The Alabama Baptist Historical Commission has several programs geared to recognizing and preserving the histories of churches and encouraging research among the younger generation.
Frances Hamilton, the commission’s executive director, said a microfilm program is available free of charge to churches within the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
Two copies are made of a church’s records. The positive copy goes in the special collections of Samford University; the negative copy is kept in on-site storage at the university.
This service, Hamilton said, has been going on since the 1950s.
She added that the university library makes microfilm copies for churches from other denominations.
The second program focuses on celebrating milestones of Alabama Baptist churches.
Hamilton said churches may receive this recognition beginning with the 25th anniversary and on subsequent ones in 25 year increments (50th, 75th, 100th, etc.) To get this special recognition, churches need to notify the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission of the upcoming anniversary well before the anniversary celebration.
“We are always happy to be invited to attend anniversary celebrations,” said Hamilton.
The third effort encourages young people to become interested in their heritage of faith.
Hamilton said two awards have been established to foster such research. The Thomas Shumaker Award is for college undergraduates, while the Hosea Holcombe Award is for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.
Hamilton said these award recognize research into Alabama Baptist history and writing in order to share the knowledge with others.
To contact the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, call 1-800-325-9863 or e-mail fdhamilt@samford.edu or llberg@samford.edu.
(TAB)
Share with others: