A Historical Overview

                                           1968 -2005

 

In 1968, R M. Leffall envisioned the organization of a church, and expressed this desire to Reverend Marshall Hughes, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In keeping with the regulations and doctrine of the Baptist Church, RM. Leffall and eight other individuals united with Friendship, Sunday, June 23, 1968. The group included: R M. Leffall, the late Lucy Russell, Roy P. Samuel, Lenice Russell, the late Jewell Russell and her children Keith and Kristi, Vernita Farmer and her daughter, Pamela.

The formal organization of the "new church" was held that same night at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 2201 N Prospect. The late Reverend R J. Houston chaired the organizational meeting. Reverend Houston found all members to be in good standing and this constituted the first official service of Holy Temple Baptist Church. The name Holy Temple was given to Pastor Leffall by the Holy Spirit while driving to Dallas, TX. Holy Temple was initially located at 3821 Staton Drive.

Between the time of the first Prayer Service, Wednesday, June 26, 1968 and the first Sunday, June 30, 1968, twenty-one more individuals united with the church. Among them were: the late Walter Miller, the late Mattye E. Leffall, Helen Brown, Davie Lee Raine, Davie Renee' Raine, Rosie B. and Emmitt Wilson, Lillian, Marian, and Richard Adkinson, Ruth Post, Lois Pitts, James and Bennie Billingslea, E. K. Russell, Elliot and Josie Smith, Otto and Dora Caldwell and Earnestine Lee. Pastor Leffall appointed Walter Miller as Sunday School Superintendent, Marian Greer, Financial Secretary and Jewell Russell, Church Clerk.

Shortly afterwards, other family members residing in the community united with Holy Temple. The group included, Hurlon & Irene Hamilton and their children, Ida Terry and her children, James & Earlene Jones and their children, Henry and Ester Keith; Ethyl Adamson and her children; Elizabeth Edmundson and her daughters, Essie Gillespie and her daughters, Lanois Suggs, Berthene Boyd, Lawson & Sarah Windham and their children Rosemary Richards and her children. Travis Edney and Danny Terrell, Betty Lewis and her children also united with Holy Temple.

In 1969, Holy Temple relocated to its present, 1540 N. E. 50th Street. From 1969­1979, the congregation grew to approximately one hundred members. The congregation

followed leadership, engaged in prayer, made many sacrifices. However, choir robes were

purchased, the Pastor's Aid was organized and the church became active in programs for the youth and young adults. Pastor Leffall insisted upon continuous activities for the youth and held Bible School and other training at the Park Estates Christian Center. The M. E. L. Cherub Choir and the R M. L. Singers and the Those Who Care and Share Committee led by Edith Hamilton, New Members Council and the Drama department were organized during this period. Meanwhile, the Brotherhood undertook the task of refurbishing the sanctuary. The first son in the ministry, Ronald R. Leggins, answered the call in 1979.

In 1975 Davie Lee Raine was appointed as the Senior Choir President and served in that capacity for 17 years she led them successfully through many projects. They sponsored an Annual Spring and Fall Musical and presented many special programs. Many joined the choir and developed musically. Later Lessie LeSure was appointed director for the group, along with Cornell Jones as organist and Mattye Leffall as pianist. The late Irene N. Hamilton and Danny Terrell served as choir directors. Travis Edney and Barbara Berryhill also served as musicians.

Growth continued 1980-1998, Flo Burris was licensed as a missionary and Johnny Crisp Sr., answered the call to the Ministry. The mortgage was retired on the church and its property as the various auxiliaries continued their work. Several other sons answered the call to the ministry: Bill Brown Sr., Jim L. Thomas, Kenneth Harrison, Alonzo Gee, James Brunner and Karlos LeSure.

Mary Crisp, Louise May, James Brunner accepted the call to the field of Missionary work. Alford Nichols Sr. and Andrew Burris were ordained as deacons. Ideas and efforts directed toward a new edifice were also discussed during the 90's.

Following thirty years of service, Pastor Leffall announced his plans to retire from the pasturage in March 1998. A special retirement banquet was held in his honor. The Holy Temple Baptist Church family, his immediate family and a host of friends gathered to express gratitude to pastor Leffall for his faithful service to the Lord's work, Holy Temple, OKC community and various cities in Texas.

Pastor Leffall remained in an advisory capacity to the church following this retirement. His goal was to assist the church with locating appropriate leadership. In September 1998, the church voted to call Reverend George E. Young Sr. as pastor. He accepted the call. Upon arrival, Pastor Young immediately began a Needs Assessment and set a vision for Holy Temple to become a greater church in the Northeast OKC community. To do so, Pastor Young instituted an administrative management system, and initiated the position of Administrative Assistant and appointed Christine Harrison to the position. Pastor Young also implemented policies and procedures for conducting church business. At the same time, he reactivated all ministries, began the Prayer Chain, Prayer Vigils and prayer retreats. He challenged the Music Ministry to broaden its scope and recognized the ministry as the Fine Arts Ministry. Reverend Dr. Thelma Chambers Young was appointed as Director of Christian Education and the Young Adult Ministry to enable the young adults to study and grow in church membership through weekly meeting and study sessions. Sister Young also conducts monthly sessions for the Deaconess. R. M. Leffall was moved to Pastor Emeritus Status.

Additional aesthetics were added to the exterior and interior of the building. The roof was repaired, the vestibule refurbished and the pulpit enlarged. The Outreach Committee became a self-standing ministry that reports di1:ectly to the Pastor. The Deacons and trustee were formalized and hold regular meetings to conduct church business.

Following two months of work and countless hours of service, Pastor Young was installed November 15, 1998. He continued his work to elevate the status of Holy Temple in the immediate community as well as the city and state. He became affiliated with the Citizens League of OK, Faith to Government, Eagle Ridge Institute, Shiloh Summer Camp and served as Chaplain for the OK, State Legislature. Meanwhile, Pastor Young reinvigorated and set new challenges for the Youth Ministry, Evangelism and Music Department. Simultaneously, he served as President of the Progressive OK Baptist State Convention, where he also emphasized church training, leadership, study courses and other activities designed to assist local churches.

The church and each ministry focused on a Mission Statement, a Monthly and Annual Theme. This enables all groups to work toward a common goal wherein service to the community is stressed, which resulted in the Whiz Kids, a program delivered cooperatively with Our Lord's Community Church. Tutorial Services are provided to children at Longfellow Elementary School. The Outreach Committee supports Faith to Government, which deals with children in trouble with the law: Pastor Young also works with the Urban League of greater OKC in its efforts toward HN awareness.

Pastor Young advocates a strong Christian Education Program, which resulted in a series of Discipleship Classes, New Members Class, and Noon Day Bible Study as well as the continuation of Midweek Service on Wednesday, and a Saturday evening Prayer Period. Larry Leggins was ordained as a deacon, Narrris Ford, Johnathan Smith, Emma Lemons and Ebonie Harrison were added as trustees and Rev. Thelma Chambers Young was ordained as a minister of the Gospel.

Almost immediately, Pastor Young reinvigorated the Building Program with personal pledges and a def1nite commitment to "Unlock the Faith" and a belief in God for a new church. The income is growing as Pastor Young and the Church Family look to God for continued guidance for the blessing of a new edif1ce. The membership is growing spiritually and looking forward to new ventures through prayer and faith.

After the tragic events of September 11,2001, Pastor Young received a call from First Security Bank's Vice President, Ken Monier; who informed Pastor Young that the interest rates had fallen and the time was appropriate to seek a construction loan. The loan was approved on June 7, 2002. This enabled the celebration of a "Groundbreaking Ceremony", June 23, 2002. Pastor Emeritus R. M. Leffall delivered the sermon and lifted the golden shovel along with other church off1cers. Two months later, "Celebration of Life Services" were held at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, August 31, 2002 for Pastor Emeritus Leffall.

2004 - has brought new additions in ministries and organizational structure. Several new ministries were activated. These included the Nurses Ministry, Single's Ministry, JOY Gust Older Youth Senior Ministry). And Trumpet In Zion :Ministry (ministry to persons with HIV / AIDS. The oversight for ministry leadership was divided among associate pastors as Administrative Aides for: Education and Worship; Outreach, Prayer, : Mission and Evangelism :Ministries; Community Involvement, Health and Wellness :Ministries; and Membership and Contribution Ministries.

As a part of the continual growth pattern under the visionary leadership of Pastor George Young in 2003-2004 and with the approval of the church family, the new building was postponed and the interior of the church Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall were completely renovated, the kitchen was enlarged, new pews were purchased and other modifications were completed. Additionally, the former Park Estates Christian Center , 1500 NE 50th, was purchased and renamed the Mattye E. Leffall Administration and Education Center . Sunday School classes, ministry meetings, community based organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Whiz Kids and others meet at the center. The HTBC Family is blessedly excited and thankful for these additions and prayerfully look forward to the Lord's continued blessings, as we embark upon a proposal to build senior housing and a new sanctuary.

In continuation of his directive and vision from God to build a strong urban-community service ministry and to focus outside the temple, Pastor Young repeatedly espoused community service and addressing the needs of the community. He further believes that peoples lives are transformed and ultimately may become believers, according to the way that we share and attend to them.

During 2005, Pastor Young challenged ministries to reach outside the walls of Holy Temple and serve the community. Many ministries are working feverishly to pursue that goal. The Women's Ministry delivers "Care Packages" to the homeless, regularly visits Hospitals and Nursing Centers ; informs the community concerning domestic violence issues and supports the needs of women in the church. The Outreach :Ministry is certified as an agency of Feed the Children and sponsors regular clothes give-a-ways for the community. One of the adult Sunday School classes engineered and completed a project with Rebuilding OKC and the church continues Whiz Kids tutoring program through a partnership with Our Lord's Community Church . Another collaborative partnership with First Christian Church of Edmond has emerged. This partnership co sponsors a Martin L. King Program and in August, 2005, a Back to School Block Party will be held. School supplies will be given to school age children in the community. The Deacons & Trustees continue to employ strategies to improve the property and investigate cost saving measures.

Meanwhile, Pastor Young sought to strengthen the organization and management of the church. Rev. Dr. Thelma Chambers-Young was approved as Administrative Pastor in charge of operations and all Associate :Ministers were assigned to support specific ministries as Administrative Aides.