First Baptist Church, Center Point, celebrated its 100-year anniversary March 16.
The Birmingham Baptist Association church held a meet-and-greet event in the afternoon March 15 and invited all those who played on the church’s baseball, softball, basketball and other athletic teams throughout the years.
On Sunday, an 8:30 a.m. breakfast was held before the morning service at 10 with a message from Mike Shaw, who grew up in the church and now serves as the pastor of First Baptist Church, Pelham. Shaw also was one of former pastor Ralph Feild’s “preacher boys.” Former pastor Ryan Whitley, who now serves as pastor of CrossPoint Baptist Church, Trussville (a mission church planted by First, Center Point), shared a message during the afternoon service at 3 p.m.
Referred to as an “anniversary reunion,” all former staff members and church members were invited to attend. In total the three events welcomed more than 1,200 people, said Billie Davis, the anniversary committee chairperson.
Former minister of music Clell Wright’s son, Joshua, wrote the hymn “Find Us Faithful” for the church and directed the choir in performing the piece. Other special music was performed by New Creation, and the choir was led by several former ministers of music throughout the services. Lonette Berg, executive director of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, presented the church with a commemorative plaque, as did Birmingham Association. Mayor Tom Henderson presented certificates from the city of Center Point and the office of Gov. Robert Bentley.
Davis had “memory rooms” — such as a missions room, day care room, bus ministry room, bride’s room and sports ministry room — set up throughout the church representing the ministries over the years with pictures and memorabilia from each.
Interim pastor Buddy McGohon said, “It was a terrific weekend and it gave the church a lot of opportunities to reconnect … a lot of affirmation on what the church has been able to accomplish by God’s grace … and a sense of hope for the future.”
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