A History of Our Church

1955

Milford Hills Baptist Church began as a mission of the First Baptist Church of Salisbury, holding services in the Salisbury VFW Hall on Brenner Avenue. Sunday School classes met in a duplex apartment on a nearby street – quite a humble beginning.

1957

Plans were made to purchase a site for the construction of a multipurpose church building to meet the needs of a growing congregation. A 10-acre site on East Colonial Drive in Milford Hills was acquired, groundbreaking services were held, and two years later, our Educational Building was dedicated.

1960

We were constituted into a church in October. What began as a mission and then a chapel had become Milford Hills Baptist Church. Approximately thirty families were attending services at that point under the leadership of the church’s first pastor, the Reverend Charles Lemley.

1968

Milford Hills Baptist Church continued to grow and prosper during the 1960’s, leading to a $160,000 church bond program in 1968 that financed a long-awaited sanctuary building for the church. The bonds sold in four days and ground was broken for the construction of our beautiful sanctuary.

1969

The first worship service in the new Sanctuary was held December 11th with a formal dedication offered four weeks later. The Sanctuary project was begun and completed under the leadership of Dr. John T. Holland, our second pastor.

1978

The Reverend Gene Wilson came to Milford Hills Baptist Church serving as pastor for two years of hard-earned calm after a storm of growth for the young church and its congregation. Total value of church property at the time was estimated at $300,000.

1985

The last building program was completed and featured an extensive renovation of the Educational Building under the guidance of the Reverend Robert T. Heard, fourth pastor of the church. Program highlights included an expansion of Sunday School space, a new choir room, additional office space and a remodeled Fellowship Hall and kitchen.

1987

Pastor Phillip W. Norwood arrived at Milford Hills Baptist Church in November and served the congregation through September, 1994. Pastor Norwood challenged the church to openness in ministry and worship with an emphasis upon local and community involvement.

1994

At the conclusion of Pastor Norwood’s ministry, Reverend Ed Daniel served as supply pastor through March 1995. Ed led the church well in a worship ministry.

1995

Reverend B. R. Hiatt began an intentional interim ministry with the congregation on April 1st. For six months the church was busily involved in the process of this program, led by the Transition Team, which formed a search committee to find a new pastor.

1996

On June 23rd Milford Hills Baptist Church voted unanimously to call Jerry Allen as full-time pastor. Pastor Jerry and his family arrived in Salisbury on July 7th to begin their ministry here. We prayed that much growth and healing would take place with the arrival of our new pastor.

1997

Between July 1996 and July 1997 the church experienced significant renewal and growth. Seven new members were added to the church, four by baptism. A new Sunday School class was started for couples. A church post office was constructed. The church increased its giving to missions.

1998

Several improvements and repairs were made to the Educational Building, parking lot, and church grounds. A new storage building, lawn mower, and church van were purchased. The Youth curriculum added a new puppet ministry and a Live Nativity Scene. Six new members were added, three by baptism.

1999

Ten new members were added to our church family, four by baptism. Repairs were made to the Sanctuary in July. New hymnals were purchased in August. Our 39th Anniversary as Homecoming was celebrated on October 3rd with Dr. Charles Lemley as our guest speaker. A Chinese Elm was planted on our front lawn to commemorate this occasion.

2000

Several dying trees were removed with proceeds from a successful “Poor Man’s Supper”. The RA’s began a tape ministry for our shut-ins. Members of our congregation continue to help with the RBA’s Hurricane Floyd Disaster Relief program. Nine new members were added to our church family, one by baptism.

2001

The Lord continues to bless Milford Hills Baptist Church with the addition of 18 new members; 13 by letter and 5 by baptism. However, our hearts were saddened when Charter Member Katherine Coggins passed away. Michael Koontz was employed as our new Music Director, replacing Elizabeth Cook; and Charles Fulton was employed as our new Organist, replacing Kent Brown. Our buildings and grounds have been made more beautiful by the removal of undergrowth around the parking lot, additional Ralph Waddell Memorial landscaping around the Sanctuary, remodeling of the nursery, and new carpet for the Sanctuary. The Greater Cabarrus Celebration with Ralph Bell was held at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis. Construction began on the H. B. & Frances Keen Habitat House was begun in September and was completed in November. Johnny & Jewel Roberts retired from their custodial duties in October after 32 years of service; and Dennis Butler resumed these duties, along with sons Matt, Adam, and Andrew. Lay Ministry Weekend was an enlightening experience of fellowship and spiritual growth focusing on spiritual gifts. The Rowan Baptist Association held it’s Youth, Praise & Worship at Milford Hills Baptist Church with the band Signal Red, youth choir and creative ministries through interpretive movement and sign language.

2002

Our growth spurt continues with 11 new members: four by baptism, five by letter, and 2 by statement. Milford Hills Baptist Church formed two WMU groups in February to better service its needs: (1) Martha Brady WMU with leader Andrina Waddell, and (2) Louisa Greene WMU with leader Louise Waddell. Mission Friends also began in February with leader Cindy Fulton for ages 2-5. Milford Hills Baptist Church served as Host for Easter Sunrise Service in March. John Calvin Presbyterian Church provided the minister and music. David and Elizabeth Cook were hired as Choir Directors in May, replacing Michael Koontz. Milford Hills Baptist Church celebrated Homecoming in October with speaker Bob Hiatt and also held a Revival with speaker Hal Hiatt.

2003

Milford Hills Baptist Church received five new members this year: two by baptism and three by letter. Our hearts were saddened by the deaths of charter members Mae Edwards, Betty Jarrell, and Joe Jarrell. We rejoiced in the birth of Corbin Payne Bolick. Milford Hills began a new Sunday Evening Praise Service. Two GA groups were formed for our older and younger girls. Improvements made to our buildings and grounds during the year include repairs to the Sanctuary roof when a tree fell against it during an ice storm, painting the outside trim of all buildings, clearing out the woods to better see the church from Statesville Boulevard, and adding a playground area with new play equipment. New tables and chairs were placed in the Fellowship Hall in memory of Kathleen Coggins. Special events during the year include our annual “Poor Man’s Supper” fundraiser in March, “Experiencing God on Mission” weekend in May, Vacation Bible School “Lighthouse Kids: Shining God’s Light” in June, Baptist Men Bar-B-Que Dinner in September to raise money for “The Jesus Video” Project, and our 43rd Anniversary as Homecoming in October with former pastor Dr. John T. Holland as guest speaker.

2004

MHBC added three new members to our church family this year. Our Youth Group enjoyed many successful activities and fundraisers during the year including a lock-in, visits to a nursing home, a Christian music concert at Carowinds, a spaghetti supper and a pancake breakfast. Special events during the year include a dedication service for our new tables and chairs in the Fellowship Hall in memory of Kathleen Coggins, our annual “Poor Man’s Supper”, Vacation Bible School “Son Olympics”, and an 8-week bible study, “Secrets of the Vine”. Our church projects include raising over $1500.00 for “The Jesus Video” Project, financial support for the organization of a new High Rock Community Church, support of our local Prison Ministry, and financial support of the West Rowan Teachers Association. Our year ended with our 44th Anniversary as Homecoming celebration with friends old and new.

2005

Seven new members were received into our Church Family this year. It was an exciting year of spiritual growth and change. We have included the use of media to enhance our Sunday morning Worship experience. A Prayer Box was installed near the road to encourage the Prayer concerns of the community. Over 600 door hangers were distributed in Milford Hills, Meadowbrook and nearby apartment complexes in the community in an effort to reach those who are lost to Him. Two new services have been added on Sundays and are received with much enthusiasm – Children’s Church for children of primary school ages, and a Sunday Evening Praise and Fellowship Service. The CIA Team (Concerns In Action) meet twice each month to brainstorm and discuss church concerns and ways to enhance our time together in fellowship and worship. A “Phone Tree” system and an e-mail service have been installed to make communications with church membership more effective. And, an awesome Milford Hills web site has been created to inspire communication, action and interaction among church membership. It is also our hope that anyone who visits our web site will interact with us and be inspired to seek a closer relationship with Christ. We are excited about these changes and continue to work hard at keeping up with the times, while maintaining traditional style worship and Christian education.

2006

This year was one of both joy and sorrow – joy in the 14 new members that were received and sorrow in the passing of three long-time members: Fran Baker, Roberta Butler, and Johnny Roberts. In taking another step on our Church Renewal Journey, our “Made to Count” Weekend reminded us that every Christian is of value to Kingdom work and that we should go outside the walls of the Church to do what God has “called” and “gifted” each of us to do. Dr. Chris Schofield led us in strategies of Prayer Walking and encouraged us to “walk with Jesus in a life of prayer”. MHBC’s greatest mission this year was the start of a new Church. MHBC became sponsor of a “Vietnamese Mission Church” for the growing number of Vietnamese residents in Rowan County. We continue our quest for spiritual growth and involvement in global and local missions by encouraging our members to serve the Lord with excitement and joy.

2007

The Lord has touched hearts and brought 31 new members to Milford Hills. We continue to sponsor the Vietnamese Mission Church and have been blessed by their participation in and contributions to Church services. Pastor Ra Le has been licensed to lead the Vietnamese group in accordance with guidelines set by the Baptist State Convention. New programs, such as a Puppet Ministry and “Kidz 4 Christ” Children’s Choir, were added to accommodate our growing membership. A “Grief Ministry” was added to our OutReach Program to assist Church and Community Members during crisis. We continue our dedication to Global Missions ~ by sending supplies to soldiers in Iraq and helping with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas ~ and Local Missions ~ by assisting families in crisis situations, stocking the RHM Food Pantry, and donating items for the RSBA Christmas Store. Through hard work and determination a new Church Sign was erected on Statesville Boulevard to keep Church and Community Members aware of Church Projects and Services. Our Worship Service has been enhanced by a new Projector System with Screens. We are so grateful to Christ, our Lord, who has blessed us with spiritual growth and tools that bring us closer to him. Amen.