Local focus helps church grow like ‘weed’

In the Weed community in Crenshaw County, there’s a small country church with big-hearted people.

So says Ed Russell, pastor of Weed Baptist Church. And he says because of the big hearts in the congregation — some of whom still have the family name “Weed” — the Alabama-Crenshaw Baptist Association church is growing like a weed, too.

“I’ve never been associated with a church that’s opened up and let others come in and be welcome and a part of the church like they do,” said Russell, who was recently called to Weed Baptist’s pastorate. “They are wonderful people, tenderhearted toward the cares of others.”

The church got its start a little more than a half-century ago when members got the money together to buy a local school building no longer in use, according to Burta Lou Weed, the church’s oldest member. In the time since, Weed Baptist members have turned the building into a hub for community outreach.

“We’re a small church but we try to reach others as best we can,” she said.

Averaging 55 each Sunday, the church in the small community has grown slowly but steadily over the years, according to Deacon Chairman Aubrey Carlisle.

“The church is really community-minded,” Russell said. “It’s a pleasure to be there each Sunday.”