Our Beginning

A Short History of How Our Church Began

The late Clyde Bilbrey wanted to organize a Freewill Baptist Church in Livingston, TN.

On November 4, 1963, Bro. Bilbrey and some more Christian people met in a block building on Oak Street to organize the church.

The Rev. Oliver England, Rev. Talmadge Bowman, Rev. Olmus England, and Rev. Daily Norrod were present to proceed with business.

Rev. Oliver England was elected Moderator; Tina Johnson, Clerk; Bro. Noble Peek, Deacon; and Bro. Floyd Walker, Deacon.

The church was named Livingston Freewill Baptist Church.

An invitation was given for membership as charter members and the following were received:

Bro. Clyde Bilbrey,

Bro. Floyd Walker,

Sister Dimple Rockwell,

Sister Susie Phillips,

Sister Tina Johnson,

Bro. Noble Peek, and
Sister Ruby Peek.

Rev. Oliver England was elected our first pastor.

The Livingston Freewill Baptist Church joined the Eastern Division of the Stone Association at the next Association meeting, October, 1964.

The church bought property on a nameless dead-end street along what would become the Bradford-Hicks bypass. A portion of the old street is still intact in front of the gravel parking lot. The property the church bought had a house on it. Services were held there until they decided to remodel the house into a church.

It’s been said that Clyde Bilbrey and his son tore down a barn in Algood and used the lumber from it.

In 1974, it was decided to build the church we have now. It was built by Bro. Ward Ferrill and a crew of hired men, along with members who volunteered their time to help. Bro. Ferrill was a deacon of the church at that time. The church was built with a larger auditorium and more Sunday School rooms. The old church was sold to Arlis Holman for $2,500.

Rev. Ovle Tinch named our new church Livingston First Freewill Baptist Church because it was the first Freewill Baptist church started in Livingston.

Our membership is now approximately 218. Dimple Ledbetter has the longest standing membership of those still attending.

Bro. Darrek Copeland, came to us as Assistant Pastor in 2002. He became our Pastor in 2006. He was Pastor from 2006 thru 2014 and returned in 2021.