Community Baptist Church (1975-Present)

Community Baptist Church of Tipton began on April 13, 1975, when 27 people gathered at the American Legion Hall and decided to form a new Baptist congregation. After several meetings at the Legion Hall, the group rented the Presbyterian Church building for their weekly services. Rev. Geoffrey Swadley, a retired Baptist minister, spoke to a group of about 35 members during the first service there on May 28, 1975.

The group's first full-time pastor, Rev. Allen Tow of Salem, Oregon, was called on July 14, 1975. He served until 1977 when Rev. Max Dawson of Dresden, Ohio became pastor.

Under Rev. Dawson's leadership, a Building Committee was selected and land was purchased to build a church building on Gregory Boulevard in south Tipton. The ground-breaking service was held on July 25, 1978. After many volunteer hours of labor and much prayer, the first service was held in the basement of the church on November 5, 1978. The building was dedicated on December 10, 1978. A 300-pound, 19-foot steeple topped with a 3-foot tall cross was installed by Cambellsville Industries of Campbellsville, Kentucky in September 1980.

An educational building was constructed in 1994 under the pastorate of Rev. Jeff Elliott. In 1999, a lighted sign was erected in front of the church.

The Community Baptist Church has a youth program called A.W.A.N.A. for children from 3 years of age through the 6th grade. A.W.A.N.A. stands for "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed." The group's purpose is "to reach boys and girls with the good news of Jesus Christ and train them to serve Him." The group averages 45-50 children each week for spiritual education, crafts and fellowship. It was begun during the pastorate of the Rev. Max Dawson. Sunday and Wednesday evenings a Teen Program is offered with games and refreshments.

The Ladies Fellowship meets monthly for devotional and other projects. They are involved in church decorating, community affairs, helping the needy and providing food for shut-ins. They sponsor wedding and baby showers and are responsible for the Mother/Daughter Banquet and Father/Son Breakfast held annually.

The current (2008) pastor is Rev. Rick Ashbaugh. He began his service in August 2008.

Pastors	Years	Hometown
Rev. Allen Tow	1975-1977	Salem, OR
Rev. Max Dawson	1978-1983	Dresden, OH
Rev. Jim Gray	1983-1985	Kansas City, MO
Rev. Don Endress	1985-1986	Pensacola, FL
Rev. Bill Freese	1987-1989	Jefferson City, MO
Rev. Jeff Elliott	1990-1997	Chattanooga, TN
Rev. Randall Deville	1998-2004	Louisiana
Rev. Jerry White	2004-2006
Rev. Bobby Rogers	2007-2008
Rev. Rick Ashbaugh	2008-