First, Piedmont, celebrates 130th anniversary

First Baptist Church, Piedmont, celebrated its 130th anniversary Jan.23 with a nod to the past and a look toward the future.

Activities included a signing of “The Little Flock,” which documents the church’s first 125 years, by authors Benjamin B. Ingram and Bruce A. Crescenzi. The church also dedicated its Hall of Ministers, a display located in the church’s west wing that includes 120 photographs of pastors and associate pastors who have served there.

Ingram said the church also celebrated its history with the dedication of the church history museum. The museum includes church records, newspaper articles, memorabilia and other items.

Church members were asked to bring artifacts and sign a historical register. The items were included in time capsules that will be opened during the church’s 175th anniversary in 2045 and on the 200th anniversary in 2070.

More than 200 members, former staff and members, and special guests attended the celebration. Special guests included Piedmont Mayor George Hendrix and Piedmont Council members Walter Belt White (District 3 Commissioner for the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission) and Don and Charlotee Carroll (director of missions, Calhoun Baptist Association).

Ingram said the church realized a need for a history book when it celebrated its 125th anniversary five years ago.

“From that anniversary, in collecting memorabilia in the church, we thought (there) was a need to write a history book,” he said. “We realized there was a need to go back and try to get an accurate history of our church.”

Ingram said each chapter of the book is devoted to a pastor that served at the church.

“It’s chronological and refers to that particular history and time that pastor was here and all the ministries that occurred in the church,” he said.

Commenting on the title, Ingram said “The Little Flock” is from Luke 12:3, which was the first Scripture read at the church by Pastor Sterling Jenkins on Jan. 8, 1870.

Ingram said, “One thing that I hope the members of First Baptist can learn from this book is the history of how individuals in the past have scarified for that church.”