Our History

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

Reverend C. L. Dotson came to the State of Nevada in 1944. He arrived in Hawthorne, Nevada November 13, 1944. Reverend Dotson went through Las Vegas and had to spend the night in Las Vegas with Reverend Hayden. The next morning, he had a visit with Reverend B.T. Mayfield, his old friend from Amarillo, Texas. As Reverend Dotson and Reverend Mayfield walked through his church (Second Baptist Church) they talked about organizing a convention. “Well I thought no more about it until I was called to Bethel Baptist Church in Hawthorne”, said Reverend C.L. Dotson. He wrote Reverend Mayfield concerning the discussion they had about organizing a convention. Their dream became a reality on April 27, 1947. Reverend B.T. Mayfield was elected president, Reverend J.L. Simmons, secretary, Reverend D. B. meadows, Vice president and Reverend C.L. Dotson, treasurer. “After considering the mater, we realized that we had put the cart before the horse. It takes associations to make a convention”, said Reverend Dotson. So a meeting was held in Hawthorne, Nevada on July 11, 1947 and two associations were organized.  Reverend J.L. Simmons was elected moderator of the association in the Southern part of Nevada. It was named “The Pride of the West”. The association in the North was called “The Northern Association of Negro Baptist of the State of Nevada”, with Reverend D.B. Meadows elected as moderator. Reverend Dotson was elected as vice moderator; Reverend W.R. Thomas was elected as evangelist. Reverend Meadows moderated the meeting. He played a great part in organizing the two associations and electing of officers. The next move was to call a meeting in San Bernardino, California at the Temple Baptist Church; Reverend J. L. Simmons was the pastor. At the request of President William C. Webb, Reverend C.L. Dotson and Reverend D. B. Meadows were asked to recall as much of the history of the convention and the association as possible. Sunday, April 27, 1947 the convention organizational meeting was held in Las Vegas, Nevada and moderated by Reverend D.B. Meadows. The first officers of the Nevada Baptist Convention are as follows:

 

REVEREND B.T. MAYFIELD              REVEREND D. B MEADOWS

President                                            Vice President        

 

REVEREND J.L. SIMMONS                REVEREND C.H. HAYDEN

Executive Secretary                           Recording Secretary

Strangers Home, Las Vegas             Second Baptist, Las Vegas

 

REVEREND C.L. DOTSON                 REVEREND T.C. COLE

Treasurer                                            Pastor

(Representing Reverend J.H.
Carey Bethel, Hawthorn)

Church unknown

 

In an effort to encourage the California Convention and the Nevada Convention, the first Annual State Convention met at the Temple Baptist Church in San Bernardino, California, (Reverend J.L. Simmons, Pastor) August 8-9, 1947.

 

During the July 11-12, 1948 meeting of the “Northern Association of Negro Baptist of the State of Nevada”, it was decided to change the name to the “Progressive District Baptist Association”. 

 

There is no record of the activities of the convention during 1948, however, it is realized that the Convention name was changed to include: “Interstate”, to accommodate the First Baptist Church of Herlong, California. Official records continue showing that the second session of the Convention met at the Second Baptist Church, Reverend B.T. Mayfield, Pastor, 418 Toana Street, Reno, Nevada, on August 18, 1949.

 

Please make note that this attempt to piece together a history of 40 years of Convention activities may not agree with some of your own personal recollections, however, to the best of our abilities, please accept what we have done.

 

Humbly submitted,

Reverend D.B. Meadows

Sister C. Carter