60 YEARS OF JUBILEE
13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
Psalm 79:13
Our History
Woodlawn Baptist Church is known throughout Catawba County as “The Church That Cares About You.” The Woodlawn family began on December, 28 1958, as the Conover Baptist Mission. The first meeting of the newly formed mission was held at Conover Elementary School. East Hickory Baptist Church is our mother church.
On December 11, 1960, the Conover Baptist Mission voted to petition the Theron Rankin Baptist Association for membership. The Rev. Carl Lee was pastor.
The property on which our current church plant is now located was purchased March 12, 1961, at a cost of $13, 850.00. The first worship service was held in a building on this site on May 21, 1967. Rev. M.W. Bodlien served as pastor.
Under the leadership of Rev. Harold Threatt a new parsonage was dedicated in 1973. A new worship center seating 900 was dedicated on August 24, 1980, with Rev. Wayne Levan serving as our pastor. In November 1988, a tract of land adjacent to our present property was purchased for $49,500.00. The Rev. J.T. Brown was pastor.
In July 1993, Dr. Ed. Yount became the sixth pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church. Under his leadership our attendance has more than doubled with over 630 new members being added to the church. Our educational facilities have undergone three major renovations to provide more space. In addition, a new Christian Life Center was dedicated in September 1998, providing more education, fellowship and recreation space.
With membership over 1200 and a church plant valued at over $3,000,000.00 we can be thankful to God for His blessings upon the Woodlawn family. The future is bright, and we are committed to the task of exalting the Savior, equipping the saints, and evangelizing the unsaved.
Pastor Yount retired in 2020 after 27 years of faithful service. He was named Pastor Emeritus on December 20, 2020.
Conover Elementary School, where Conover Baptist Mission began meeting on December 28, 1958.
Woodlawn's Pastors
Carl H. Lee
M.W. Bodlien
Harold Threatt
Wayne Levan
J.T. Brown
Dr. Ed Yount
1959 - 1962
1962 - 1971
1972 - 1979
1980 - 1983
1984 - 1992
1993 - 2020
On Sunday, June 24, 1962, the Sunday morning service at Woodlawn Baptist Church began at Conover Elementary School with guest speaker Rev. Harold Tester, pastor of First Baptist Church of Newton, delivering the sermon. Then the congregation moved to their new building site on Seventh Street Place Southwest for groundbreaking services. D.F. Adams, the oldest church member, and Vaughn Johnson the youngest church member shared in turning the first shovel of dirt. Donald Greene led in the prayer of dedication, the congregation sang “Blest Be the Tie,” and Woodlawn’s pastor, Rev. Carl H. Lee, pronounced the benediction. The first service held in a building on this site was on November 4, 1962. Rev. M.W. Bodlien served as pastor.
Groundbreaking for the new Sunday School building (Building B) took place on July 31, 1966. The planning committee for the new building included Robert Fisher, Ray Birchfield, James Tallant, Loy Abernathy, and Fred Lane.
18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
Matthew 16:18
Ground was broken for the current worship center on May 6, 1979. The building, which seats 900, was dedicated on August 24, 1980.
Although the church’s educational facilities were remodeled several times, the continually growing congregation outgrew their space again. On May 18, 1997, Dr. Ed Yount, aided by Mrs. Mada Smith and Mr. Robert Boatwright, oldest church members present, broke ground for a new Christian Life Center.
The Christian Life Center was dedicated in September, 1998, providing additional education, fellowship, and recreational space.
Sixty years later, the body of believers now known as Woodlawn Baptist Church continue to experience the same measures of gratitude and challenge — gratitude to God for His faithfulness over these years and challenge to continue to move forward under the banner of our living Lord.
