Esta Memorial Baptist Church was founded in 1952 as Dry Branch Community Church. The name was later changed to Dry Branch Missionary Baptist Church, Then Midkiff Missionary Baptist Church, and finally named Esta Memorial Baptist Church in memory of Esta Short – whose funeral was the first held in the church. John Short, Paul Hoy, and Frank Midkiff – the three original deacons and church builders – had a burden for the community and a desire to worship God and see lost souls come to Christ. John Short donated the property for the first church building, and the church met in a small building call the “Chicken House” until the old church building was completed.
The property where the current church building is located was purchased from Irene Hoy in 1973, and the church held its dedication and first service in the new auditorium in July of 1977, where its members have been serving the Lord faithfully since.
Pastoral History
• Samuel W. Cavender – Never officially served as Pastor of the church but served as administrator. He advised on doctrine and by-laws and was instrumental in Esta being established as a Missionary Baptist Church. He also served as the moderator in Ordination Meetings to ordain ministers and deacons.
• James Cavender (Sept. 1952 – Aug. 1954) – First official pastor of the church. Son of Samuel W. Cavnder and worked along with him to establish the church as Dry Branch Missionary Baptist Church. in 1953, the name of the church was changed to Midkiff Missionary Baptist Church in honor of the then-oldest deacon. Pastor Cavender passed away in 1994.
• Elmer Craigo (Sept. 1954 – Apr. 1959) – Second official pastor of the church. He was elected Assistant Pastor in 1953 and served under Pastor James Cavender and was elected pastor upon Cavender’s resignation in 1954. Pastor Craigo passed away in 1985.
• Charles Hudson (Jun. 1959 – Aug. 1961) – Third official pastor of the church. In 1960, he held a revival during which 27 souls were saved, the majority of which were teenagers. During his tenure, the church began holding youth services. Pastor Craigo resigned in 1961 due to health conditions and passed away in 1993.
• Harry Durham (Jan. 1962 – Jun. 1963) – Fourth official pastor of the church. Served as interim pastor for 6 months before being voted in as pastor by the church. During his tenure, the church was renamed form Midkiff Missionary Baptist Church to Esta Memorial Baptist Church. Pastor Durham passed away in 1992.
• Leonard Hurley (Oct. 1963 – Jan. 1970) – Fifth official pastor of the church. During his tenure, several changes took place in church organization and order of services. Before 1964, the church held Saturday night services, with Sunday School on Sunday mornings. The church began holding Morning Worship Services at 11:00 am on Sunday mornings, and the Saturday night services were changed to monthly Saturday night sings. The church also began the annual distribution of fruit baskets to the elderly and shut-ins (a tradition that is carried on to this day during the Christmas holiday season). The church’s first missions fund was also instituted during Pastor Hurley’s tenure, and at one time the church became affiliated with the Zoar Assocation, but later was dropped. Pastor Hurley resigned in 1970 and passed away 1984.
• Clifford Tucker (Feb. 1970 – Jan. 1971) – Sixth official pastor of the church. Was very interested in promoting the young people of the church, desiring to see them commit themselves to Christ and the service of the church. After suffering a heart attack in the fall of 1970, Pastor Tucker resigned, feeling that he was unable to fulfill his duties. Pastor Tucker passed away in 2007.
• Ralph Dearien (Mar. 1971 – Mar. 1972) – Seventh official pastor of the church. Known for preaching with humbleness and compassion and was well loved by members and the community. Elected to a second term, but due to illness felt he couldn’t accept. Pastor Dearien passed away in 2001.
•Howard Ashworth (Jul. 1972 – Jul. 1973) – Eighth official pastor of the church. Held a revival in October of 1972 during which 39 souls were saved and baptized into the church. Pastor Ashworth resigned in 1973 and passed away in 1975.
• Harvey Fleck (Oct. 1973 – Feb. 1978) – Ninth official pastor of the church. During his tenure the church grew stronger doctrinally. He was known for preaching with such simplicity that a child was able to understand and had a great compassion for the church and the lost. During his term, the current church building was built and occupied. Pastor Fleck resigned in 1978, feeling that a church congregation consisting of many young families should have a younger pastor, and passed away in 1982.
• Randal Wilson (Apr. 1978 – Present) – Tenth official and current serving pastor of the church. Grandson of Samuel Cavender and nephew of Ralph Dearien. Many of the current members of Esta have only known Pastor Wilson as their pastor, as they have been saved and baptized under his ministry. During his tenure, Esta started a TV broadcast – which has now been replace with our livestream ministry – and radio ministry.