Ingleside Baptist Church

INGLESIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
834 WIMBISH ROAD, MACON, GA 31210
www.ingleside.org  (478) 477-7251


About Ingleside Baptist Church

“We definitely feel the Lord leading us to establish a church in this community now.” was declared by 75 people gathered in the Ingleside Community Clubhouse.  Read about how God has used Ingleside through the years.

When sixteen people gathered in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Newton on Thursday evening October 4, 1951, to consider the possibility of starting a new church in the Ingleside area of north Macon, no one was quite sure what the result would be. In fact, one person present was reported to have said: “Frankly, my friends, I don’t know if there is a real need for a church in this community or not but I’m willing to be shown.”

In the days that followed, however, the need became clear, the vision began to crystallize, and interest in this new work spread throughout the community. Indeed, on Monday, October 29, seventy-five people gathered in the Ingleside Community Clubhouse and unanimously declared: “We definitely feel the Lord leading us to establish a church in this community now.”

With this strong conviction under girding their efforts, rapid progress was made toward officially constituting the church. Thus, on Charter Day, December 23, 1951, Ingleside Baptist Church was formally constituted with 203 charter members.

Almost immediately, this new fellowship of believers recognized their need for a more permanent place to meet. So, on February 13, 1952, the church voted to secure 9.27 acres of land on Wimbish Road. Then, on June 1 of the same year, groundbreaking services were held for the new sanctuary. It cost $178,000 and was formally dedicated on June 7, 1953.

By the end of the Church year in 1958, Ingleside had grown to a robust 703 members and as one Church historian put it, “the need for physical expansion was painfully apparent.” Therefore, on December 14, 1958 “the decision was made to begin immediately a $325,000 expansion program including construction of a three-story educational building and all furnishings and equipment, plus a large circular drive and a paved parking area.” The ground breaking ceremony was held on January 25 of the following year, and the building was formally dedicated on January 17, 1960.

Ours is a great heritage. Because of the vision, faith, and sacrifice of those who have gone before us, many have come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and we are blessed today. Now the torch has been passed to us. It is time for us to expand our vision, deepen our faith, and make genuine sacrifices so that the lost and unchurched of our community may know Christ and so that those who come behind us will know the same blessings that we have enjoyed.

The 1950s
Did you know…

That Ingleside was born on October 4, 1951, in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Newton, Sr. at 3360 Ridge Avenue.
That the first Sunday service was held in the Ingleside Community Clubhouse on November 11 , 1951.
That by Charter Day, December 23, 1951, 203 people had signed the Charter Member Roll and the church was officially constituted that day.
That the decision to locate the church on 9.27 acres at 834 Wimbish Road was made on February 13, 1952. The first building, the Worship Center we are in today, was constructed at a cost of $178,000, and was formally dedicated on June 7, 1953. The last payment on the building and property was made on September 8, 1958.
That groundbreaking for the second building, now our older Educational Building, was on January 25, 1959.
The Pastors

Dr. J. Ellis Sammons, who had retired after 17 years as pastor of Vineville Baptist Church, was the first pastor and served during the formative period of December 1951 to July 1952.
Rev. James W. Windham, who served from June 1952 until August 1954, was the second pastor. He came to Ingleside from and returned to the same church in Maryville, Tennessee.
Dr. Alvin H. Brackett, Jr., the third pastor, came to Ingleside from Sylvan Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta in May 1955. His ministry at Ingleside would span more than two decades, ending in 1978.
The Deacon Chairmen

1952 – Ralph G. Newton, Sr.
1953 – C. R. Rader
1954 – Hamilton Holt
1955 – T. Lynn Davis, Jr.
1956 – W. O. McNair
1957 – J. Joe Sutherland
1958 – W. Earl Lewis
1959 – Ernest W. Rackley
The 1960s
Did you know…

That Ingleside’s second building, now our older Educational Building, was formally dedicated on January 179 1960. This expansion also included a large circular drive and a paved parking lot.
That on Mother’s Day, 1961, Ingleside had its first Dedication Service for new babies and their parents.
That on March 13, 1963, “spiritual blessings” were conferred on a group of lnglesiders who departed to begin Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church.
That in April 1968, the “Children’s Chapel” was begun, sponsored by the Kate Davis Sunday School Class. This “children’s church” proved to be a great blessing to the younger children and their families.
The Pastor
Dr. Alvin H. Brackett, Jr., who had begun his ministry at Ingleside in May 1955, continued to serve throughout the 1960s. In fact, his ministry at Ingleside would span more than two decades, ending in 1978.

The Deacon Chairmen

1960 – Kenneth E. Carswell
1961 – Marvin E. Mitchiner
1962 – J. B. Mathews
1963 – Ralph G. Newton, Jr.
1964 – J. Rene Hawkins
1965 – James L. Rollins, Sr.
1966 – George W. Patton
1967 – Travis L. Lynch
1968 – Arthur D. Brook
1969 – Neal G. Baldschun
The 1970s
Did you know…

That in November 1971, Ingleside hosted a Lay Institute for Evangelism facilitated by Campus Crusade for Christ and attended by more than 500 people from many denominations across the city.
That it was on September 15, 1974, that the Moller pipe organ was formally dedicated. The pipe organ was made possible by a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Rader in memory of their son, Logan Carson. Installation of the organ was part of a larger renovation of the entire Worship Center which included new HVAC systems, a new sound system, and new paint inside and out.
In 1975, Ingleside led the way in a community-wide evangelistic effort called “Reachout,” at the Macon Coliseum. Dr. Ralph Newton, Jr., was the Crusade Chairman, and the preaching was done by evangelist Leighton Ford of Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Pastors

Dr. Alvin H. Brackett, Jr., who had begun his ministry at Ingleside in May 1955, resigned on July 1, 1978. His last Sunday in the pulpit was July 30, 1978.
Dr. Robert G. Johns, the fourth pastor of our church, began his ministry here in July 1979. Dr. Johns had previously served at the First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst, Georgia.
The Deacon Chairmen

1970 – M. DuQuince Davis
1971 – M. DuQuince Davis
1972 – Harold D. Hayes
1973 – Julian H. Bateman
1974 – J. D. Anderson
1975 – Fred B. Wilson., Sr.
1976 – Fred B. Wilson, Sr.
1977 – Stanley Howells
1978 – Stanley Howells
1979 – Ralph Newton, Jr
The 1980s
Did you know…

That it was on May 25, 1980, that the footbridge which connects the two main parking areas was dedicated?
That because of increased attendance, on June 1, 1980 a second Sunday morning worship service (in addition to the 11: 00 a. m. service) was added at 8:30 a. m. ?
That in the fall of 1981, the walls were knocked out of the Worship Center, and the Chapel and classrooms in the wings were converted to additional seating?
That in 1986 the Church launched a capital fundraising campaign called, “For Such A Time As This,” to raise funds for the construction of a new building?
The Pastors

Dr. Robert G. Johns, who began his ministry at Ingleside in July 1979, concluded his ministry on Sunday, April 17, 1988, to become the pastor of First Baptist Church of Canton, Georgia.
Dr. E. C. Sheehan, served as Interim Pastor from June 1988 through August 1989. Among previous pastorates were Mikado Baptist Church in Macon and Salem Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Dr. Timothy A. McCoy, Ingleside’s fifth pastor, began his ministry on September 4, 1989, and continues to serve in that capacity today.
The Deacon Chairmen

1980 – Ralph Newton
1981 – Ralph Newton
1982 – Jerry Rogers
1983 – Dean Terrell
1984 – Benton Gunter
1985 – Harvey Blalock/John Carey
1986 – Ralph Newton
1987 – Harvey Blalock
1988 – Stanley Howells
1989 – Stanley Howells
The 1990s
Did you know…

That we began Dual Sunday Schools (9:00 & 10:30 a.m.) on Sunday, October 7,1990. Prior to 1990, annual average Bible study attendance had never exceeded 610. In August 1999, we averaged 1,018 people in Bible study.
That in January thru March 1992, our church began a “”By His Grace,, For His Glory” capital fundraising campaign that resulted in gifts beyond regular tithes and offerings of $2.5 million from 1992-1996.
That our Fellowship Hall and Kitchen were expanded, updated, and dedicated on April 12,19929 at a cost of $327,774.
That on June 5, 1994, our new three-story, 48,000 sq. ft. Preschool and Children’s Building and Family Life Center was dedicated. Total cost of the project was almost $4 million. The project was paid for in its entirety by June 2. 1996.
That our Worship Center was completely repaired and renovated in the summer of 1997 with worship resuming on September 7, 1997.
That our Church adopted a new Constitution and Bylaws on July 26, 1998.
The Pastor
Dr. Timothy A. McCoy, Ingleside’s fifth pastor, began his ministry on September 4, 1989, and continues to serve in that capacity today.

The Deacon/Overseer Chairmen

1990 – Brad Wilson
1991 – Brad Wilson
1992 – John Story
1993 – John Story
1994 – John O’Neal
1995 – Glenn Smith
1996 – Randy Wright
1997 – Phil Rabun
1998 – Wade McCurry
1999 – Wade McCurry

for more info visit them online at www.ingleside.org