New Liberty Church History

On December 15, 1955, a band of baptized believers met for the purpose of organizing a Missionary Baptist Church in Garland, Texas. The name "New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church" was adopted. New Liberty would cooperate with the Central Texas Missionary Baptist Association (local), Missionary Baptist Association (state), and the American Baptist Association (national and international). Thirty-four individuals were present, twenty-seven of whom were charter members.

 

The seven other individuals present were: Brother George Crawford of Arlington Baptist Church and a teacher at the Texas Baptist Institute in Henderson, Texas, who brought the message; Brethren W. H. Bradbury, of Immett, Texas, R. E. Rodgers, state missionary, G. W. Mearse, of Grand Prairie Baptist Church, and O. C. Moore, of Missionary Baptist Church, in Dallas.

New Liberty has had only three senior pastors. Doyle Baker served as pastor from December, 1955 until July, 1957. Bill Nalls served as pastor from July, 1957 until April, 1958. On July 12, 1958, Ken Ashlock came to New Liberty to preach "in view of a call". On July 15, 1958, the church voted to call Brother Ken Ashlock to be their pastor. Salary was to be $40.00 per week. Brother Ken began his pastorate on August 17, 1958 and continues to serve as senior pastor today.

The growth of New Liberty has been continual. The twenty-seven charter membership has grown to a current church roll of approximately 1900.

In 1956, New Liberty purchased a lot on Centerville Road with a single story building already erected on the property. This location was in a rural area of Garland. In 1957, a second story was added to the building. In 1961, New Liberty constructed a forty foot by eighty foot auditorium. In December, 1967, groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted for a new Sanctuary. That same evening, New Liberty was robbed at gunpoint during the service. The robbers were apprehended by church members and no one was injured. The pew with a bullet hole is still in our balcony to this day.

More land was purchased and more buildings erected through the years.

In October, 1977, Brad Rountree was called as Music Director on a part-time basis. In June, 1979, Donald Dennis was called on a part-time basis as Youth Minister. In June, 1980, Brad and Donald began working on a full-time basis.

The first Men's Brotherhood and Ladies Auxiliary were organized March 3, 1959.

The first Vacation Bible School began on June 1, 1959. The first night Vacation Bible School began in June, 1981.

The first parsonage was purchased on December 3, 1961. May 4, 1977, New Liberty deeded the parsonage to Ken and Linda Ashlock in recognition of their 19 years of service with the church.

The first Girl's Auxiliary was organized February 3, 1962. The first Boy's Brotherhood was organized October 3, 1962.

A church library was begun on October 3, 1962.

The first Christian Education Committee was begun April, 1970.

New Liberty voted to hire a part-time secretary (minimum of 12 hours per week) at a salary of $2.00 an hour on April 4, 1970.

Our first paid choir director/youth director was Leland Davis (approved January 9, 1972).

Our first Children's Chapel Director was Wanda Doak (approved December, 1973).

Our first Assistant to the Pastor was Bryant DeBord (December, 1975).

First 8:30 a.m. Sunday service was held in September, 1986.

Our first Financial Planning Committee was established February 17, 1988.

Our first Christian Education Director was Paul Cleveland, Jr. (May, 1994).

In August, 2001, Donald Dennis, Youth Minister for 22 years, resigned to accept a pastorate at a church in Arkansas.

In April, 2002, Mark Kuykendall became our Youth Minister.

August 18, 2002, we celebrated the 44th anniversary of Bro. Ken and Sis. Linda as our pastor and wife. It was the first anniversary that Linda Ashlock ever missed.

August 25, 2002, Linda Ashlock passed away after a brave 19 year battle with brain tumors. She finally won the battle. We will miss her but rejoice that she is now with her Lord Jesus Christ.