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A legacy of faith and perseverance

Cottonwood’s journey from a small gathering of faithful believers to a thriving community of faith underscores a legacy of perseverance, prayer, and dedication to God’s call.

But, Cottonwood is not the kingdom we want to build, nor the main story. Any blessing we receive individually, or as the Church, comes from Him. All glory and all honor must go to God: to the One from whom all blessing flows. May He continue to use Cottonwood to build His kingdom until He comes again in glory!

Shaffer Lily and Donie Shaffer on the steps of the old Cottonwood Church

Stroud Sisters

Pastor Mike Fritscher and his family in the late 1980’s

Over 115 years of faith

God has always known how He would use this church to impact countless lives, both locally and globally. Yet, it’s crucial to remember our legacy stems from the 46 faithful charter members and six teenage girls who, through their unwavering faith, kept the church’s doors open.

They continued to wait, pray, and believe, unaware that God was already at work. This steadfastness in prayer, waiting, watching, and believing forms the essence of Cottonwood’s legacy.

1908
The early years: Foundation and growth
Nestled three miles east of Dublin, the small farming community of Cottonwood was established, laying the groundwork for a congregation. On February 23, 1908, Cottonwood Missionary Baptist Church was organized with 46 charter members, meeting in a one-room building that also served as the community school.

In March 1908, Lee Gilbreath became the first part-time pastor, serving the budding congregation for two years.
1908
1929
Challenges and perseverance
The Cottonwood community, comprising various denominations, met together, sharing the one-room space for their Sunday sermons, fostering a unique bond among the different faiths.

In 1928, following the consolidation of the Cottonwood school with Dublin public schools, the community faced dwindling numbers, testing the congregation's resilience.

By the 1950s, with no pastor and a congregation reduced to six teenage girls and their two friends, the church's future hung in the balance, yet their faith never wavered.
1929
1957
Revival and growth
In September 1957, the appointment of Brother Lloyd Richardson as the first full-time pastor marked the beginning of a new era for Cottonwood Baptist Church.

One and a half years later, on February 23, 1959 at the 51st anniversary of the organization of the church, Bro. Richardson and Mrs. P.E.T. Culver, Cottonwood’s last surviving charter member, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the new church building, which we now call the chapel.
1957
1967
Expansion and modernization
The wing on the west side of the chapel was built first, and church services were held there, while the old one-room schoolhouse was torn down and a new chapel built. In 1967, a 30’x30’ addition was built onto the back of the chapel, which contained the fellowship hall, a kitchen, two restrooms, and two Sunday School rooms.
1967
1985
Praying for hungry families
On January 6, 1985, ushering in the 77th year of the church, God called Cottonwood's 30th pastor, Mike Fritscher, to pastor its small congregation.

He once said of the few dozen people who attended at the time, “I am not so much interested in growth in numbers as in the spiritual growth of the people who are here. Then God can work in us to accomplish his purpose.”

The church refocused, wanting God’s Word to be taught, God’s glory to be made known, and for Cottonwood to be a church that loved each other no matter how many or how few. Hungry families were prayed for and God honored that prayer, and continues to do so to this today.
1985
2001
Adding a global focus
[Unsure of date. We need to add the transformational time at Cottonwood when we were called, and answered the call, to reach unreached people groups.]
2001
2011
Building for the future
Continuing with Cottonwood leadership’s commitment to be debt-free, in 2010, God provided a large donation for the construction of a new building.

This allowed for a 600 seat Worship Center to be completed in 2011. Stroud Hall was named to honor of the Stroud Sisters, who were instrumental in keeping the doors of Cottonwood open so many years before. In fact, Fannie Stroud Chambers served as Cottonwood's worship leader for nearly six decades, and afterwards served on its praise team, until her passing in 2018.
2011
2024
Cottonwood's vision and hope
Cottonwood's journey from a small gathering of faithful believers to a thriving community of faith underscores a legacy of perseverance, prayer, and dedication to God's call.

As we look to the future, our mission remains unchanged: to be a place where everyone can encounter God's transformative love and power, contributing to His kingdom until He returns in glory.
2024