Our History

Since



1850

Our History

Waldo Baptist Church began in the year 1850 in a location then known as Sycamore Plains, in Pope County, Illinois. Today this is part of the Shawnee National Forest with the only remaining reminders of the Church’s location being the tombstones which marked the graves of the cemetery outside the church. Since that time it held its meetings in a school house, and a Masonic Lodge building which was located across the road from the present location.

In 1977, Waldo Baptist Church voted to build a new sanctuary building at the present location. This building was completed in December of that year and the first service was held on that Christmas Sunday. Since then, God has blessed us with two other buildings, a Family Life Center with commercial kitchen, classrooms, gymnasium, and a youth building used for youth worship and Bible study. We have also added property and an outside pavilion with playground equipment for our children. Because of the grace and goodness of a Mighty God and the faithful service of many wonderful members we stand today as the largest county church in Massac County with modern facilities.

A TIMELINE OF God’s Faithulness

1850

The Church Begins

1850 – Waldo Missionary Baptist Church is organized five miles northeast of what is now Waldoon a hill north of Mill Springs in Pope Co. IL. The church was then known as Sycamore Plains.

Membership scattered and the few remaining members relocated in a log structure between Minder Corner and the Burlington Bottoms. Due to rising water at times in the stream, they moved to Shadrock School located two & half miles northwest of the present Waldo.

1883

A New Location

1883 – The Masonic order moved its building from Tindall Valley (Buzzard Roost & Mt. Olive) to a site across the road from the present church. Waldo church worshipped in the first story of the log structure.

1889

New Ground

1889 – Bob Henderson gives the church new ground to build on and Mr. & Mrs. Sam Burlington gives addtional ground to the west of the church.

1911…

Lots of change

1911…Church members vote to build a belfry and repairs to the building. Under Pastor James Pepper a basement with classrooms and recreation room is constructed. Pastor Roosevelt Denson oversees the additon of a baptistry, restrooms, and Sunday School rooms. John Douglas & Hobart Henderson donate ground for a parsonage where SeeSash School once stood.

1973

Full Time

1973 – Rev. Horry Dungan becomes the first full-time pastor.

1976

New Land Purchased

1976 – Pastor Ralph Cooper leads the church in the acquistion of 3 & 1/4 acres of land across the road from Albert Loverkamp for construction of a new brick building.

1977

Construction Begins

1977 – Pastor Jack D. Russell leads the church in approving Peck Associates to design a new church building. On December 25th of the same year, the first worship service in the new building (current church building) which contains over 9,000 sq. ft.

1978

First Youth Pastor

1978 – Jackie Thompson becomes Waldo’s first youth pastor.

1988

Families in focus

1988 – The church votes to buy additional land south of the church and later that year plans are approved to begin construction of a Family Life Center. The original land was owened by Lloyd Loverkamp.

2001

New Youth Building

2001 – Waldo acquires a 64′ x 25′ modular building from Massac Unit One School District. The building contains one large room, a small office, kitchen, and bathrooms. The building is transferred to Waldo and is dedicated for youth ministry. This same year sees the purchase of three additional acres (from Lloyd Loverkamp) west of the current church location and new personnel offices constructed in the old fellowship hall.

2007

Picnic Pavilion

2007 – The church approves the construction of a picnic pavilion on the east side of the church property. The pavilion is constructed by Heath Building Material Inc. out of Mayfield Ky. and is 24′ x 50′. Two playground sets are also added.

2011

Waldo Calls Sr. Pastor Trad York

2011 – After thirty-four years of faithful ministry, Sr. Pastor Jack Russell retires (still currently working with Senior Adults part-time) and Trad York takes over as Sr. Pastor.

2024

Waldo Calls Sr. Pastor Nathaniel Martin

2024 – Sr. Pastor Trad York announces his retirement at the beginning of the year and in October of 2024, Bro. Nathaniel Martin takes over as Sr. Pastor.