Jefferson Baptist Church, Demopolis, celebrated 203 years of ministry Sept. 10. Founded in 1820 by three Revolutionary War veterans as Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, the name was changed in 1944 to Jefferson Baptist. In 1977, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Jefferson Baptist has ebbed and flowed through many generations. Although devastated by the Civil War and its aftermath, the church persevered through intermittent services and itinerant preachers. In 1944, near the end of World War II, the name was changed from Mt. Pleasant to Jefferson Baptist, and in 1977 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Through the years, Jefferson Baptist and Jefferson Methodist churches developed a strong relationship that continues today. Sunday School meets at Jefferson Baptist, but worship services alternate between the two churches, who refer to themselves as “two churches; one family.” They meet at the Baptist church on the 1st and 3rd Sundays and the Methodist church on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.
The anniversary program began with David Compton ringing the church bells. Pam Baker arranged gorgeous fall flowers to decorate the sanctuary. Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, spoke at the celebration, preaching on preached on Col. 1:3-4, and Anna Speir presented a plaque to pastor Jake Duke. Revelators, a quartet from Grove Hill, provided special music.
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