In one word, First Baptist Church, Elba, could be described as “persevering.” After all, in its 125 years, the Coffee Baptist Association church has had 29 pastors, 10 music ministers, nine secretaries and six youth and children ministers. It has withstood multiple building renovations and additions, successfully planted a mission church and survived three floods.
“This church’s greatest quality is that they keep going and working together,” said minister to students Melodee Davis. “They have an attitude of doing whatever needs to be done and working hard until the goal is accomplished.”
Two of the most recent obstacles First, Elba, has had to overcome were floods that drastically impacted its community, first in 1990 and then again in 1998.
The 1990 flood caused the most damage to the church building, but it was restored with dedication from members combined with generous assistance from people all over the country. First, Elba, received donations of new hymnals, kitchen appliances, pianos, an organ and more.
“We were so fortunate after both floods to have the help we did,” said Judith Tucker, pianist and a church member since 1968. “They were discouraging situations but we just helped each other out to try to overcome the tragedies. We did what had to be done.”
Currently the church is without both a pastor and music minister, but in true First, Elba, fashion, it is standing strong and had a distinctive and energetic celebration to mark its 125th anniversary Oct. 7.
“The main thing I remember was the music,” said Davis of the special anniversary service. “It was the first time in the three years I’ve been here that the music has been so powerful.”
In addition to the music, which included a performance by the southern gospel/contemporary group Psalm 4, the service included a sermon from former pastor Doug Dortch and a presentation of the church’s history.
Then, after the service, it was time to feast.
“We had enough food to feed the whole town,” Tucker said.
Special guests of the day were members of nearby Westside Baptist Church, a congregation that First, Elba, began as a mission in 1953. Today, more than 50 years later, the churches still celebrate their connection and maintain their relationship.
“In the 1950s, some members at [First, Elba] felt that many people in the town were not being reached by a church,” said Miriam Farris, who has attended the church for 78 years.
“They thought that maybe people needed a smaller church to go to, because at that time, [First, Elba] was rather large. So several of our members went across town and started Westside Baptist in 1953, and on Nov. 3, 1957, it became a church.”
As for First, Elba, it has proven to be a strong-willed congregation.
“The people are really the reason why the church has lasted so long,” Tucker said. “We have survived a lot together, and we are still just as loving and caring as ever. We’ve had excellent preachers and we have a church family who never forgets that we are coming together for the purpose of worshiping God.”
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