Church History

Coweta Independent Baptist Church originated on February 12th, 1986.

Members of Fellowship Baptist Church met in the home of Tom and Alice Brown on a Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.  Thirty-three persons were present at this meeting.

Brother Jim Gaylor was elected as moderator.  A temporary name was voted on for the body of believers.  This assembly was to be called "The Coweta Independent Baptist Church."  Brother Roy Buckner and Brett Brown were elected as treasurers and check-signers.  Sister Brenda Brown was elected as the church clerk.  Brother Gaylor, as moderator, chose Brother Larry Casillas to assist him. 

The next meeting was the following Sunday (2-16-86) at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  Sunday morning there were 42 persons present.  Sunday evening, request was made by the members to have their names dropped from the church roll of Fellowship Baptist Church.  A letter was written and dated February 19th, 1986 requesting the dropping of these members from the church roll of Fellowship Baptist Church and hand delivered by Brother Tom Brown.

Meeting on March 6th, 1986, a motion was made, a second, and a vote which carried to organize the assembly and call for charter memberships.  There were 29 persons present at this meeting. 

On March 9th, 1986, a Letter of Intent was written to Eastland Baptist Church requesting that Eastland Baptist Church be led of the Lord to authorize and organize this group into a local, independent, New Testament Baptist Church. 

On March 30th, 1986, a special evening service was held at Eastland Baptist Church (1835 S. 129th E. Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma) dedicated to the authorization of Coweta Independent Baptist Church, being sponsored under their jurisdiction, granting full power, after organization of its membership to exercise scriptural practice in full, as an independent body of baptized believers, self-propagating and self-governing through its officers and bylaws. 

Meeting was held on April 27th, 1986, and the church voted to accept the name of body - "Coweta Independent Baptist Church."  Also, all temporary officers were retained as permanent.  Brother Larry Casillas was elected Sunday School Superintendent. 

Brother Jim Gaylor graciously agreed to continue to serve as Pastor until church was able to search out a pastor. 

On May 7th, 1986, Baptismal services were held at Brother Gaylor's home.  Six (6) persons were baptized. 

On July 9th, 1986, the first LORD's Supper was observed.

On September 21st, 1986, Brother Gaylor called for 3 men to volunteer to search out property for a church home while church continued to meet in the home of Tom and Alice Brown.

On October 11th, 1986, three (3) trustees were elected.  These were: Tommie Brown, Ken Beall, and Bob Fuller Jr.  Church also voted to offer $90,000.00 for property at Northwest corner of 131st Street and Highway 51. 

On November 28th, 1986, Coweta Independent Baptist Church became owner of property and house at 131st and Highway 51.

In January 1987, the first service was held on church property.

On May 17th, 1987, dedication services were held in the new church building (house).  Speakers were Brother Clyde Johnston and Brother Dave Hardy.

On December 28th, 1988 the church called her second pastor, Brother Phillip Farrow.

On October 22nd, 1989, three (3) men were nominated as deacons of the church.  They were: Brett Brown, John Olendorff, and Tommie Brown.  These men were elected on November 19th, 1989. 

On November 19th, 1989, the church called Brother David Lee as Pastor.

On October 26th, 1991, the church voted unanimously to call Brother Ken Villandry as its pastor.

In January 1993, work was begun on a new church building, with the old building to be used for Sunday School rooms and as the Fellowship Hall.

On January 16, 1994, the first services was held in the new auditorium.

On January 22nd, 1994, the first wedding was performed in the new building, with Chris Boyd an Katrina Cook being united in marriage with Pastor Ken Villandry officiating. 

On March 27th, 1994, dedication service was performed in the new auditorium.  Former pastors: Brother Jim Gaylor and Brother David Lee preached.  Brother Mike Whisenant, a Home Missionary, also spoke with music and singing by the Lee Family and CIBC choir under the direction of Brother Roy Buckner.

On September 12th, 1994, the first funeral for CIBC was conducted for Sister Opal Brown.

On March 16th, 1997, CIBC established the Baptist Theological Institute for training courses for future preachers.

On September 3rd, 2002, the loan for the church building became "paid in full."

On October 27th, 2002, the church called Brother J.C. Fulton as pastor.

On February 24th, 2003, "Coweta Baptist Church" was published on the World Wide Web.

On March 23rd, 2003, the church constructed a large sign presented next to Highway 51 on the church property with the new slogan "Coweta Baptist Church, Where Church is Family."

On August 3rd, 2003, the church began construction on a new Fellowship Hall, adjacent to the auditorium.

Much has been left out of this brief history of the church.  Nothing has been said of the hours of labor, time, sweat, tears, and dedication of the membership which made all these things possible.