Rev. Roy A. Johnson
Baptist Pastor
Northern Kentucky
By Mrs. Elizabeth M. KirtleyRev. Roy A. Johnson was born June 23, 1892 near Walton, Kentucky, to Fletcher and Annie Johnson. All of his early life was spent near the place of his birth. He was saved at the age of 14 in the New Banklick Baptist Church. In 1919, after returning from the battlefields of France, he surrendered to preach the gospel. He began preaching at the Crescent Springs Baptist Church in 1921, and he was ordained as a minister of the gospel at South Side Baptist Church several months later. While serving the Lord in Northern Kentucky, he was pastor of five churches and two missions, and served as interim pastor at least 12 times after his retirement.
Rev. Johnson was very active in associational and state work. He assisted in the organization of five churches, in the ordination of 10 ministers and 50 deacons. Over 3,000 people made a decision for Christ as the result of Rev. Johnson's 56 years of ministry. He performed over 1,700 weddings, and conducted over 1,800 funerals. Rev. Johnson was married twice, and the father of one son.
In April, 1941, Rev. Roy Johnson came to serve as pastor of Burlington Baptist Church. The old parsonage had become a financial burden to the church and had been sold at auction in August, 1940. The members made individual subscriptions to pay the debts left after the sale. The final note of indebtedness was paid off and the church was free of debt for the first time in several years. In June, 1941, Albert Weaver went as a messenger to the Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, Alabama. In July, Lee Huey and Owen Hoard were received as deacons. A financial plan was adopted whereby 10% of all money received into the church, exclusive of special offerings, was given to missions. In September, a very successful revival was held, with 35 additions.
In February, 1942, a furnace was purchased to heat the upstairs and the basement. In March, a library was opened. The North Bend Association was held at Burlington Baptist Church in September, 1942. Burlington's report on membership, baptisms, Sunday School, and missions was the best report they had ever had. December 13, 1942, was the 100th anniversary of the church. A history was written. One hundred fifty of the 328 members answered the roll call. There was an average attendance of 131 in Sunday School for the year. Sixty men attended the Men's Bible Class on Easter Sunday.
In 1943, the church continued to grow, even though many of the men left to enter the armed services. On September 24, 1944, Elza Poston, Robert W. Clore, Howard Lizer, and Earl Smith were ordained as deacons. Pocket quarterlies were purchased for the members in the armed services. In December, a $3,000.00 War Bond was purchased.
In 1945, the church purchased a mimeograph machine and began a church bulletin. The average Sunday School attendance was 137, and the largest attendance was Easter Sunday with 208 present.
In 1947, the church basement was remodeled with permanent walls. One hundred dollars was donated to the local volunteer fire department for new equipment. On April 6, 1947, the church dedicated a new electric organ that cost $2,600.00. Four mattresses were purchased for the associational Bethel Baptist Encampment.
In 1948, a lot adjoining the church was purchase for a parsonage. The church proceeded with plans to build an addition to the church. On October 27, 1948, the church licensed Bob Brown to preach the gospel.
On January 9, 1949, Robert Walter Brown was ordained a minister of the gospel at Burlington Baptist Church with Rev. Roy Johnson bringing the message to the candidate. In September, a bus was hired to travel the Woolper Creek Road to bring passengers to Sunday School and church on Sunday mornings. On November 13, 1949, Morton Oliver, Jr. was ordained a minister of the gospel at our church upon the request of the Bethany Baptist Church of Grant County. The church borrowed $10,000.00 for work on the parsonage.
On August 6, 1950, the new parsonage was dedicated. A lot in back of the parsonage was bought for $100.00.
In 1951, during the remodeling of the church and the construction of the addition to the church, our evening services were held at the Methodist church. The other services were held at the school. On July 8, 1951, the new baptistry was used to baptize seven candidates. Approximately 500 were present for the dedication of the remodeled church and new educational plant. This construction had cost $26,000.00.
In October, 1952, Rev. Johnson resigned as pastor to accept the pastorate of Florence Baptist Church. During his pastorate the resident membership had grown to 418.
Rev. Johnson continued serving the Lord as pastor of churches in Northern Kentucky. Throughout this area, and especially in Boone County, Rev. Roy A. Johnson was the most revered Baptist leader of our time. He went to be with the Lord on December 30,1977.
============================= [From Burlington Baptist Church Pastoral Gallery - 1988, Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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