History

Morningside Baptist Church began with the prayers and concerns of one lady whose heart was burdened for an independent Baptist church in Graham.  Her concern led her to write Rev. Luther C. Peak of Central Baptist Church in Dallas, whom she listened to on the radio.  In March of 1943, Robert C. Martin began an evangelistidc meeting that launched the beginning fo the church.  The church was organized Sunday night April 4, 1943, with eleven charter members under the name of Graham Baptist Temple.  The church met in a bulding in the east side of the square in downtown Graham, and moved its current location 18 months later, at which time it was renamed Morningside Baptist Church.  Bro. Martin continued as pastor for 6-1/2 years, at which time he was called to Houston, TX.

Robert L. Sumner assumed the position as pastor on September 18, 1949.  During his pastorate, the curch building burned due to a short in the baptistry hot water heater in May of 1951.  The church met temporarily  in Shawnee school cafetorium until Novemer, when construction on a new building began.  Pastor Sumner also felt the call to another work and on January 17, 1954, he preached his last message at Morningside.

Bill Jackson became the third pastor; however, he was only here a short time before answering the call to become a missionary to Mexico.

Morningside’s fourth pastor was Buford Stockard, who led the church from January, 1955 until his retirement in July of 1986.  During his pastorate, God blessed the work with a record 81 additions in one year and a high of 302 in attendance, as well as expanding its facilities with a Sunday school addition, a new parsonage, parking space, fellowship hall with additional Sunday school space and a building for Graham Christian Academy.

Jon Stockard, following in his father’s footsteps, pastored Morningside for 7 years.

Dan McBride, Morningside’s current pastor, answered the call in April of 2004; coming to Graham from Mason, TX where he pastored Bible Baptist Church for 10 years. Pastor McBride opens every Sunday morning service with his “Welcome to Morningside Baptist Church, the best place to be on a Sunday morning if you’re in Graham, Texas!”  We believe he’s right!