Women On Mission - September 2023
A Blast From the Past
In a 2018 conversation with the late Martha Boultinghouse and her daughter Bonnie Beckham, they shared memories of the early days of Oakhill. Their family had attended the Rescue Mission downtown for a number of years when Maurice noted that they passed a Baptist Church every Sunday on their way into town. He thought they could attend a church closer to home that would provide more for their children. In 1961, they began attending Oakhill. Cindy was 9, Bonnie was 8, and Judy was 7. Penny was born in 1963.
Oakhill met in a 3 car garage and small residence at the present location. When they moved into a new building in 1965, Martha helped organize the nursery and kitchen. They had to start from scratch as far as furnishings were concerned. Not a lot of money was available to them. Dishes were purchased from a dime store at Lawndale (Kresge or Woolworth). The ladies chipped in to make the purchase. Economy Market had a deal giving silverware when you purchased groceries. Port-a-cribs were bought for $10.00 each. Martha served in the nursery from 1964 to 1979. Bonnie served since she was in her 20’s until 2022. Her husband Larry worked with her. Martha recalled that in the early days, the members took turns cleaning the church. Nothing was hired out that could be done by members or the pastor. Rev Bill Carter did the weekly bulletin, cleaned snowy drives and walks, mowed grass, whatever needed to be done.
When the church voted to build, the Boultinghouse family was 1 of 7 who put their homes up as collateral. We are blessed to have charter member Bonnie Beckham still at Oakhill. We appreciate the Boultinghouse’s years of service and faithfulness. They have touched and continue to touch many lives.
Women on Mission will meet Thursday, September 7th at 1:00 pm in the Grace classroom.
All ladies are invited to be with us.