J.S. Kirkpatrick

From the Biographical History of Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers, Volume II, 2001, by David Montgomery and Mark Green.

John Spencer Kirkpatrick

My father, Earl Kirkpatrick, married Lillie O. Elliott on August 29, 1914, in my mother's home near Olney, Texas.  I was born April 8, 1915, near Eldert in Throckmorton County, Texas. I am the oldest of 15 children: 11 girls and 4 boys. I went to Monahans, Texas, in the winter of 1936 and worked for a while and went back home to Goree awhile. Then one day I was grubbing out in a ranch pasture, and I thought I heard someone call my name. The third time it said, “Go back to Monahans.” So I went home the next day and went to Monahans. The first person I met other than kinfolks was Miss Norma Louise Netzel. We were married August 1, 1937.  I felt that the Lord called me to preach in 1930, but I said Lord this is too much for me, and I would not go back to church. In January 1946, I asked my wife if she wanted to go to Church with me.

We were late; Brother Howze was already preaching, so we went in and sat down on the back seat. And as I looked at Elder Howze, I could not hold back the tears. When the next meeting time came, I could not stay away. So we went to church, and after the service I asked Howze to go home with me, so he did. Then, Sunday morning, when they gave the opportunity for membership, I offered myself to the Church, and my wife followed me. We were received on the second Sunday in February 1946 and were baptized by Elder Howze on March 10, 1946.

I was ordained to the full work of the ministry on May 12, 1951. The presbytery consisted of the following elders and deacons: B. R. Howze, E. S. Morrisett, O. C. Floyd, and W. H. Fox and C. L. Casey; deacons J. H. Shelton, D. L. Handlin, J. L. Hester, Robert Smith; J. L. McKimmey; W. F. Sides; W. M. Randolph; W. T. Guthrie; J. E. Barrington; B. T. Hale, J. D. Beauchamp and T. H. Randolph. Elder B. R. Howze was elected moderator and Brother Barrington as clerk. Brother Burt was appointed as spokesman for the church, and Eld. Fox to deliver the ordination prayer and Brother Morrisett to deliver the charge.