Borden Community Church History

In the spring of 1965, the small Methodist congregation in Borden found themselves in an impossible position. The District Superintendent of the Methodist Church informed them that the conference could no longer furnish them with a minister and recommended they unite with the United Brethren Church.

The Methodists of Borden had shared the Union Church in Borden with the Christian church for 50 years. The Methodists and the Christians met together in the Union Sunday school every Sunday and each had a preaching service on alternate Sundays.

When it appeared that the Methodists would have to leave the Union Church, some of the members of the Christian Church decided to go with them and form a nondenominational community Church in Borden. The name agreed upon for the new church was Borden Community Church.

The church was formed on June 6, 1965 by members of the Borden Methodist and Christian Churches. An equal number of officers between the two churches were elected: Harry Jones, Chairman; A. J. McKinley, Vice-Chairman; Homer Wilson, Treasurer; and Jean Jacobi, Secretary. Other members of the Board or Jack Jordan, Melvin Jacobi, John Hill, Charles Smith, Harold Smith, Eddie Smith, Mason Thomas, Fred Wolf, and Kermit Schleicher. The constitution and bylaws were written by A. J. McKinley and Harry A. Jones and approved by the board.

The original ritual and order of worship in the new church were a blend between the two merged traditions. Rev. Eddie Sears, a former Baptist, was chosen to be in the churches first pastor.

After meeting in the Borden High School cafeteria and in the home of Rev. Eddie Sears, which was the old Dr. Stalker Hospital, the congregation purchased 2.5 acres of land on State Road 60, one mile east of Borden for the construction of their church building. A ground breaking ceremony took place April 10, 1966, on Easter Sunday, and construction began on May 23, 1966. After a full summer of volunteer activity, with practically every able-bodied man and woman in the church helping, the church was completed and a dedication service was held Sunday, November 27, 1966. With the continued numerical and financial growth of the church, a personage was constructed in 1966 and an activity building in 1976.

The following pastors have served the Borden Community Church:

• Rev. Eddie Sears: 1965-1996
• Rev. Gary Collins: 1997-1999
• Rev. Philip Bradshaw: 1999-2002
• Rev. Ralph I. Tilley: 2002-2007
• Rev. John Beasley: 2007-