Our History

Our God is faithful and sovereign; these truths are clearly seen in the 100 year history of First Baptist Church of Lake Orion. The following is the story of a small church that was guided by a good and holy God.

 

Psalm 145:3-7 "Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise. His greatness is beyond discovery! Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts! I will meditate on Your majestic, glorious splendor and Your wonderful miracles! Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim Your greatness. Everyone will share the story of Your wonderful goodness. They will sing with joy of Your righteousness.

The Early Years -- 1904-1941

This story of God's wonderful goodness begins at the Orion Town Hall on October 30th, 1904. Here a small group of Baptists gathered together as a body. Under the leadership of Reverend Francis B. Cutler, who was the current pastor of the Oxford Baptist Church, the assembly met together. Even before the following Sunday, God's working was clearly seen. The Congregational Church in Lake Orion offered their unused building to the Baptists. Now, they no longer had to meet in a city building, but had a church where they could worship the Lord.

On June 5, 1905, this small group officially organized themselves as the Orion Baptist Church. Reverend Cutler guided them through those formative years with the help of several visiting pastors as well as an interim pastor (G.V. Pixley). Then, in 1912, he resigned from Oxford to become the first full-time pastor at Orion Baptist Church. Pastor Cutler continued to lead until 1930, except for a brief period. It was poor health that eventually forced Pastor Cutler to retire.

God's blessing was evident during those years, but one of the greatest examples of His sovereignty and goodness took place in 1921. The Congregationalists deeded the church building to Orion Baptist for the unbelievable price of $1! The one stipulation was that the building would be used for church services only. Praise the Lord for His wonderful goodness to us in those early years!

In the years following that great purchase, it seems the congregation was without a pastor for a while. But a dear lay preacher, Mr. Warren, commuted from Detroit every Sunday to deliver messages for both services. Then, in 1934, Dr. J.J. Kett was called to the pastorate and he led the congregation after those tough depression years until early 1941 when he resigned. Those years were not without struggle. The church grew slowly and the collections were meager, but thank the Lord, He met the needs of that little church and the bills were paid and the people were blessed.

Growing in Tough Circumstances -- 1941-1951

In March of 1941, Reverend Delore Doebler became the pastor. The Lord blessed abundantly by providing the church's very first Sunday School bus for $250. But sometimes, along with obvious blessings, God allows some difficult events to occur. This was one such time.... There were some misunderstandings amongst the people of the church, and in October of 1942 Rev Doebler's pastorate was terminated. He, along with several other church members, began a new congregation nearby called Emmanuel Baptist Church. Through this tough time, however, God was still accomplishing His plan.

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…."

The original church was now officially called First Baptist and God preserved good Christian people in both congregations to keep each ministry alive. He prepared and sent the right shepherds to guide each of them. Led by their pastor, Maurice Horn, and his devoted wife, Emmanuel Baptist went on to build their own small church building.

So the Lord did indeed bless Emmanuel Baptist, but the story of the original Orion Baptist Church is just as good. In 1942, God sent a young man, Pastor Milton Walton. He loved the Lord and His people, and he helped to heal the hurt that the rift had caused. The church began to grow and prosper. Reverend Walton began the first Boy Scout troop in Lake Orion, which assisted in the growth of the church by adding youth and their families. It was a bittersweet moment in December of 1944 when Reverend Walton answered a call to missions. He and his family left the church to serve the Lord in Haiti.

Reverend Earl Cook became pastor in 1945. During his ministry, a basement, baptistery and a choir loft were added to the building to accommodate the growing congregation and Sunday school. During his tenure with, the church purchased its first parsonage and church organ. In 1951, Rev Cook left for retirement. During the pastorates of Cook and Walton, many people became a part of the dynamic group of First Baptist church. Many of these families are still loyal to the church, and still serving. Those in our congregation today enjoy the blessings of the hard work of the saints that have gone on before.

Growing Together -- 1951-1970

In September of 1951 Rev Walter Ballagh came to First Baptist. This was yet another period of growth that God allowed for this body of believers. Folks were getting saved and the membership kept growing. God was just getting started!

In 1953 Reverend Horn, of Emmanuel Baptist, was called to a new ministry in Lyons, Michigan. God had protected both congregations (Emmanuel Baptist and First Baptist) and had kept them close to one another in many ways. The buildings were just a mile apart and the hearts even closer. Before leaving for his new ministry, Pastor Horn encouraged his folks to reunite with First Baptist, instead of calling another pastor. The stories of how quickly and smoothly the reunion took place are thrilling. New deacon and trustee boards were formed and Pastor Ballagh led them on without missing a beat. This was a time of excitement and growth.

Pastor Ballagh's ten-year ministry at First Baptist came to an end when he received that call to become the pastor of a church in Farmington. But the Lord had already prepared Pastor C. Frank Mills to take the reigns. So in 1961, God guided these changes and the results continued to be just what was needed. Since their was a need for more parking, more Sunday school rooms, and a sanctuary, a house next to the church was purchased to provide the required space.

Present Blessing -- 1971-present

First Baptist Church purchased 8 acres of land on Scripps Road and ground was broken for a new building in April of 1971. The first service in the new building was held on Sunday, September 3rd, 1972. The former property and parsonage were sold, and a new parsonage was purchased near the new church. This new building was a delight to all, providing needed classrooms, parking, activity rooms and even a nursery school.

On October 15, 1978, Pastor Mills was called home to be with the Lord and the assistant pastor, James Wells, faithfully served the Lord as the interim pastor.

From July 1, 1979 to June 8, 1997, Pastor George Stiekes served the Lord as our faithful leader. Pastor Michael Hooks served as associate pastor from 1980 to 1993.

During Pastor Stiekes' tenure, the Lord continued to grow the church and the pinch of tight quarters was again felt, with Sunday school classes meeting in hallways and baptismal changing rooms. The need for additional room had to be explored. A building committee was chosen and soon a gymnasium and additional classroom space was constructed. This addition was named The Christian Life Center and was completed and dedicated on May 20, 1990. In 1996 Pastor Stiekes resigned his position to be effective in June 1997, giving the church time to find a new shepherd.

Between June and September, faithful servants from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary filled our pulpit, while the pulpit committee searched and prayed for a new shepherd. On September 14, 1997, the First Baptist Church of Lake Orion extended a call to Pastor Juan M. Moreno. This call was accepted and he and his family began their service on October 12, 1997. He continues to pastor the church family.

Thanksgiving

We thank God for allowing us all to be vessels for His work. We will share the story of His wonderful goodness. We must meditate on His majestic, glorious splendor and His wonderful miracles. His awe-inspiring deeds will ever be on our tongue. We cannot help but proclaim His greatness!