Nothing but positive remarks came from the 187 people who attended the 125th anniversary celebration at Bellview Baptist Church, McCalla, according to anniversary committee member Judith Heatherly.
Heatherly said it was a “very unique” celebration.
Lonette Berg of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presented a commemorative plaque at the celebration Nov. 20. Billy Gray, interim director of missions for Tuscaloosa Baptist Association, spoke a few words of encouragement to the church.
Hilda Turner, Bellview Baptist’s historian, researched and compiled a historical timeline to share. There was a special choir performance and a slideshow with pictures, names and ages of members who had passed away. Members of Bellview’s women’s ministry decorated each luncheon table with old-fashioned items like perfume bottles, kitchen items and men’s shaving kits. Royal Masters Quartet, of Birmingham, also performed in the afternoon.
But November marked more than just an anniversary for Bellview, Heatherly said. The church also called a new pastor, Tim Hassler, who will be taking on his role Dec. 18.
And Gray has high hopes for the “strategically located” church. He said he recently drove around McCalla and saw several new housing developments and construction.
“I hope [Bellview] will take advantage of their resources and reach out and minister to the people in [their community],” Gray said.
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