Adapted from the 75th Anniversary Celebration booklet, produced in 1996
History of Univeristy Baptist Church
1945 – 1977
Dr. T. Grady Nanney was called as the tenth pastor on August 12, 1945, and served 
the longest tenure up to that time. During has pastorate, the church built Kiddie Kottage – a child day-care facility – employed Pat Fugate as full-time minister of education, did preliminary work toward the construction of a new sanctuary which was to become the fourth building project of the church, and constructed the first Falls Creek cabin.In 1951, University Baptist Church bought the property of the Golden Acres Baptist Church. The church history of Golden Acres records: “The University Baptist Church worked with the Golden Acres Mission much longer and put forth much more effort. They (University Baptist) voted that no one could be the mission pastor except a senior at OBU. Due to this action, the mission would, many times, only have a pastor September through May. Then the rest of the year was completed by whomever they would get to come and fill in.”
With Doug Williamson as mission director, the Golden Acres Baptist Mission remained a mission of University Baptist Church until it became a church on September 1, 1957.
Lorene Wagoner, long-time secretary, recalled these days in the life of University Baptist: “Among the many parts which make up the complete story of the worthwhile activities of University Baptist Church was a group called Berta K. Spooner Circle, a part of the WMU of our church. Its membership was made up largely of wives of ministerial students in OBU. Most of these families lived in what was known as Vet’s Villa or in Beacon Hill apartments. Some of the men were pastors of churches, but usually without missionary organizations. The WMU of University sponsored this circle to provide opportunity for training in WMU work for these young women. In turn, these young women provided valuable help with auxiliaries, helped in VBS and sometimes in Sunday School.”
Dr. Nanney often took men hunting, and with his gun, hound dog, and wise philosophy, did his mission work. He had a special way with children. He would ask the child to “Stick out your tongue.” After giving his diagnosis as “chewitis”, he would hand the child a nickel to buy gum. Children confided in him.
Because of the great need for child care in Shawnee and because the church needed 
adequate nursery facilities, the church built Kiddie Kottage where our playground is today. It was officially opened November 6, 1948. For a number of years, the state WMU paid Kiddie Kottage $100 per month to keep the children of ministerial families allowing their young mothers to attend classes at OBU. This nursery served until 1978.
The present sanctuary was built over a period of five years, 1953-57. During its regular business meeting of January 7, 1953. the church approved the establishment of a steering committee to make plans and recommend other committees as needed for building the sanctuary.
On the tenth anniversary of Dr. Nanney’s ministry at University Baptist Church, the church received a love offering for the purchase of an automobile. Dr. T. Grady Nanney retired in 1956 and moved to Bristow, Oklahoma, where he became chaplain for the Baptist Hospital.
Calvin C. Ussery became the eleventh pastor on February 1, 1957. He led the church to the highest Sunday School attendance in its history and to the second highest total baptisms with fifty-five in 1957. He was known for his pastoral visitation of church members.
On July 14, 1957, the cornerstone of the present sanctuary was laid. The church had borrowed $70,000 from the Federal National Bank to complete work on the sanctuary. Individual church families underwrote the note. As they signed, it was with the sacrificial intentions to refinance their homes if it became necessary.
Under Ussery, the Golden Acres Mission became a church. On January 7, 1959, the Pottawatomie-Lincoln Baptist Association moved its office from the University Baptist Church where it had been for about 14 years. Ussery resigned February 17, 1959.
John Meadows was called as the twelfth pastor April 29, 1959. Meadows resigned on July 1, 1963, to become Assistant President at OBU.
Earl Hatchett became the thirteenth pastor on November 3, 1963. He is remembered as an excellent preacher, a well-organized pastor, a great advertiser of the church, and as having a distinct interest in writing. The church established the library in June of 1965 and specified that the literature be screened for good Christian books of spiritual worth. Hatchett resigned February 28, 1967, to become pastor of the Broadway Baptist Church of Kingfisher.
Jerry Barnes became the fourteenth pastor in May 1967. During 1967 the church constructed the present Falls Creek cabin under the supervision of Elmer Freeman. On May 24, 1970, the central educational facility that presently serves the church was dedicated. Karl Kozel was chairman of this building project. This was the fifth building 
program of the church. During 1976, with extensive use of volunteer labor, the old educational building was remodeled into the nursery wing that we presently use. Johnny Cullison was chairman of this sixth and latest major building program of the church.
In 1974, fourteen members of the church were actively involved in Volunteers in Corrections, a program ministering on a personal basis to prison inmates.
In the fall of 1976, a women’s handbell choir was organized under the direction of Mary Kay Parrish.
Barnes served on the Shawnee Human Relations Council, which helped Shawnee to ease the tension of integration, and was active with the coffee house ministry.
With the church’s cooperation, Barnes completed the Doctor of Ministry degree at Vanderbuilt University. The lay leadership cared for the ministry in his absence. He resigned in December of 1977 to become pastor of the Royal Lane Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.
| 1921 – 1945 | 1945 – 1977 | 1977 – 1996 |
