Spencer Hudson has been a member of First Baptist Church, Hazel Green, for 25 years. He remembers attending services with his grandmother, Jimmie Sue Spencer, a charter member. When he was a boy, the size of the congregation numbered about 60 people. Now membership is close to 1,000.
Nov. 17 was a landmark day for the church. Some 600 members and guests worshiped in the new sanctuary of First, Hazel Green — one facet of a building program that also includes improved nursery facilities, office space and provisions for growth. Hudson, now in his 30s, chaired and spearheaded the building committee.
“The community has become more suburban, with younger families moving here,” Hudson said of Hazel Green, about 10 miles north of Huntsville.
“We wanted to meet current needs, but also have room to expand. In addition to the completed portion, we designed the addition with unfinished space for a fellowship hall above the office suite and an unfinished balcony that will accommodate 500 people.”
The fan-shaped worship center, which seats 900, includes a baptistery, choir loft, stage and balcony. Adjacent to the center are a music suite, chapel and bride’s room. The office suite brought the church’s previously scattered office staff into one area, and the nursery features up-to-date furnishings and construction features.
Under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Eads, who was called to Hazel Green in 1994, average Sunday School attendance has increased from 150 to about 350. The church will continue having two Sunday Schools.
“Before our worship center was completed, we were running two worship services, with attendance close to capacity,” said David Spiers, minister of music and education. “Potential for future growth is astonishing if we can provide the room.”
Hazel Green was established as a missions church of Union Grove Baptist Church, New Market. Organized in September 1966 as First Baptist Church, Hazel Green, members met in a home and later an old post office before building in the present location.
Hudson said the church began planning the latest addition in mid-1998.
With help from the Alabama Baptist State Convention and convention staff member Ken Miller (who is now retired), the church launched a “Challenge to Build” campaign led by church member Billy Reyer. Members raised $500,000 through the campaign, with bank loans financing the remaining amount.
Eads said his vision for the church emphasizes spiritual growth as well as physical growth. “We want to become a church that makes an impact in all of north Alabama,” he said. “We want to be known as a place where people can come as they are, be introduced to Jesus, be loved and grow more like Christ.”
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