Class Founder Ralph Murphy

THE HISTORY OF MURPHY’S GANG

During the latter part of the 1950s, a group of young married people decided that they would like a co-ed Sunday School class, even though it was against the policy of First Baptist Church. Since there was a Children’s Department and an Adult Department, it made sense to this group to have a Young Married Couples Department so that the newly married "love-birds" would not be separated in Sunday School.

The class met in the choir room directly across the hall from the present choir room. This meant that the class had to adjourn in time for the choir members to prepare for the worship service. The room was in need of refurbishing so the male members of the department painted the walls "Baptist green". After several months of sharing this space, the class was moved to the room across the hall, and the loyal painters once again put "Baptist green" paint on the walls. The location of the class moved several other times, but in 1999 settled in our present location, which is now shared with the Children’s Ministry Center during the week.

James Hutchins was Sunday School Superintendent, and the first teacher of this class was Dr. Tom Crews. Helen Mobley (Rhonda Lowe’s Mother) was the Assistant Teacher. The class numbered approximately 40 members, and included Helen and Billy McElreath, Sue and Billy Freeman, and Rebecca and James Hutchins, Mildred Moore (Ray Moore’s wife) was the pianist. Mildred’s past experience as a nightclub pianist caused her to "jazz up" those old familiar Baptist songs. She kept the class entertained with her musical ability, wit and pleasant personality.

Dr. Crews taught the class for a number of years, followed by other great teachers, including Hugo Davis, Stacey Cotton, Jack Carroll, Jean Croom, and Betty Higgins.

In 1988, Ralph and Gerri Murphy moved to Covington, and joined First Baptist Church in 1991. That same year, Ralph became the teacher of this class. Because of Ralph’s innovative teaching, a tremendous growth of the class took place A sister church in the community lost several couples, but First Baptist and Ralph Murphy’s class gained them. The class became known as MURPMY’S GANG, as a symbol of the affection the group holds for Ralph (and Gerri).

The class honored Ralph by staging a "This is Your Life, Ralph Murphy" evening. Stacey Cotton served as the Master of Ceremonies The class worked very hard inviting people from Ralph’s past (and present) life to come and share memories of him. It was kept a secret until Ralph walked into the kitchen and found all of the guests hiding there. Gerri said, "I should have told you; he always goes into the kitchen!" Speakers that evening included Esther Williams, Richard Rawlins, Alto Townsend, Charlotte Rowell (a childhood friend), and Dr. Glen Waldrop, Pastor of the Briarcliff Baptist Church when the Murphys were members there. It was a great evening, and the class enjoyed it as much as Ralph. The class presented Ralph with an apron that evening that says "Ask Me About Murphy’s Gang" He still proudly wears it.

Ralph has instilled in this class the importance of helping those in need in our church and our community. The class is known throughout the church as a group of Christians who take care of each other and those less fortunate. This is just one of the important lessons learned from Ralph Murphy.

The 90+ member class recently placed a plaque beside the door of the Murphy’s Gang classroom that reads:

WITH LOVE AND APRECIATION TO RALPH MURPHY
FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND UNTIRING EFFORT