Allen Image

by Tom Keener

Allen Baptist Church celebrated its golden anniversary on October 12, 1928, and The McKinney Examiner commemorated the event with a banner headline story. Despite this accomplishment, the church soon faced daunting challenges. One year later, the stock market crashed and the Great Depression ensued. Prices for cotton and corn, major staples of Allen’s economy, plummeted. Many families simply left their farms to pursue employment in Dallas.

In 1932, Milton Greer became half-time pastor of Allen Baptist Church, sharing pastoral duties with Princeton Baptist. Due to lack of funds, churches often shared pastors during the Depression. A graduate of Burleson College in Greenville and Southwest Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth, "Brother Greer" was more than a preacher though. He is fondly remembered as the "Pastor’s Pastor." His son Charles Greer said, "My father married and buried three generations of Allen Baptist members, including the Curtis family. Long after departing from Allen, people summoned Dad for funerals and weddings." The huge number of requests made during times of joy and sorrow indicate a deep affection for Milton Greer.

Charles further states, "Dad’s number one gift was listening. He was a friend to all. Church members counseled with him regarding personal or financial problems. He helped families identify options and alternatives, but above all, he was encouraging and inspiring, giving assurance there was light at the end of the tunnel. He even went on bank notes to help people, and he counseled women only in the presence of his wife."

Doyle Morrow concurs, "Brother Greer officiated services at our funeral home for Allen citizens until he was in his nineties. He gave families comfort and nurturing during their times of grief. For each person, he customized eulogies. When my father (Beamon) died, he recalled his kindness, honesty and clean life."

Marjorie Ingram Young recalls, "Brother Greer married my husband and I at his house while his wife served as a witness. Brother Greer delivered eulogies for my baby, aunt, and mother, all within six months. Years later, he said giving the sermon for my little girl was one of the saddest and most challenging sermons that he ever gave. He helped people regardless whether they attended his church."

Summing up his father’s life, Charles Greer notes, "Every Christmas he sought donations from local merchants and citizens. Upon hearing that an Allen family did not have the means to celebrate Christmas, he quietly delivered presents the night before Christmas." In 1942, Milton Greer assumed a pastorship at Turner Memorial Baptist Church in Ft. Worth and S. D. Lindsey became Allen Baptist’s new pastor. Milton Greer and his wife Nona were major factors in helping the church and many Allen families survive the Great Depression. After Mr. Greer retired, he and his wife returned to Allen, becoming church members and joining Albert Bolin’s Sunday school class. Albert was honored to have his former pastor as a member.

The next challenge facing Allen Baptist was World War II. Many men joined the armed services, leaving empty pews, and strained budgets. Above all, the church lost two members—Charles Jeanes and Robert Cuffman—in the war. This was a huge sacrifice for a small congregation. Both are buried at the Allen Cemetery. During the war, the church purchased $1,000 bonds to help the war effort, and these bonds were designated for a new educational building. Despite adversities, in 1944, the church held its first vacation bible school. After the Japanese surrendered in 1945, soldiers returning home provided the first increase in membership in years. In 1946, the bonds were redeemed and a new educational building was constructed.

In 1950, Orvan Barnett became the first librarian, Iva Morrow was hired as the first paid nursery attendant and Harry Kong was named youth and music minister. Known for his beautiful voice, Kong, a Hawaiian American, was also popular with the youth. Although the grueling war with Japan had recently ended, some individuals expressed resentment against any person who bore a resemblance to the Japanese. Because of this, a small number of members left the church. However, Kong remained in his position and was adored by the youth.

Prosperity became evident as citizens began purchasing cars and houses and church membership grew. Although the new building was completed in 1956, space was still a premium. Ms. Madian Chumbley, widow of the late pastor Leon Chumbley, states, "We opened our home for Sunday school classes. One group met in the kitchen and another in the bedroom and another in the living room. I spent all day Saturday cleaning house for Sunday." She adds, "In 1962, the church bought the Henry Haning home. It became the new parsonage and the former parsonage was converted to Sunday school rooms." When asked about her greatest challenge as a minister’s wife, she responded, "Laying out and dressing a baby for a funeral." Ms. Chumbley indicates, "Some of the church’s proudest moments include its regular visits to nursing homes, helping the Methodist ladies provide lunches to seniors, visits to the jails and mission work in many states. I cried when Leon took a position in Arizona but upon retirement, we returned to Allen and I love it here."

In 1971, the Lynge family, grandchildren of charter members, donated land for a parsonage. In 1994, the 1956 sanctuary was destroyed by fire and was replaced with a building that stands on property in accordance with the desires of the charter members, east of the depot and in the heart of town.