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Twin Orchards Baptist Church History |
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HISTORY OF TWIN ORCHARDS BAPTIST CHURCH
Where there were once two big apple orchards called “Twin Orchards Farms,” developers sold lots, made streets, and built inexpensive houses. This resulted in a new community being formed which was named after the farm in 1924. In 1929 Twin Orchards was still a new settlement with no church, so Rev. Benjamin Coleman gathered together a few of the residents and held prayer meetings in homes. Later, the prayer meeting moved to small building he owned called “the chapel” at the corner of Maple and King Streets. A year later, Alfred Colwell and other Practical Bible Training School students began holding Sunday School classes in the chapel. In 1932 Mr. Colwell graduated and became the first pastor of that group.
The church was organized as the Twin Orchards Community Church with 38 members in 1935. They bought a lot on the west side of Maple Street where the men of the church and some Practical Bible College students erected a building. Between 1944-1960, the leadership of the church changed numerous times; and because of differing philosophical and theological beliefs, the name changed to Twin Orchards Baptist, then back to Twin Orchards Community, and in 1960 back to Twin Orchards Baptist Church.
In 1964 the church began building a new facility on the corner of Maple Street and Vestal Road. Then, in May of 1965, they held their first services in the new building and dismantled the old building to use the land as a parking lot.
Shortly after arriving at TOBC in 1967, Pastor Blasko presented his goals for the coming year–to have 125 in Sunday School, receive $18,000 in offerings, to equip Christian homes and families, to show a burden for missions. His focus was on equipping people in the word, and that the church would be alert to spiritual things. Pastor Blasko emphasized holiness, the spirit of unity, every member being a missionary, an effective teen program, and friendliness of people. In 1980, Pastor Blasko asked the church people to describe TOBC in one word; some responded with the following: friendly, Biblical, refreshing, loving, helpful, singing, teaching, moderate, evangelistic, practicing.
Because of increased attendance, the church began two morning services in December of 1983. In the meantime, Pastor Blasko was on the lookout for suitable property; and his eye was on a vacant corner property on Gates Road and Old Vestal Road, which the church bought in November of 1985. We have been in our present building at this location since May of 1992.
Pastor Blasko retired in 2004 after 38 years as pastor, and in June of 2006 the church installed Pastor Kyle Kaurin. Pastor Kyle has led the church in new ways since arriving. Some of them are: starting year-round small groups, establishing the Church’s vision statement and focus, updating the constitution, and holding biannual elders' retreats. Our future goals are to make an impact on the greater Binghamton area by leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We hope to accomplish this is by creating environments that encourage and equip people to pursue three vital relationships: (1) Intimacy with God, (2) Community with believers in Christ, and (3) Influence with those outside the faith.
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PASTORS
1929–Benjamin Coleman (organizer)
1932–Alfred Colwell
1933–Frank Young
1936–Andrew Marstellar
1940--Ross Gearhart
1944--Sherman Lewis (interim)
1945--John Struthers
1955--William Weeks
1960–Glenn Dick (interim)
1960–Claude Kummerer
1967–Dr. Paul Blasko
2004–Dr. Lee Kliewer (interim)
2006–present--Kyle Kaurin
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YOUTH PASTORS
1978–Timothy Dodd
1990–Dan Snyder
1992–Glenn Lozier
1995--Jon Sorber
1997–Phil Nelson
1998–present--Joe and Deb Underwood |
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ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PASTORS
1985–Timothy Oakleaf
1987–Robert Drewry
1994–present--Timothy Dodd
1999-2000–Alex Vosburg (intern)
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