Boaz’s Sardis Baptist Church celebrates 125 years of service

Sardis Baptist Church, Boaz, in Marshall Baptist Association celebrated more than a century of service and sacrifice during its 125th anniversary service May 6.
  
During the past year, the history committee recorded the church history and published it in a special book, which was read during the anniversary service. 
  
The service also featured songs from various stages in Sardis Baptist’s history and comments from several former pastors. 
  
After the message, delivered by Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, those in attendance shared a meal under a tent outside. 
  
“The reason Sardis Baptist Church has thrived and survived is because of the missions work the church does in reaching out to other people,” said Pastor Mike Goforth. 
  
Founded in 1882 by a small group of Baptist families, the church met in a one-room log building in Marshall County. Since its humble beginnings, the congregation has built three new buildings, moved to Etowah County and endured several rounds of renovations. 
  
According to history committee member Linda Maddox, Sardis’ growth required sacrifice. 
  
“A church doesn’t just spring up overnight,” said Maddox, a member since 1979. “Many sacrifices were made in order for the church to become what it is today. The heritage of this church says a lot (about it).”
  
According to her, because of wars, building supplies were not always readily available for church building projects. 
  
In October 1943, church members meeting in a white-frame building voted to build a new brick building. Construction was delayed until April 1945 because of World War II and the War Production Board, a wartime government agency that directed procurement and production programs. The new brick church was dedicated April 4, 1948. 
  
Sardis’ current worship center was dedicated in November 1998.
  
Maddox said descendants of the families who donated land for the church are members today. During times of war and hardship, members planted unused land with cotton and put the money in the church fund for future use. They also planted crops to help feed the wives and children of soldiers during the world wars. 
  
“To see how the church worked together with the community makes me think a whole lot more of my church,” Maddox said. (TAB)