Glencoe’s Cohorn marks 50 years of preaching

On July 29, James Wallis Cohorn celebrated 50 years in the preaching ministry. The milestone occasion was marked with a reception at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Glencoe, in Calhoun Baptist Association, where Cohorn currently serves as interim pastor. He preached his first sermon at Leatherwood Baptist Church, Anniston, July 28, 1957. Cohorn had earlier answered God’s call to preach at Leatherwood Baptist and was later licensed and ordained there. His first pastorate began Oct. 19, 1958, at Liberty Baptist Church, Spring Garden.
He has since served as pastor of a number of Alabama churches, including East Centre Baptist, Centre; Wagarville Baptist; Gladeview Baptist, Anniston; James Memorial Baptist, Gadsden; West Point Baptist, Jacksonville; Blue Mountain Baptist, Anniston; Blue Springs Baptist, Oxford; and Oak Grove Baptist. A graduate of Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, Cohorn holds a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While in seminary, he was pastor of Fort Bayou Baptist Church, Ocean Springs, Miss.

Retired from the pastorate since 1998, Cohorn has continued teaching, preaching and playing an active role in Alabama Baptist life. Over the years, he has served as moderator of Calhoun Association, taught in Samford’s extension program and served on the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. Cohorn is a member of Parker Memorial Baptist Church, Anniston, where he has taught Sunday School classes. Since his retirement, he has held a number of interim pastorates around the state.