About Us
TEACH US WHAT WE YET MAY BE
A HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH,
MONROEVILLE, ALABAMA
First Baptist Church of Monroeville, Alabama, believing that God does indeed “lead his dear children along,” has accumulated one hundred and seventy-five years in service to Him who leads. The purpose of this history is to give some facts about the origin, growth and present status of the church as well as some of its trials and tribulations along the way. History, however, is much more than simple facts. Telling the full story of First Baptist Church would have to include the story of the shapers of the church as it is today. As interesting and as worthwhile as that would be, time and space preclude even a casual consideration of the forces, influences and personalities that go into the development of a church with all its organizations. This account must, of necessity, stay with the barest of facts as they relate to the church.
“WHERE THE WATER’S COOL FLOW...” 1826.1846 - Limestone Baptist Church, later Monroeville Baptist Church, and still later, First Baptist Church of Monroeville, was constituted in November 1826. ft was not the earliest church in the bounds of present-day Monroe County, but was one of the earliest. The site chosen for the new church was strategic.
The first known Baptist church in Monroe County, the present boundaries having been fixed in 1821, is Salem Baptist Church, 1817, situated just west of the town of Mexia near the westernmost border of the county. Not far away, at Claiborne, a church was organized in 1818, but is non-existent now. Burnt Corn Baptist Church, on the extreme eastern edge, started in 1821. Little River Baptist Church, at the very southern end of the county began in 1823. Both are active today. Indian Springs Baptist Church, at the northern rim of the county, originated in 1825,but now is in Pine Barren Association. Let a circle represented Monroe County, and these four churches ring the county.
Limestone Baptist Church then chose a site thought to be the exact center of the county. Why that choice? The question evokes many reasonable answers, the best of which seems to be that the hand of a providential God was leading his chosen people of that moment. They laid a strong foundation for a meeting house of rough logs that was to symbolize the strength of the church yet to be.
There, near Limestone Creek, a short distance from the crossroad that was to become Monroeville, was born the First Baptist Church, which would be ready twenty years hence to move into the village. Thus did God set His church’s feet upon a productive pathway leading at this celebration of joy in observance of 175 years of activity in His name and under His leading.
All that is known of the details of organization is found in Salem Baptist Church minutes, whose pastor, Elder John Ellis, secured permission on August 26, 1826, to “receive and baptize persons at the new meeting house on Limestone Creek in behalf of this (Salem) church.” Brother Ellis reported to Salem in September and October the names of those received at Limestone. Then on November 25, 1826, Salem granted letters for those same people. Thus, fourteen names from Salem’s minutes are the known charter members of Limestone. They are: Jilson and Lucy Harvin, Daniel Boosman, Menan and Jane Coleman, Pansy McWilliams, Alexander McMillan, Sarah Kennada, Rebecca Kennada, Elizabeth Mann, Mahala Massy, Cathaut Williams, Rachel Harvin, and Lotty, a black woman belonging to Brother Coleman.
The action of Salem Church reveals several things. First, a new meeting house on Limestone Creek was already in use before the church was constituted. Second, in today’s terminology, Limestone began as a mission of Salem Church. Third, Brother Ellis was already the pastor. Fourth, slaves, or blacks, belonged to the same church. In some churches, blacks numbered as many, or more than whites.
After its organization Limestone “delegates” (we now call them “messengers”) attended Bethlehem Association in its annual session of September 1827, requesting Limestone’s affiliation with the body, and “being found orthodox in the faith was cordially admitted.” Thirty members were reported.
Bethlehem Baptist Association, organized in 1816, the first association to be formed on Alabama soil, was composed of churches in Clarke, Washington, Monroe and Conecuh counties. Gradually the other counties formed their own associations and by 1888 Bethlehem Association consisted of Monroe County alone. Association minutes are one of the best sources of information about the churches, especially if church records are lost.
The swaddling church was not free from difficulties. The anti-missionary spirit was abroad in the land, and many churches suffered its debilitating influence. No small number were swept away by it. An early Alabama Baptist historian mentions that Limestone had excluded its pastor for “disorderly conduct,” a term that covered a broad range of offenses from absenteeism, profanity, indulgence in ardent spirits to any kind of doctrinal deviation. Pastors and people alike were subject to such church discipline. Limestone once requested help from Salem in settling some differences. Salem named three men to respond to the request.
The only list of members from this period, aside from the few charter members mentioned, is found in a pocket-size memorandum book now at Mobile College, where Elder Jacob H. Schroebel, pastor from 1838 to 1841, wrote the names of people he baptized, as well as those married by him. More than fifty persons, both black and white, are listed in the little book, a Xerox copy of which, with typescript of names, plus an index, may be examined in the church library, as well as Monroe County Library.
Limestone Church remained in its first location until 1846, when tradition has it, the log “meeting house” burned. Who knows, this another difficulty to overcome, may have been God’s way of leading His church to a more advantageous site.
“BUT GOD GIVES A SONG. . .“ 1847-1920 — Perhaps the burning of the log meeting house provided the motivation for moving into town. Or, could it be that by this time some wished they had located in town? Monroeville had become the county seat in 1832. Anyway it may be well said, “The church burned up and then went to town.”
Property on Pineville Road was given by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hendrix in 1846. The framed, original handwritten deed now hangs below a painting of the church in the library. An error in writing the document is proof that First Baptist was once indeed Limestone Church. The party of the second part was written in as “Limestone Baptist Church.” “Limestone” is then crossed out and “Monroeville” written in above. The deed thus dates the beginning of the move to Monroeville as well as the change of name.
According to an article in the Monroe Journal in March 1926, just recently come to light, the congregation gathered at the new church “by appointment” on March 13, 1847. It was a picturesque little frame building that served the church for the next seventy-five or eighty years. ft stood across the road and a bit to the east of the present sanctuary. It was customary to have a Saturday night as well as Sunday services on the once-a-month preaching appointment.
Beginning in 1851 the association vigorously promoted the establishment of Sunday Schools. Today a church would not be without a Sunday School. Then, Sunday Bible study was a novel idea opposed by many a Baptist. As the new idea prevailed, Sunday Schools spread and soon were meeting every Sunday, even when there would be no preaching. Sunday School became the icing on the cake, or more appropriately, the butter on the bread for the sustenance and growth of the church. Not before 1878, however, does the report show twenty in Monroeville’s Sunday Bible study. And it was another six years before the name of a superintendent was reported. Mr. J. W. Leslie held the post for fifteen years or more. Occasionally the officers and teachers were shown to number five to eight.
This period seems to have been a peaceful time. The anti-missionary movement had lost its early aggressive tendencies. Their members had dropped out to form their own churches and associations, leaving the churches free to pursue the missionary imperative which they found inherent in the gospel. As the Lord led, and as finances permitted, they reached out to “destitute wilderness” places. With contributions from the churches, meager as they were, the association employed a missionary to “ride” the territory carrying the message of salvation. Pastors were few in number but they gave freely of their time when not engaged in preaching to or shepherding their own little flocks.
Town and church grew simultaneously. Membership peaked at 126 in 1860, but numbers dwindled following the war years. For one thing, black members dropped out to form their own churches, often with the help of their white church sponsors. By 1878 the association discontinued reporting black members in its statistics. The decline hit bottom in 1887 with only 71 members left, a lost of 55 in twenty-seven years. But the tide turned. From 1887 on, each year saw a slight increase. It was good, slow, steady growth.
An interesting development of 1897 was the formation of a “field” by Monroeville, Philadelphia, Barbara Locklin and Burn Corn churches. They would call the same pastor who would serve each church one Sunday per month. Together they could provide a home for him in Monroeville.
The corner lot immediately east of the present sanctuary was purchased and a modest home was built. Pastors used this home until it was demolished and a new one constructed in 1952. Probably ten Monroeville pastors used the old home. It is not known when the “field” was discontinued.
A glance at the earliest extant minutes, 1907-1911, reveal that times were hard. They were to be harder. The church had little money but much determination and perseverance. God was leading still.
As 1920 approached the church felt that a move downtown would be the best step to take. Growth had been steady for some time, and the church was literally bursting at the seams with nearly 200 enrolled in Sunday School and 256 church members.
After all the years fraught with the trials of pioneer living, a devastating war plus the construction that followed, the future at last brightened. It was a long way from Limestone Creek.
“SOMETIMES IN THE VALLEY... SOMETIMES ON THE MOUNT.. .“ 1921-1946
Property was acquired on Courthouse Square and a brick building typical of much of the architecture of the period was erected. It is said to have taken several years to complete. The structure was imposing. The high, wide steps rose to the sanctuary on the second floor level above a full basement. Tall white columns set off the beautiful stained glass windows. Looking south, it faced directly into Alabama Avenue. It was thought to be a most commodious house of worship with ample Sunday School space for years to come. At some point money was borrowed from the Home Mission Board for a part of the cost.
It was easy to build on the square — not so easy to keep on the square and pay the debt. Some thought, it is said, this was too great an undertaking, but the stout-hearted had prevailed, the building was in use. And now the hard part. Legendary stories are told about how the women of the church worked to earn money for their contributions toward the payments.
The decades of the 20’s, 30’s and half the 40’s could be looked upon as a time when the church grew up, maturing to full stature. If trials bring strength, then Monroeville church had muscles enough to overcome any adversary of the future.
The Rev. W. B. McCrary became pastor in 1920, perhaps while construction was in progress. B 1924 membership had grown to 352 with the Sunday School increasing to 271. At last there seemed to be room for all.
In 1927 the Rev. William H. Black became pastor. It is noteworthy that he was elected moderator of the Bethlehem Baptist Association that year at the first meeting he attended. Subsequently he was re-elected each year for the nearly fourteen years he remained in Monroeville.
Reading a bare summary of happenings from 1927 through 1940, and a bit beyond, is an exercise in compassion. Church and pastor struggled together through the morass of debt with few rays of light piercing the gloom. Their valiant efforts point to the great contrast between then and now.
1930. In July an all out effort to pay off $7500.00 on mortgage to the Home Mission Board, including local debts, led by Mr. George Austin, Field Manager of the Church Building Loan Fund, HMB, resulted in raising $3,834.52; the church Woman’s Missionary Society assumed a $1,000.00 note at the bank, leaving balance of $2,627.51 owing.
1933. The pastor suggested a slogan for the church which might lift their spirits, as well as motivate members spiritually: “Every member a worshipper. Every worshipper a worker. Every worker a giver. Every giver a spiritual force.” The Finance Committee tried to sell cemetery lots to apply on local debts.
1934. Pledges fell $200.00 short of the budget and efforts to borrow at the bank failed. The pastor’s salary was woefully in arrears. A drastic suggestion for the church to revert to half-time status had no support. The $30.00 cost of painting the roof was a major expense.
The Home Mission Board would reduce the interest from six to four percent provided $134.00 could be paid. A committee appointed had two responsibilities: to raise the $134.00, and to raise enough expense money to send the pastor to the Southern Baptist Convention in Fort Worth, Texas.
Two members offered to give $10.00 each for every $100.00 raised on the total indebtedness. A balance from sale of cemetery lots was applied to the pastor’s salary. In December the pledges again fell short of the budget, but in one meeting the deacons chipped in $1.00 to help build a church in Mosteller, Alabama.
1935. The Home Mission Board again offered to help raise funds and Mr. Austin was urged to come, but three months later his visit was postponed until fall. (ft may be well to remember that the Home Mission Board at this point was hardly any better off then the Monroeville church.)
1937. The proverbial straw that would appear to break the camel’s back came with someone, whether a member is not clear, claiming $300.00 owned from a loan at the time of construction. Though the building is now fifteen years old, this claim was eventually satisfied with payment of $100.00. A $400.00 note at the bank had to be renewed after paying the interest. Another drive netted $424.00 but fell $500.00 short of the goal. The $400.00 note was again renewed.
1940. Some improvement in finances is seen in January but by April it was necessary to borrow $250.00 at the bank. The deacons raised $50.00 to send Brother Black to Ridgecrest but when he decided not to go the money was returned to the donors, or credited to them on the church books. One of the rare times a homecoming is mentioned in the minutes was on September 22. Every member was asked to give a penny for every year of his or her age. The $127.66 given was applied toward a much needed heating system. Then a committee was appointed to approach the Woman’s Missionary Society to get them to consider buying the heating system. Their answer is not recorded.
Brother Black tendered his resignation, effective December 1,1940. Quickly the deacons recommended making “a clean slate of all indebtedness before a new pastor would come.” The amount needed was $520.00, but in November $125.00 borrowed at the bank was added. Though so little time remained, a drive was planned with the Home Mission Board assisting. The outcome is not recorded. But from this point no more debts from this era are mentioned. The church has ascended out of the valley to the mount.
A Pulpit Invitation Committee was named as follows: Mrs. Karl Lazenby, B. B. Finklea, A. B. Blass, Mrs. J. T. Moore and H. G. Greer. The Sunday following the completion of Brother Black’s ministry, the Rev. J. V. Springer, from Hueytown, Alabama, preached at the evening service. An immediate call to be pastor was extended and accepted. His work began on New Year’s Day, 1941.
The letter to the association for 1940 reveals statistics of 455 members and 311 on the Sunday School roll. If church growth was an indication of God’s leadership through the flood waters of debt, then it would appear He had His hand and eye on the situation all the time.
“On the Mount” decisions for the next five years allow us a look at the church in other interests beside its problems. The change of name from Monroeville Baptist Church to First Baptist Church of Monroeville came in January 1941. And soon there was discussion of starting a building fund with “surplus funds” (happy sound) placed in Defense Bonds. The conclusion that already more space is needed is evident.
A church library was approved in June, 1942, with $10.00 later allocated for its use. Miss Gladys Watson was in charge. Permission was granted to use part of the basement for recreation, specific plans to be worked out by the young people along with Harold Massey, $50.00 being designated to initiate the project. A church bulletin was begun and left to the pastor’s discretion, with the secretary being paid an extra $5.00 per month for its preparation. The earliest surviving copy is dated on Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943.
Contrasting with the heretofore seemingly insurmountable debts, in January 1944, the church accepted a quota of $1411.00 as its share in paying off Alabama State Convention debts.
Well into World War II, First Baptist joined with the other churches in an “On to Victory” service honoring all service men of the community. A service flag inscribed with names of Baptist men in service was displayed in the church.
In the summer of 1945 the Intermediate age group (13-17) was crowded out and a plea for space was heard from them as well as some space for the Boy Scouts. The following year the pastor with Mr. H. G. Greer was authorized to seek another staff person as assistant pastor/youth director to help with the growing and expanding enrollments.
By this time the building fund had grown to $16,530.00, plus another $5,000.00 in an organ fund, all in government bonds. Quite a change in five short years. A building committee was appointed.
Just as the pendulum is on the up-swing, the pastor resigned as of June 30, 1946. A call was shortly extended to the Rev. L. Reed Polk of Madison, Georgia. His letter of acceptance was received September 15, 1946.
Beginning the next month, Wednesday night prayer services were started in connection with the meeting of Sunday School teachers and officers. The church voted to proceed with enlargement of the existing building to care for 565 members, as well as 418 Sunday School enrollment.
“THE SUN SHINES SO BRIGHT .“ 1946-1974 — Dr. Reed Polk continued with the church until his retirement in 1974. Honoring Dr. and Mrs. Polk on their 25th anniversary with the church in September 1971, a beautiful brochure was published summarizing their ministry. Among the interesting information found in the booklet is an account entitled A 25-YEAR BUILDING PROGRAM, the gist of which follows:
“1947-48 Educational building was erected as an addition to the church on Courthouse Square. 1949 Nursery building added and adult Sunday School rooms. 1952 First Baptist erected first unit of Southside Baptist Church, which began as a mission in 1951. 1952 New pastorium completed on Pineville Road at cost of $25,000 and paid for that year. 1953 Lindsey Building (now Cal Gas Co.) and lots on Courthouse Square purchased for more than $55,000 as tentative plans developed to build new sanctuary downtown. 1957 Sunday School attendance reached nearly 400 and downtown expansion plans were abandoned in favor of moving to property on Pineville Road, adjacent to pastorium, already owned by church. 1958-59 Present educational building completed in March and congregation moved to this site, with building being used as temporary sanctuary. 1964 New sanctuary occupied and dedicated in July; also land known as Rikard property next to sanctuary purchased. 1967 Parking lot back of church blacktopped (where CAC now stands). These additions were financed by bond issues, plus monies on hand and that raised in cash donations.”
Coming not quite full-circle, the church now has an ideal location just across the street from her second building site, where, even then, the Baptist Cemetery was developing.
Early in 1946 there had been some discussion about employment of an additional staff member. The resignation of the pastor about that time probably brought the discussion to an end. However, Miss Anna Gene Norris was employed for a time as educational director in 1956.
In June 1962 Mr. John Ellzey began work with the church as music and youth director for about three years. Mr. Ronald Jackson then filled that position for two years. With some others filling in between, Mr. A. B. Blass was employed September 17, 1969 to direct the adult and youth choirs. The following year his duties were expanded to include the graded choir program.
During the same time, Mike Brunson was employed as youth and educational director. Mike Avant worked for several summers through this period as youth minister and assistant to the pastor. Mr. Reid Whittington came to the church in August 1971 as youth and educational director and stayed until mid 1978. Under his leadership the youth mission trips became annual events.
Much could be said about the growth of the church not oniy in numbers but in its spiritual maturity, its mission outreach, and its concern for community welfare. Now that the drudgery of paying debts, not to mention weekly expenses, was no longer a grinding burden, more effort and thought could go toward spiritual development. God, in His leadership, seemed to be rewarding His people for their years of toil and faithfulness.
“THROUGH GRACE WE CAN CONQUER.. .“ 1974-1986 - Following Dr. Polk’s retirement, Dr. Robert H. Jackson was installed as pastor. The Rev. Ralph E. Gwin, a retired Southern Baptist pastor and member of the church since earlyl972, served as interim pastor.
Back on Courthouse Square, purchase of a pipe organ had been a long-time, recurring topic of discussion by deacons and church, and a fund had been accumulated for that purpose. Then the organ was given to the church by Mrs. D. D. Mims in memory of her husband. They were the parents of Susyè Mims Lazenby (Mrs. Karl J.). Installed in the church on the square, it was moved to the new sanctuary in 1964. An early church action in this period was to repair, add some equipment and otherwise bring the organ up to its fullest potential, at a cost of more than $18,000. A letter of explanation, including history of the organ, was sent to the members.
Among many mentionable actions of the church in this part of its history was the purchase of three fifteen-passenger vans to be used for numerous trips such as mission work, choir, retreats, senior adults, as well as transportation to various church-related meetings about the county, not to mention transportation to Sunday services.
Needless to say, the construction of the Christian Activity Center dominated thinking and action during its planning, development and erection. Not only has it been a welcome addition for recreational purposes, but it has added considerably to available Sunday School space, the most recent being sale of the bowling equipment and transformation of that area into classes and assembly room.
The sanctuary sound system was made possible by funds bequeathed the church by Katherine Samford Smith (Mrs. Albert J.) who had been active in all areas of church life from the time she moved to Monroeville about 1946, until her death in 1978. Among many other things, she was president of Woman’s Missionary Union of Alabama for six years.
Mr. Richard (Ricky) Parker was the first Recreation and Activities director to work in the new Christian Activity Center. His coming coincided with completion of the building. Open House and dedication came Nov. 19, 1978.
Mr. Keith Hibbs was called in January 1979 to give full time to the music ministry, plus educational duties. The following year Mr. Stan Albright became youth and activities director. These classifications of duties were rearranged with other personnel to be Music and Youth, Education and Activities.
Dr. Jackson resigned as of February 8, 1981, to go to Brandon, Miss. Again Brother Ralph Gwin was elected by the church to be interim pastor, with Brother John Finklea, who had been ordained to the gospel ministry on December 13, 1978, and was serving as pastor at Burnt Corn, to assist as interim pastor. During this time Keith Hibbs and Stan Albright were also ordained to their respective ministries.
It was not until September, 1981, that the Pastor Search Committee recommended the Rev. N. Vince Whittington of Hiawassee, Georgia, be called as pastor. By the time the church celebrated its 160th anniversary Brother Whittington had completed five years in Monroeville.
With the resignation of Keith Hibbs effective December 24, 1982, to join the staff at Baptist Headquarters in Montgomery, the present Minister of Music and Youth, Mr. Glenn Eubanks, was called in April, 1983. He was scarcely on the field before Stan Albright also resigned in order to attend Southwestern Seminary. Mr. Rodney Puryear shortly began his work as Minister of Education.
The 1985-86 year ended with Sunday School enrollment of 832 and average attendance of 415, with total church membership 1127.
1987 to 2001
There has been virtually no change in the number of church members since 1986. Fifteen years ago, the membership was 880 and as of September 2001, the membership increased by six members to 886. Of the members lost since 1986, 155 died and 302 transferred their church letter. There were 215 members gained from baptism and 215 from church letters.
Membership has remained constant but not the church’s budget. In 1986, the budget was $415,815 and this year the budget has grown to $717,861 which is a 73 percent increase.
Some of the staff changes include the resignation of the Rev. Vince Whittington in April, 1990. A month later, Glenn Eubanks was appointed associate pastor in conjunction with his duties as the music and youth director. Also in May, 1990, the Rev. Sam Granade was called as the interim pastor.
A year later in 1991 Dr. Randy Adkisson was named pastor. Building custodian Ezra Skinner resigned in 1992. Woodrow Ikner was named the custodian. Dr. Adkisson resigned in 1998. The Rev. Dale Huff served as interim pastor until August, 1999, when the Rev Wayne McMillian was named pastor. During the last year, the church has called Kevin Castleberry as minister of discipleship and missions and D.W, Fenwick as youth minister.
Major physical additions include the erection of the fellowship hall, kitchen, and children’s Sunday School wing. The Brantley property adjacent to the Fellowship Hall, which includes a parking lot and classrooms for the youth, was purchased in 1996. In 1999, the church paved the parking lot adjacent to the Fellowship Hall, remodeled the old Fellowship Hall for a choir suite and the pastor’s office, and erected a new, lighted church sign in front of the sanctuary. With the exception of the youth house (part of the Brantley property) all properties and physical additions have been paid for.
A backward look is good. Look where the church has been. But the look to the future is more important. Where will it go now? Is the church willing to continue to let God lead? May the great and majestic name of our God and our loving Saviour have the praise eternally for the good that has been done. And may He not only continue to lead us, but may He also be near to TEACH US WHAT WE YET MAY BE.
History prepared by: Nina B. Gwin (1826-1 986) and George T Jones and Bo Bolton (1987-2001)
