1974, more classroom space was added.  In 1986, plans were made to again expand the church building.  To make room for the new addition, land was given by the Hardin Murdock and Claude Courtney Families.  Much building space was added with this remodel, and the church building as we see it today was completed in 1991.  In 2002, plans were again made to add building space, this time with the addition of an Activity Building.  The Activity Building as we see it today was completed in 2004. 

Throughout her history, Redfield Missionary Baptist Church has dedicated herself to doing God’s work.  Many souls have been saved because they heard the Gospel preached in our church services, taught in our Sunday School classes, or proclaimed by members of this church.  Many people have been baptized on the authority God has given this church to baptize in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.  Many of God’s people have been taught more about God and taught how to better live for the Lord in our Sunday School classes, Worship Services, and other lesson times.  Many people have been influenced by God’s people doing God’s work through this wonderful church.

Redfield Missionary Baptist Church is committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not only in Redfield and the surrounding areas, but also around the world.   Over the years, Redfield Missionary Baptist Church has supported missionaries who have established churches in Arkansas, other parts of the United States, and in various countries in the world.  This church has had a very direct role in the establishment of churches in the countries of India and Mexico, and we plan to continue to support and sponsor missionaries who preach God’s Word correctly.  The commitment of Redfield Missionary Baptist Church today is to continue our heritage of fulfilling the Great Commission until our Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth. 

As with any church, our history records certain problems that could have abolished God’s work through this church.  At various times, the church has been split, church property has been damaged or destroyed, the church has been without a pastor, money has been tight, space has been limited, church members have had sinned against one another, and few faithful Christian workers have been available to serve.  However, through these and other circumstances, God’s work at Redfield Missionary Baptist Church has survived and thrived.  The devil has not won, and God has given the increase.  May this church continue to work together to do God’s work, and may God bless this church and all of His churches as we seek to serve our Lord until Jesus Christ returns to this earth.