Wilderness Branch Baptist Church
Tax deductible
Wilderness Branch Baptist Church in Richmond, TX is raising funds to complete the construction of a new building for worship and fellowship. The church is over 100 years old and the current building is being donated to a historical park in the area for restoration. The new facility will allow for attendance to expand supporting their outreach to the children and young people that attend schools right next to their location.
If you would like more information about the church or ways to help them complete this project please email Mittie Cobbin at [email redacted]
Following is the history and some photos from the church
The church on a rare snowy day in December of 2018
Pastor E.W. Woodwork and members. He Pastored for 14 years until his death.
Deacon Lonnie Ross and Deacon Fred Green Jr.
Wilderness Branch Baptist Church History
6207 FM 359
Richmond, Texas 77469
832-363-3679 or [phone redacted]
It was in the year of 1902, the 9th of October when one acre of land was donated to Reverend J.S. Sanders and others by Ms Mary Briscoe. The church is located at 6207 FM 359 Richmond, Texas 77469. Prior to the donation of the land, they were having services at Galilee Baptist Church on the Sugar Land Imperial Farm which is no longer in existence.
When they met one Sunday a month, they were having service under what they called a Brush Arbor. They gathered brush and limbs for shelter over them during their service. At the time it was a wooded area. So, when The Lord placed it on the hearts of Rev. Sanders and others the vision to build a church, they decided to name it Wilderness Branch Missionary Baptist Church. These words they believed:
And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter, And upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Rev. Sanders served until the Lord called him home on August 31, 1951. Then Rev. Robert Smith was elected and he served for 4 years. Later we elected Rev. E.W. Woodfork of Houston, Texas. Under the leadership of Rev. Woodfork we began having worship services twice a month every Second and Fourth Sunday. He served for 14 years until his death. Then we elected Rev. White Riley on August 12, 1971 and he served as a faithful Pastor for 26 years until his death. We were still having worship services on Second and Fourth Sundays.
Down through the years a Choir stand was added. Before rest rooms were added, they used what was called an out-house. After years of raising the windows for air, air conditioners were added. The Lord brought us from a mighty long way and we can’t thank him enough.
On July 30, 1998 we elected Rev. W.T. Moses and he was with us for 13 years and we began having worship services every Sunday. Rev. David McDonald was with us for a short period of time. In October of 2011, we elected Rev. Timothy J. Powers, Sr .and he was with us for 2 and 1/2 years when he decided to start his own ministry.
On December 7, 2014 we elected our current Pastor, Bobby Lockridge, Sr. He has a servants’ heart for the members and all of God’s people.
Wilderness Branch Church has only had 3 Secretaries in the 115 years:
1. Sis. Austin until death.
2. Sis. Classie Brown until death
3. Sis. Mittie Cobbin who is our present Secretary.
The church is actively working to build a new worship center. Our church is committed to reaching out to Seniors, and provide opportunities to educate and mentor troubled youth. These are critical areas of need in the Fort Bend County Area. Wilderness Branch is still doing God’s work 117 years later with a vision to have a greater impact in the community and the county. Our efforts to restore and build a Sanctuary will greatly improve our ability to aid in these areas and more.
We thank God for all he has done for us down through the 117 years October 9, 2018. Our Pastor and members have an active Women of Royal Distinction Ministry-W.O.R.D., a Men of Branch – M.O.B. Ministry and a Youth Ministry. Our Mission Statement: Live a life that’s pleasing to God; allowing God’s Word to teach, transform and equip people with the tools needed to lead unbelievers to Christ. We have Religious Services as follows: Sunday School @ 9 A.M, Bible Study on Wednesday Nights @ 7 P.M, and following is Choir Rehearsal, Morning Worship @ 10 AM every Sunday.
We are truly grateful for The Lord placing it on Ms Mary Briscoe’s heart to donate an acre of land to the Christians that came before us. God has been good.
Rev. Bobby Lockridge Sr., Pastor
Sis. Mittie Cobbin, Secretary
If you would like more information about the church or ways to help them complete this project please email Mittie Cobbin at [email redacted]
Following is the history and some photos from the church
The church on a rare snowy day in December of 2018Pastor E.W. Woodwork and members. He Pastored for 14 years until his death.Deacon Lonnie Ross and Deacon Fred Green Jr.Wilderness Branch Baptist Church History
6207 FM 359
Richmond, Texas 77469
832-363-3679 or [phone redacted]
It was in the year of 1902, the 9th of October when one acre of land was donated to Reverend J.S. Sanders and others by Ms Mary Briscoe. The church is located at 6207 FM 359 Richmond, Texas 77469. Prior to the donation of the land, they were having services at Galilee Baptist Church on the Sugar Land Imperial Farm which is no longer in existence.
When they met one Sunday a month, they were having service under what they called a Brush Arbor. They gathered brush and limbs for shelter over them during their service. At the time it was a wooded area. So, when The Lord placed it on the hearts of Rev. Sanders and others the vision to build a church, they decided to name it Wilderness Branch Missionary Baptist Church. These words they believed:
And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter, And upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Rev. Sanders served until the Lord called him home on August 31, 1951. Then Rev. Robert Smith was elected and he served for 4 years. Later we elected Rev. E.W. Woodfork of Houston, Texas. Under the leadership of Rev. Woodfork we began having worship services twice a month every Second and Fourth Sunday. He served for 14 years until his death. Then we elected Rev. White Riley on August 12, 1971 and he served as a faithful Pastor for 26 years until his death. We were still having worship services on Second and Fourth Sundays.
Down through the years a Choir stand was added. Before rest rooms were added, they used what was called an out-house. After years of raising the windows for air, air conditioners were added. The Lord brought us from a mighty long way and we can’t thank him enough.
On July 30, 1998 we elected Rev. W.T. Moses and he was with us for 13 years and we began having worship services every Sunday. Rev. David McDonald was with us for a short period of time. In October of 2011, we elected Rev. Timothy J. Powers, Sr .and he was with us for 2 and 1/2 years when he decided to start his own ministry.
On December 7, 2014 we elected our current Pastor, Bobby Lockridge, Sr. He has a servants’ heart for the members and all of God’s people.
Wilderness Branch Church has only had 3 Secretaries in the 115 years:
1. Sis. Austin until death.
2. Sis. Classie Brown until death
3. Sis. Mittie Cobbin who is our present Secretary.
The church is actively working to build a new worship center. Our church is committed to reaching out to Seniors, and provide opportunities to educate and mentor troubled youth. These are critical areas of need in the Fort Bend County Area. Wilderness Branch is still doing God’s work 117 years later with a vision to have a greater impact in the community and the county. Our efforts to restore and build a Sanctuary will greatly improve our ability to aid in these areas and more.
We thank God for all he has done for us down through the 117 years October 9, 2018. Our Pastor and members have an active Women of Royal Distinction Ministry-W.O.R.D., a Men of Branch – M.O.B. Ministry and a Youth Ministry. Our Mission Statement: Live a life that’s pleasing to God; allowing God’s Word to teach, transform and equip people with the tools needed to lead unbelievers to Christ. We have Religious Services as follows: Sunday School @ 9 A.M, Bible Study on Wednesday Nights @ 7 P.M, and following is Choir Rehearsal, Morning Worship @ 10 AM every Sunday.
We are truly grateful for The Lord placing it on Ms Mary Briscoe’s heart to donate an acre of land to the Christians that came before us. God has been good.
Rev. Bobby Lockridge Sr., Pastor
Sis. Mittie Cobbin, Secretary
Organizer
Mittie Cobbin
Organizer
Richmond, TX
Wilderness Branch Baptist Church Inc.
Beneficiary