Bessemer pastor retires after 55 years of ministry

After 55 years of ministry — most of which took place in the Bessemer area — James L. Terpo retired from the pastorate of West Highland Baptist Church, Bessemer, in September.

Terpo, a native of Piper, served four Alabama Baptist churches, two Mississippi churches and one Mississippi association before coming back to serve at Canaan Baptist Church, Bessemer, in 1972. He later served as director of missions for Bessemer Baptist Association before becoming pastor of West Highland Baptist.

Terpo has also served as director/teacher of the Howard College Extension in Bessemer and with the Alabama Citizens Action Program in its drug and alcohol education program in various schools.

In retirement, he and his wife, Barbara, plan to spend more time with their two sons and one grandson, all of whom reside in Hoover.