The Dayton Arkansas Baptist Church celebrated its 100th Anniversary, Sunday October 27, 1974. Approximately 250 were present for the occasion. This Sunday morning services began with the congregation singing the Doxology.
     Brother Elva Adams, Association Missionary led the group singing and Karen Cumbie was the pianist. Testimonial service by Reverend Eulus Gann, Mrs. Pearl Holland gave "Memories of the Church", and scripture and prayer was given by Reverend Ford F. Gauntt. Special song was presented by Cathy McKown. The sermon was given by Reverend R.H. Davis, Superintendent of Missions, Arkansas Baptist State Convention.
     Dr. J. Everett Sneed, Editor of the Arkansas Baptist News Magazine was present and extended greetings from the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Lunch was served at the noon hour.
     In the afternoon, the services began with the singing of hymns under the direction of Carl Witcher Jr. and Cindy Moore, pianist from Fort Smith. Reverend Eulus Gann, pastor, recognized former pastors present. They were Reverend Elton Pennington and Ford F. Gauntt, (pastor supply). Former members of the church who are now pastors of churches, attending the services were Reverends Charles Whedbee, Levi Stephens, Truman Moore, and Don Moore.
     The scripture and prayer were given by Reverend Elton Pennington. Special music was presented by Sharon Sloat of Fort Smith. The centennial sermon was delivered by Reverend Don Moore, president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. The benediction was given by Reverend Charles Whedbee.
     The Dayton Baptist Church was organized in 1874. There was no record of the organizational meeting and no record of the Charter members.
     For several years the church went by the name of Friendship and was a member of the Concord Association. The earliest recorded pastor was L.F. Patterson. In 1883 the Annual Association meeting was held in the friendship Church at Dayton with L.F. Patterson, Pastor. The name Friendship seems to have been dropped during the 1880's. The church building around the turn of the 20th century was owned jointly by the Baptist Church and the Church of Christ. Each church held services twice a month.
     About 1910 the Baptist Church bought the church of Christ's interest in the building. The present church was built in 1945.
     During the one hundred years approximately 25 ministers served as pastors. There were over 500 baptisms during this period.

DAYTON BAPTIST CHURCH BAPTIZING ABOUT 1910
(Picture courtesy of Mrs. Edna Byers Hickerson)

Left to Right: Reverend Harvey e. Marsh, Pastor of church, Ernie Gassaway, Cleo Boyd, Daisy Glass, Maude Workman, Bonnie Varner, Maude Massengale, Lennie Clopton, Eula Cross, Mrs. John Whedbee, Gonah Boyd, Mollie Bull, Martha Clopton, Ida Hall, Elmer Hall, Ben Wells, George W. Barnes, Willie Byers, Vester Holland, Unknown, Mack Gartrell, Cecil Camel, Mack Glass, Charlie Witcher, Fred Clopton, Everett Holland
(Note: names as then)