Dallas Franklyn Billington
1903-1972
Dallas Billington was born in a log house in west Kentucky.
Although his parents were devout Christians and his formative
years were spent in a Christian environment, he did not re-
spond personally to the Gospel until the age of 21, in a tent
meeting in Paducah, Kentucky, to which he had been invited by
his fiancee, Nell Stokes.
        In 1927, having moved to Akron, Ohio, to gain employ-
ment, he answered God’s call to preach during a serious ill-
ness of his infant son, Charles. In June, 1934, he was in-
vited to preach for a small group of people who were meeting
in Rimer School. There, with a congregation of 13 and an of-
fering of $1.18, the Akron Baptist Temple was born. Under his
ministry during the next 38 years, the church grew to 16,000
members, with physical assets of several million. The
outreach of radio, television, and missionaries contributed
to its worldwide ministry, in addition to aiding the estab-
lishment of hundreds of independent Baptist churches across
America.
        Dr. Billington’s ministry was unique in that his mes-
sages were plain, simple, and to the point. A master in the
use of illustrations and always preaching with the invitation
in view, he was used of God to win thousands of men to
Christ. His compassion for people, his integrity and spotless
example as a man of God will long be remembered.
        Having suffered heart trouble since 1941, he died Au-
gust 26, 1972, at the age of 69. His only son, Charles, hav-
ing served with his father for 24 years, succeeded him as
pastor of the Akron Baptist Temple.