For many years the elegant design of First Baptist Church in Troy has been a landmark of the city. This year the church is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Recently the church moved into its enlarged and reoriented sanctuary. The work was done so well that it is hard to believe everything is not an original part of the building. Brother Ed Walter has served as pastor of the church for two years.
Things are also looking good at churches in Muscle Shoals Association. For the last couple of years Moulton Baptist Church has been involved in new construction and renovation. Brother Darryl Woods has been pastor there for 15 years.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church has a new sanctuary and new office space. The church is located on Ala-bama Highway 33 south of Moulton. Pastor Jackie Shelton has served Pleasant Grove for 19 years.
Baptists in central Alabama have had building on their minds lately, too. Clanton’s West End Baptist Church moved into a new sanctuary last fall but already has had to bring in extra chairs to accommodate the crowds. Pastor Tony Smitherman has been serving there nearly five years.
First Baptist Church of Clanton plans to break ground for a $1.5 million Christian Life Center in May. Brother Larry Michael, the church’s pastor since 1995, said the construction will fulfill a dream the church has had since 1976.
In Colbert-Lauderdale Association, First Baptist Church in Florence recently completed a $1.8 million renovation project that bridged an alley and tied the church’s buildings together. The church has also arranged a purchase/swap of adjoining property owned by the regional library. Pastor Larry Wright came in 1991.
Woodmont Baptist Church of Florence hopes to break ground next year on a new $5 million worship center. Brother Bill Trapp has been serving as pastor at Woodmont for 13 years.
For the past two and one-half years Bro. Trapp has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (often called Lou Gehrig’s disease). His principal difficulties so far are in speaking and in swallowing.
Church member Eddy Garner, Baptist Campus Ministries leader at the University of North Ala-bama, now preaches each Sunday.
Woodmont shows love not only for its pastor but also for strangers. Last year Woodmont “adopted” two government–subsidized apartment complexes. For several months, members have been showing consideration for the residents in a different way each month. One recent month ladies in the church gave free haircuts to children in the apartments. This month the church is providing help with tax returns.
“We have gotten the attention of those people,” said Bro. Trapp. “I can’t wait to see what is going to happen.”
Also getting attention lately has been an elegant, new brick marker in front of the new sanctuary at First Baptist in Trussville. One part of the roadside marker displays constantly changing messages.
But on Valentine’s Day, a sign at First Baptist in Jemison spoke of an unchanging message. It read: “God’s love note —John 3:16.”
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