The History of Gateway
The church started as Hard Shell Baptist, changed to First Church of God, Carnes Crossroads Church of God, Carnes Crossroads Baptist, and nowGateway Community Church. The church has built three sanctuary buildings. The Annie Broad Fellowship Hall was dedicated in November of 1983 and the currentsanctuary was built and dedicated in February of 1989. Sixteen men of God have served in the congregation as Pastors over the estimated eighty-seven years.
We dedicate this history page to the Pastors that have served, former Pastor Sidney Crawford, the Varner family for land donation, and to the memoriesof Sister Gracie Bugauison and Sister Anna Belle Clark who were our oldest known attendees.
Sister Gracie V. Bugauison our late senior member was ordained as Deaconess Emeritus in December 2004 to commemorate her over sixty years of service to the church. Sister Gracie attended the first church, taught Sunday school, started the youth group, raised money for the church building fund, set up the firstbank account, organized the Benevolence Society, and provided service in many other areas.
In early 2008 we made a successful offer to purchase the last tract of the original Varner land owned by the heirs of Sister Helen Varner. The additionof the last Varner tract greatly enhanced the road frontage, visibility, and accessibility for the church. The property included an established oak hammock that affordsthe church with a great picnic area. It is believed that we now own the exact property that the old original one-room frame clapboard church had been located.
Over the last several years one of Gateway's ministries has been to feed the hungry in the local community with Gateway Open Arms, and established 501c (3) non-profit organization known as Hunger Helpers. The program serves hundreds of families. We have placed three donated metal buildings on the acquired Varner tract to house the Hunger Helpers operation. This property continues the legacy and history of feeding the community "One family at a time."
It is our prayer that Gateway Community Church and Gateway Open Arms will continue to reach our to the community by being the "Hands and Feet ofChrist!"
We dedicate this history page to the Pastors that have served, former Pastor Sidney Crawford, the Varner family for land donation, and to the memoriesof Sister Gracie Bugauison and Sister Anna Belle Clark who were our oldest known attendees.
Sister Gracie V. Bugauison our late senior member was ordained as Deaconess Emeritus in December 2004 to commemorate her over sixty years of service to the church. Sister Gracie attended the first church, taught Sunday school, started the youth group, raised money for the church building fund, set up the firstbank account, organized the Benevolence Society, and provided service in many other areas.
In early 2008 we made a successful offer to purchase the last tract of the original Varner land owned by the heirs of Sister Helen Varner. The additionof the last Varner tract greatly enhanced the road frontage, visibility, and accessibility for the church. The property included an established oak hammock that affordsthe church with a great picnic area. It is believed that we now own the exact property that the old original one-room frame clapboard church had been located.
Over the last several years one of Gateway's ministries has been to feed the hungry in the local community with Gateway Open Arms, and established 501c (3) non-profit organization known as Hunger Helpers. The program serves hundreds of families. We have placed three donated metal buildings on the acquired Varner tract to house the Hunger Helpers operation. This property continues the legacy and history of feeding the community "One family at a time."
It is our prayer that Gateway Community Church and Gateway Open Arms will continue to reach our to the community by being the "Hands and Feet ofChrist!"