Make sure Feb. 6 is marked on your calendar. That is the day we officially mark the 175th birthday of The Alabama Baptist and we want you to be a part of the celebration.
The place is Marion, Alabama, the original site of the state Baptist paper and home for many “firsts” in Alabama Baptist life. Judson College began there in 1838. So did Howard College (now Samford University) in 1841 and The Alabama Baptist in 1843.
Judson College will host the birthday celebration, but Siloam Baptist Church in Marion and Marion Military Institute (MMI) also are cooperating as are some of the town’s other attractions.
The celebration would make a wonderful outing for anyone interested in knowing more about Baptist history.
Local history
The day begins with an emphasis on local history. The interior of Siloam Baptist Church is much like it was when the church was built in 1849. At that time the church was the largest Baptist congregation in the state and one of the largest west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Many people have forgotten that when the Southern Baptist Convention organized in 1845, the convention’s Home Mission Board was headquartered in Marion. The city was then known as “the Athens of the South.” The original desk of the first leader of the Home Mission Board is still on display at the church as are many other historical artifacts.
MMI has agreed to open its campus so visitors can visit the chapel Howard College students used before the school relocated from Marion to East Lake in the Birmingham area in 1887. Several other objects related to Howard College also will be on display. MMI sits on the old Howard campus.
Another highlight will be Reverie, a historic Greek Revival mansion built circa 1858 which now serves as a historic house museum. The home offers glimpses of life in that historical period. And, of course, you will want to see the campus of Judson College and see the good things happening there.
All of this is before the celebration officially begins with a worship service in the Judson chapel at 11 a.m. Judson is a college for young women, and Jennifer Davis Rash, editor-elect of The Alabama Baptist, will be the featured speaker. The service also will feature the Judson choir.
After lunch, participants will be treated to presentations from the authors of the new book “The Alabama Baptist: 175 Years of Informing, Inspiring and Connecting.” Elizabeth Wells, retired archivist for Samford and primary researcher for the book, will share about Marion’s vital role in beginning and sustaining The Alabama Baptist state paper.
Grace Thornton, an award-winning journalist and lead writer for the book, will share information about the four editors of The Alabama Baptist during the 100 years the paper has been an entity of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
Participants will have opportunity to ask questions following each presentation.
A prayer emphasis acknowledging God’s blessings on the ministry of the state Baptist paper will be included. The prayer time will include a time to seek God’s guidance for this ministry as it continues to bind Alabama Baptists together through communications.
The prayer emphasis also will include a presentation from the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission acknowledging the 175th anniversary of The Alabama Baptist.
Not many 175-year-old ministries can still visit the building in which they were founded but The Alabama Baptist can. The building now sits on Judson’s campus, and participants will have opportunity to visit the structure and read the historical marker in front of the building placed there by the state of Alabama.
No birthday party would be complete without a birthday cake and this one is no exception. Participants will be invited to sing Happy Birthday to The Alabama Baptist and then enjoy birthday cake and punch. Program personalities will be available during this time to visit with participants.
For those unable to complete all the historical tours in the morning, second chance tours will be offered for Siloam Baptist Church and Judson College.
Cost for the day is only $15 with advanced registration. That covers the tours, the birthday celebration, lunch and a $5 discount for the new book telling the story of The Alabama Baptist for 175 years. This is the first book devoted to recounting how God has used and blessed this ministry over the years. The book will be available for purchase during the event.
Registration the day of the event will be $20.
Memorable occasion
The birthday celebration promises to be a memorable occasion. I hope you will attend and bring a friend. As mentioned above, the event would make a great outing for Baptist church groups and anyone interested in Baptist history. The tours alone are worth more than the cost of the whole day’s activities.
Mark your calendar. Make your plans and come to Marion, Alabama, on Feb. 6. Tours begin at 9 a.m. The program is expected to finish about 3 p.m.
For more information or to make your advanced registration, contact Linda Harrison at lharrison@thealabamabaptist.org or call at 1-800-803-5201.
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