Oklahoma Baptist State Association: “the only one of its kind”

Concerning Oklahoma Baptists, the Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists calls the Nunnery Movement “the only distinct movement of its kind in Oklahoma Baptist history” and the Oklahoma Orthodox Movement “the only outward break of its kind.”[1] However, they may have missed a third “only one of its kind” (unless I missed finding it in the Encyclopedia) – the Landmark Baptist State Association.[2]

I started recently researching Alonzo Nunnery and the “Nunnery Movement.” In 1926, the “Nunnery Movement’s” Baptist Convention of Oklahoma merged with the State Association of Oklahoma Baptist Churches to form the Baptist General Assembly of Oklahoma.[3] The prevailing view is (or at least was) that this State Association was formed in 1903 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. However, I noticed a discrepancy when I read that the only available minutes of this body are of the twelfth annual session, October 30-November 1, 1923. If it were formed in 1903, 1923 should be about the twenty-first annual session, rather than the twelfth.[4] There might be a way that this discrepancy can be explained and this still be the same body (such as it not meeting some years). However, I considered another explanation more likely – that there are two associations of the same name or similar names that have been confused, one organized in 1903 and the other around 1912. Also supporting this is The Chickasha Daily Express story about the consolidation of the State Association and the “New” Baptist convention. It says the State Association was in the 15th year.[5] Both these calculations signify about 1912 as the year this body was organized, rather than 1903.

The Western Publishing Company (and apparently Landmark Baptists) about September 1912 established a new religious publication called Sword and Trowel. Its editor was C. R. Powell, and shows a state association with the following officers: G. W. Crawford, moderator; T. L. Roberts, clerk; R. V. Thompson, treasurer.[6]

An article called “Our State Association” in the Sword and Trowel periodical hints that the churches organized this association in 1912. At the least, R. H. Thompson of Roland, Oklahoma speaks of “the Statement of Principles of our State Association, adopted at McAlester July 9th.” In writing of the state meeting in November, he speaks as if it is something new:

“Feeling that there are a great many Landmark Baptists all over Oklahoma, who are very anxious and have been waiting lo! these many years for an opportunity of meeting in just such an Association as we now have, where Baptists can meet as our forefathers did with no one to boss and lay the lash. Yes, and more it does not cost a Landmark church five, ten, or twenty-five dollars for a seat in this Association. All that is required is to be sound in the faith, doctrine and practice.”[7]

This November 1912 meeting was held at the East Ardmore Baptist Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

The Daily Ardmoreite, November 24, 1912, p. 4

I have been able to trace in newspapers other meetings of what appears to be this same association – though the association’s name is not always consistent. In 1913 they met at Mason, Oklahoma (reported as the Landmark Missionary Baptist State Association in The Okemah Ledger, October 23, 1913, p.  9). In 1917, when it met again at Mason, the newspaper calls it the State Landmark Baptist Association (The Okemah Ledger, September 13, 1917, p. 1). In 1923 (the meeting mentioned in paragraph two), the official paper, The Oklahoma Baptist, calls the body the Oklahoma State Association of Baptist Churches (October 15, 1923, p. 1). However, in 1924 they call it the “13th Annual session of the Baptist Missionary Association of Oklahoma” (The Oklahoma Baptist, November 15, 1924). The Alex Tribune calls the 1925 meeting the State Association of Missionary Baptist Churches (October 30, 1925, p. 1).

Despite the discrepancies in name – some of which may be informal references rather than the actual adopted name – these newspaper accounts appear to trace the same association, the association that unified with the Nunnery movement’s Baptist Convention of Oklahoma to form the Baptist General Assembly. Names of preachers who participated show some consistency, as well as references to past associations.

Therefore, I tentatively conclude that this association was formed around 1911 or 1912, possibly in July of 1912, and that it is not the same association formed in Tulsa in 1903.

Perhaps I am spinning my wheels. Perhaps some Oklahoma historian has already researched and proved the matter. If so, I would be very glad to hear from you!

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[1] Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists, Vol. II, Norman Wade Cox, editor, Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1958, pages 1025 and 1064.
[2] Also known as (apparently, whether formally or informally), State Association of Oklahoma Baptist Churches, State Association of Missionary Baptist Churches, the Baptist Missionary Association of Oklahoma, et al.
[3] History of the Baptist General Assembly of Oklahoma and Other Beginnings from 1903 to 1982, T. L. Duren, editor, Baptist General Assembly Historical Committee, n.d. (circa 1982), pp. 7-8; “Church Meet to Open Tomorrow,” Chickasha Daily Express, October 25, 1926, page 1.
[4] Based on how association sessions are normally counted (there are exceptions, of course). If an association first meets in 2000, the meeting in 2001 will be the second session. You cannot just subtract 2 from 2001 to get the correct organizational year.
[5] The Chickasha Daily Express, October 25, 1926, page 1.
[6] Sword and Trowel (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), September 26, 1912, p. 9.
[7] Ibid., p. 15.