Fortuna Baptist Church

Following is a list of Pastors serving since the date of organization (through 1978):

E. T. Shelton	1902	G.L. Newkirk	1932	Charles Tyson	1964-66
Leslie Kenny	1905	G. Elmo Purvis	1934	W. D. Martensen	1966-72
P. H. Taylor	1906	O.W. Goodnight	1936	Merle McDonald	1973
R. T. White	1908	Rufus Crozier	1937	Leroy Moon	1973-78
H. W. Allee	1912	A.L. Browning	1940	Clinton Taylor, Sr	1978-80
G. E. Benson	1913	Rev. Prewitt	1943	Edward Lewis	1980-82
H. W. Allee	1914	Ernest Waite	1944	Danny Lee Thomas	1983-84
G. N. Neafus	1915	Don Miller	1947	Morris Potter	1984-89
H. W. Allee	1916	Leonard Sullivan	1949	Troy Payne	1989-97
T. C. Richards	1919	Beryl Gray	1950	W. D. Martensen	1997-2000
Ray Parker	1920	Robert Streeter	1952	Daniel Rogers	2001-03
M. S. Humphrey	1921	Walter Fuqua	1954	Andrew Kuttenkuler	2003-04
C. E. Humphrey	1923	Richard Craig	1955	Kevin Kohler	2004-09
H. W. Allee	1928	Eugene Troop	1958	Brad Homan	2010-
D. E. Allen	1931	William Beard	1961-64

This church was organized in 1902 during the mining boom. The congregation first held services in the Methodist church, afterwards in a business room, and built the present church in 1919. At its organization the church had thirteen charter members; in 1935 a hundred and twenty nine. The Concord Association will meet here in 1936.

The Fortuna Baptist Church was organized about the year 1902. The records of the church were destroyed by fire in 1930. There are no living charter members.

For a time the church had no building, but the desire for a place of their own, in which to worship led the members to purchase an old store building and move it to the site of the present building. Both men and women gave freely of their time to make it adequate for the needs of the people. The First Baptist Church of Fortuna was dedicated in 1908.

After a number of years, the membership felt the need for a new building. The old one was moved away by a friend of the church, Mr. John Hutchison, who promised to give half of the money, if the congregation would raise the balance needed for a new house of worship. The new building was completed and dedicated in 1919.

During the pastorate of Rev. Eugene Troop and under his leadership, we added an educational unit of twelve rooms, two assembly rooms, a kitchen, a nursery and gas furnaces. This improvement furnished much needed Sunday School class rooms. Because we were following God's leadership, the new educational unit was soon paid for. We dedicated the educational facilities in February, 1960. Rev. Troop and family left the pastorate shortly, to go to Brazil as foreign missionaries, where they are serving at the present time.

Throughout the years, we've had many good pastors. Several began their ministry in the Fortuna Church; they have now gone on to a greater service in which we feel we've had a part. Some have gone into the ti-aching field. We cherish the memory of all former pastors.

We continue to serve the community and village of Fortuna. Our present pastor (May 1972) is Rev. W. D. Martensen, and under his leadership we have grown both spiritually and in numbers. Our membership is 171. We have added to our building: a baptistery, carpeting, an organ and piano, paneling of the auditorium, and recently, we have bought a new home for use as a parsonage.

We carry on a full program as recommended for Southern Baptists. We ask for the prayers of the members of the Concord Baptist Association, that we will continue to fill our place in our community.

From the 1980 History of Moniteau County published by the Moniteau Co. Historical Society:

The Baptist Church at Fortuna was constituted in 1902 under the leadership of the Rev E. T Shelton, during the mining boom. The congregation at first held its services at the Methodist Church, having services once a month. This proved unsatisfactory after a few years and they began planning for a place of worship of their own. They bought an old store building on the corner across from the present church. Mr. John Hutchison gave the ground to put the building on and it was moved, it was nothing of beauty, but the men went to work in earnest and soon had the siding on and painted. They put in the required number of windows and built a belfry on the front. The women of the Church also played an important part in establishing and maintaining that first church. The inside walls were plain wide pine boards. The women bought material and tacked it closely over the entire wall. It took much tacking, then they papered it, which really made a nice smooth wall. Shortly, the ladles aid was organized. They met once a week and quilted or sewed. One spring they made and sold fifty sunbonnets.

The building was moved and dedicated in 1908. The church had the following charter members: Mr. and Mrs. J Fowler, Mr. and Mrs. P Bechtel, Mr and Mrs. R. L. Hays, Mrs. Smyra P. Hays, Mrs. Georgia Johnson Scott, Mr. and Mrs. W. Wendleton, Mrs. Sarah Carter, Mrs. Fannie Carter, Mrs. Cinda Drake, Mrs. Chloe Wilson. R. L. Hays and James Fowler were the first ordained deacons.

They had some good and wonderful revivals in that old church. After one revival about fifty were baptized.

After using the old building for some years they desired a new and better one. Rev. T, C. Richards of Syracuse was the pastor at the time and was very anxious that they build. Mr. Hutchison again came to the rescue and bought the old building and moved it away, which gave a start on the new one. Not only did he help in this manner; he said if the members would raise half the money for the new building, he would give the other half. Plans were soon completed and in due time the new church was completed and dedicated in 1919.”

All the original records were lost in a storm or fire in the 1930’s. However, due to the help of many dedicated members, friends, and neighbors, much has been retained of the early history

The congregation which had supported a Pastor for only one Sunday in each month soon voted for a full time ministry. Later a parsonage was purchased and a full time pastor came to live on the field of service. That program has continued to the present time.
Throughout the years the church has maintained the different organizations as Sunday School, the W. M.U. and Auxiliaries, Training Union, and an annual Bible School.

During the pastorage (1958 1960) of Rev. Eugene Troop (who is now a missionary in Brazil) the church recognized the need for an educational building. It was added to the present structure and dedicated in 1961, providing 10 more class rooms, 2 assembly rooms, rest rooms, and a nursery. A deep well and the modernization of the church kitchen followed. During 1964 and 65 two gas furnaces were installed and a new piano and electric organ were added and still grace the auditorium.

Then came the addition of a baptistry and the redecorating of the main auditorium with carpeting and paneling being installed during the ministry of Rev. W. D. Martensen between 1966-1972 Also during this time a gift was received from a former member, Mrs. J, M, Berkey, and chimes were installed, The chimes can be heard daily by many close residents.

In 1972 a new parsonage was purchased.

Early in 1978 carpeting was added to the fellowship hall in the basement. In 1980, thanks to a gift from Mrs. J. M. Berkey, the church pews were upholstered which greatly adds to the appearance and comfort.

Our members were greatly saddened in March, 1980 in the loss of our faithful pianist and dedicated servant of Our Lord, Mrs. Oma Lammert. She had served as pianist for over 50 years, as well as in many other capacities.

The church has continued to grow under the leadership of many good pastors and together with the Methodist congregation it endeavors to care for the spiritual needs of the people of Fortuna and the surrounding country side.

The Baptist Church at Fortuna was constituted in 1902 under the leadership of the Rev. E. T. Shelton, during the mining boom. The congregation at first held its services at the Methodist Church, having services once a month. This proved unsatisfactory after a few years and they began playing for a place of worship of their own. They bought an old store building on the corner across from the present church. Mr. John Hutchinson gave the ground to put the building on and it was moved. It was nothing a beauty but the man went to work in earnest and soon had the siding on and painted. They put in the required number of windows and built a belfry on the front. The women of the church also play an important part in establishing and maintaining the first church. The inside walls were plain wide pine boards. The women bought material tacked closely over the entire wall. It took much tacking, then they prepared it, which really made a nice smooth wall. Shortly, the ladies aid was organized. They met once a week and quilted or sewed. One spring they made and sold 50 sun bonnets.

The building was moved and dedicated in 1908. R. L. Hays and James Fowler were the first ordained deacons. After one revival about 50 were baptized.

After using the old building for some years they desired a new and better one. Rev. T. C. Richards of Syracuse was the pastor at the time and was very anxious that they build. Mr. Hutchinson again came to the rescue them but the old building and moved it away, which gave a start on the new one. Not only did he help in this manner, he said if the members would raise half the money for the new building, he would give the other half. Plans were soon completed and in due time the new church was completed and dedicated in 1919.

All the original records were lost in a storm or fire in the 1930s. However, due to the help of many dedicated members, friends, and neighbors, much has been retained of the early history.

The congregation which had supported a pastor for only one Sunday each month soon voted for a full-time ministry. Later a parsonage was purchased and a full-time pastor came to live on the field service. The program has continued to the present time.

During the pastorate (1958-1960) of Eugene Troop, missionary to Brazil, the church recognized the need for any educational building. It was added to the present structure and dedicated in 1961.

Then came the addition of a baptistery and the redecorating of the main auditorium with carpeting and paneling being installed between 1966-1972. Also, chimes were installed, a new parsonage was purchased, stained-glass windows and storm windows were put in. There were 65 additions during his six years, 43 were saved here.

Under the leadership of pastor (July 1976) Rev. Leroy Moon, a bus ministry was formed to let more have the opportunity to meet Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Rev. W. D. Martensen returned in January 1997 to again pastor this church and so far we've had 42 additions. The young man, Dustin Fields, surrendered to the ministry.

Fortuna Baptist Church was organized by Elds. E. T. Shelton and P. H. Taylor, and deacons Wm. Drake, Akinsville church, and Joe Irey of Green Grove Church, April 13, 1904, with the following members: Peter Bechtle and wife, Ben Henry and wife, Dr. G. S. Wilson and wife, Ben R. Hodges and wife, John Hodges and wife, R. L. Hays and wife, Wm. Wendleton and wife, Miss Georgia Carter, Mrs. Alice Estill, Mrs. Lana Ghist, Mrs. Fannie Carter, Mrs. Sarah Carter, and Mrs. Alice Wendleton. Rev. E. T. Shelton was chosen pastor and R. L. Hays clerk. Ben R. Hodges and R. L. Hays were ordained deacons. There were no additions during the rest of the year. Bro. Shelton resigned in June, 1905, and we were without a pastor the rest of the year. Bro's. T. F. Harvey and N. M. Oldham, then students of William Jewell College, held a meeting in August of the same year, in which there were 20 additions by baptism, 1 by relation and 2 by letter. Five were dismissed from the church during the year. Bro. P. H. Taylor was elected pastor Jan., 1906. In August he was assisted in a meeting by W. M. Oldham and Sam Williamson, students of William Jewell College. There were no additions during this year, but a decrease of two by letter. T. R. White was called for 1907, and in June held two weeks meeting assisted by H. A. Barton. There were 3 additions by baptism and 3 by letter. In 1908 we failed to secure a pastor but Bro's. T. R. White and B. F. Heaton held a two weeks meeting in which 3 were received by baptism and 1 by relation. The church was greatly revived and proceeded to secure a house of worship.

We were unable to have a Baptist Sunday School, as we were worshiping in the Methodist house. A building was secured and Bro. John Hutchison gave the church a lot on which to build; the building was moved onto the lot, repaired and enlarged, and was ready to be occupied the first of the year 1909. A Sunday School was organized as soon as we were in our own house and has continued to grow in interest and attendance ever since!

L. R. Kenny became pastor in 1909 and Lora Atkeson was chosen clerk. Bro. McGrew, Missionary of Concord Association, held a few days meeting in June. The church was dedicated the 5th Sunday in August 1909. There was 1 addition by baptism and 5 by letter. During the year there were two dismissed. Bro. Kenny resigned as pastor in Sept., and Bro. McGrew supplied the rest of the year. Bro. T. J. Suddarth of Versailles was called as pastor in March, 1911. The Sunday School Convention met with Mt. (church name?) on Friday after the 1st Sunday Oct. Bro. James E. Fowler was ordained deacon on Saturday night of the convention. G. E. Benson, Association Missionary, continued the meeting three weeks resulting in 38 additions to the church by baptism, 17 by letter, 3 by relation, 1 restored and 3 approved for baptism. Eld. Wilson Allee was called to the care of the church in 1912, and is rendering efficient service. During his pastorate one has been added by baptism and 1 by letter.

Considering the disadvantages under which this church has labored, her growth is marvelous. But for the courage and perseverance of a faithful few it could not have succeeded.