Baptist Messenger
The Baptist Messenger is the flagship newsjournal of Oklahoma Baptists, published continuously since 1912. The Messenger is distributed to nearly 45,000 households and is the third largest newspaper in Oklahoma in terms of print circulation.[1]
| Type | Semi-monthly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Publisher | Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma |
| Editor | Brian Hobbs |
| Associate editor | Chris Doyle |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | 3800 North May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73112 USA |
| Circulation | 45,014 |
| Website | baptistmessenger.com |
Clarence P. Stealey moved to Oklahoma from West Virginia in 1909 to start the publication.[1] The first edition of the newspaper coincided with the first annual meeting of the Oklahoma Southern Baptist Convention on May 12, 1912.[1] The Baptist convention purchased the paper from Stealey for $5,000 in 1919.[1]
The newspaper is currently staffed by editor, Brian Hobbs, and managing editor Chris Doyle. The Baptist Messenger also produces a mobile App, news website and a podcast program.
History
The first issue of the Baptist Messenger was published on May 15, 1912.[2] The publication was owned and edited by Clarence P. Stealey, a minister from Washington, D.C.[2] In 1919, the Baptist Convention of Oklahoma purchased the paper, which had a circulation of 5,000 at the time.[2]
Stealey was removed as editor in the late 1920s after taking some controversial editorial positions in the antievolution movement.[2] He was succeeded by Eugene C. Routh, who tripled the readership by the time he left in 1943.[2]
References
- "About" at Baptist Messenger (accessed February 25, 2010).
- Everett, Dianna, "Baptist Messenger Archived July 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Archived May 31, 2010, at the Wayback Machine (accessed May 6, 2010).