For the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission (ABHC), winning the prestigious Davis C. Woolley Award for Outstanding Achievement in State Baptist History is twice as nice.
Presented March 23 during this year’s meeting of the Baptist History and Heritage Society (BHHS) in Pensacola, Fla., this honor marks the first time any state has received the award twice. ABHC last received the honor in 1992.
ABHC executive director Frances Hamilton was delighted to accept the award. “This award honors all who have given time, expertise and resources to preserve and share our great Alabama Baptist heritage,” said Hamilton. “It was especially gratifying to be given recognition for doing a ministry that is essentially a labor of love. God has blessed us greatly and we look forward with great enthusiasm to opportunities that await us.”
In presenting the award to Hamilton, Daun Gentry Kent, chair of the Woolley Award Committee and president-elect of the BHHS, noted the committee’s choice was based on the depth, breadth and high quality of the ABHC ministries.
The plaque presented to the ABHC cites the following accomplishments in 2000:
Providing a valuable microfilming ministry for Alabama Baptists.
Conducting oral history interviews with Alabama Baptists.
Distributing important publications: “The Alabama Baptist Historian” and “Legacies”
Publishing memoirs of former state convention executives, a brochure series and a historical color book for children.
Producing an Alabama Baptist Historical Calendar
Delivering 244 preservation packets to churches and associations throughout Alabama
Presenting anniversary certificates in person to 75 Alabama churches and one association
Awarding research grants to individuals
Developing a records retention schedule for churches
Donating $1,000 toward the work of the Southern Baptist Historical Society
The award is given in memory of Alabama native Davis C. Woolley. After service as pastor, Alabama Training Union secretary and director of the Howard College Extension Department, Woolley was named executive secretary of the SBC Historical Commission, an office he held from 1959 until his death in 1970. As well as directing the work of the Historical Commission, Woolley wrote and published articles and books, initiated and edited Baptist History and Heritage and proposed and directed publication of the third volume in the “Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists.”
The ABHC was created by the Alabama Baptist State Convention in 1965. Among its various ministries are microfilming, oral history, recognition of anniversaries, publication, photographic survey and research grants.
(ABHC)
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