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About Us - Our History
In the mid 1950’s Harmony Baptist Church saw the need of the gospel witness through a Southern Baptist Church in the 7th Street/Manslick Road area.
Harmony Baptist Mission began August 18, 1957, in the chapel of the Nichols Army Hospital Compound with twenty-two members. The membership grew to one hundred the first year at which time about one half ventured out to begin yet another mission which was to become the Arcade Baptist Church.
In 1696-70, the church authorized the construction of additional space. The Arlie Jones Annex that included a kitchen and fellowship area was dedicated on May 3, 1970.
In the mid 1970’s, Cloverleaf extended its outreach to include a weekly television program on WDRB-TV.
In 1983, a new wing of children’s classrooms was added to the annex. The new wing was built parallel to the auditorium with a spacious courtyard between the two buildings.
In 1992, the church appointed a committee to determine the feasibility of expansion. On February 13, 1994 upon recommendation of that committee, the church voted to launch a building campaign entitled “Together We Build”. This project involved additional parking, extension of the annex to enlarge the kitchen and fellowship area, along with five new classrooms, the enlargement and renovation of the sanctuary, and a new large garage. Work on this major project began in December, 1994 and was completed in November, 1995. A dedication service was held on May 19, 1996.
On January 11, 2000, the church bought the property next door at 4433 Manslick Road. The property included a 3,756 square foot single story building. During the year the building was renovated to become our kitchen, dining and fellowship hall. New kitchen appliances were also purchased. This facility, know as “Fellowship Hall”, was dedicated on October 29, 2000.
In January, 2001, the annex that included the old fellowship hall and kitchen was contracted to be converted into additional educational and office space. These facilities were dedicated on April 7, 2001.
By the end of 2001, the church was in need of more room in order to grow. In March, 2002, Cloverleaf Church launched a building and stewardship campaign called “The Nehemiah Project”. Under this program several building options were explored.
In the spring of 2004, the church purchased additional property at the end of Old Manslick Road for future use.
During the next few years, “The Nehemiah Project” encountered several legal obstacles with the design and build contractor who had drawn plans for a large building project. A different contractor was enlisted and a smaller building plan was discussed.
In April, 2006, the church voted to replace the windows in the auditorium with stained glass windows. The stained glass windows were installed in September, 2006.
On June 24, 2007, a building proposal from “The Nehemiah Project” was rejected by the congregation. However, due to the existing need for additional space and facilities, on August 5, 2007, a new building campaign and stewardship emphasis was approved to consider and recommend building options. This committee adopted the title “The Together We Grow Team”, and the stewardship theme was “Building for the KINGdom.”
On Sunday, July 12, 2009, the church approved a proposal to build an all purpose family life building that included a gymnasium, kitchen, dining area, Sunday School rooms, rest rooms, storage rooms, and walking track.
Construction for this facility began on August17, 2009, and was completed on September 27, 2010. On Sunday, October 31, 2010, a dedication service was held for the new building. It was given the name of Cloverleaf Christian Life Center, or CLC for short.
During the month of October, 2010, the old Fellowship Hall was converted into a dual purpose building. Part of it became a youth center, and part of it is still used for a small fellowship/reception and rental area.
These facts express only information. The actual story of the church is seen in the lives of its people. Cloverleaf Baptist Church has a glorious heritage. We are grateful for the investments that have been made in the Lord’s Kingdom by those who served before us, and those who have served with us in the past and present. The greatest days of Cloverleaf Baptist Church are yet to come, and to this extent, our history is still being written.
Six men have served as pastor of Cloverleaf Baptist Church: David Grimes (Mission Pastor) 1958-1960, Brooks Faulkner (Mission Pastor) 1961-1962, Rufus Moore 1964-1966, Henry Beach 1967-1979, Fred Jenkins 1979-1989, and Geoffrey Lacefield 1990-Present.
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