The 180th anniversary celebration of Grant’s Creek Baptist Church, Fosters, May 4 marked another chapter in the church’s history. This Tuscaloosa Baptist Association church’s story also figures prominently in the story of Alabama Baptists.
Small though it may be — average attendance for Sunday morning worship is around 140 — the church was instrumental in the establishment of several fixtures of Baptist life in Alabama. Chartered May 3, 1828, Grant’s Creek Baptist has been credited with establishing one of the first Sunday School programs in the state and facilitating the beginnings of Alabama’s Baptist colleges.
"Our people are kind of proud of the fact that the first discussion of what eventually birthed Samford University and Judson College took place at Grant’s Creek," said Pastor Mike Griffin.
According to Griffin, a meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention in 1833 at the church included discussion about the possible creation of an institution of higher learning to train preachers, which was realized in the founding of Howard College (now Samford) in 1841.
The discussion also made possible the creation of Judson in 1838 and the University of Mobile in 1961.
Judson President David Potts spoke at the 9:30 a.m. service, delivering a word of commendation for Grant’s Creek Baptist’s role in helping to establish the women’s college.
Pointing to another historical legacy, Griffin said Grant’s Creek Baptist member Martha Foster Crawford was a missionary to China for more than 50 years and was an early encourager to Lottie Moon, who stayed in Crawford’s home when she first arrived on the field.
Speaking at the anniversary service, Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, described Grant’s Creek Baptist as a "unique church family."
"They are 180 years old, and yet they are a lively church on mission with the Great Commission," he said. "The church represents the very best in Alabama Baptist life."
Lance presented Grant’s Creek Baptist with a certificate of appreciation recognizing its 180 years of support for Baptist life through its support of Sunday School and missions.
Highlighting the church’s support of missions during the service, Jerry Wilkins, director of missions for Tuscaloosa Association, shared information he gathered from the past 30 years.
During that period:
– Grant’s Creek Baptist baptized more than 300 people.
– Gifts through the Cooperative Program totaled almost $750,000.
– Almost $200,000 had been given to the associational missions program.
– Members tithed almost $5 million.
"Any church that has the history of Grant’s Creek is part of what makes Baptists in Alabama great," Wilkins said. "They have continued to stay faithful to the calling of God to be the church."
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