A BRIEF HISTORY
The West Milton church of Christ had its beginning in 1959 and its first assembly was in the home of John Payne. Raymond Buchanan delivered the sermon and was the first preacher for the congregation. The first Sunday’s collection was $80.00. Those in attendance were Raymond, Francis, and Raymond Jr. Buchanan, Carolyn Buchanan, Myrtle Buchanan, June Gilbert, Mack Williams, Wynell Williams and Lottie Padgett.
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In the latter part of 1959, the church moved to The West Milton Heights area on the south side of Highway 90. Four years later, in October of 1963, a new brick facility was completed in the Pea Ridge area between Pace and Milton on land gifted to the church by T.J. and Ruth Bower. The masonry work on the first building was done by Brother John Payne who was in his eighties at the time. Those who were a part of the congregation in 1963 included: Raymond, Francis and Raymond Jr. Buchanan; Frank, Myrtle and Carron Buchanan; Ronnie and June Gilbert; Pam and Tink Gilbert; Mack and Wynell Williams; Shorty and Dot Brobst; Ronnie and Joyce Moore; Ora Lee Whitcomb; Bill and Katie Bonifay; Buddy and Mary Bonifay; Erma Butts; T.J. and Ruth Bower; John and Bessie Payne; Charles and Edna Greene; Adrian, Betty and Mike McCall; Jessie Todd and her three daughters Sherry, Pam and Toni.
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Over the next twenty years, the church continued to grow and thrive. In the early 1980s, seeing the need for Biblical leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-4), the congregation appointed brothers Adrian McCall and Thomas Phillips as its first elders. Currently, Roger Bell and Kenny McCall serve as overseers of the congregation. A number of men have also served the congregation as deacons over the years (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Several preachers have filled the pulpit at West Milton. Jason Carter began laboring with the congregation as a preacher in September 2023.
When the membership grew in the early 1980s, the elders decided that a new building housing auditorium, classrooms and an office was needed. Construction began in 1988 on land to the west of the original building also on land donated by Ruth and J.T. Bower. This octagonal shaped building was completed the following year at a cost of roughly $250,000. The first service was held on May 21, 1989. The original building was converted into a fellowship hall and named “The Bower Building” in honor of Brother and Sister Bower’s generosity.
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During the record setting hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005, the Bower Building suffered damage from three separate storms: Ivan, Dennis, and Katrina. Due to the extent of the damage, the cost of repair and the age of the building, it was decided to demolish that building and build a new facility. The new Bower Building was completed in 2006 and was designed, like the 1988 auditorium, to be hurricane resistant. In addition to a large gathering room and kitchen facility, this new building also included shower stalls in each bathroom for future hurricane relief workers and office space for the church secretary, minister and elders.
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God instructs us through His inspired Scriptures, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). The West Milton church of Christ has been involved with many outreach efforts over the years in our community. Recent endeavors include sewing pillowcases and providing books for children at the local hospital and providing meals for residents at the Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida.