New Salem Baptist Church near Somerville, which was established before Alabama was a state, celebrated its 200th anniversary May 18.
Approximately 125 attended the celebration at the Morgan Baptist Association church, which is in the Center Grove community.
David Estes, chairman of deacons and church historian, said the exact date in 1814 that the church began is uncertain. For that reason, the church chose to mark the occasion on its decoration and homecoming day, which it observes the third Sunday in May.
New Salem Baptist started as two churches about 2 miles apart, Estes said. One church — Salem Indian Mission — began with 11 men and met in a log structure. Its mission was to evangelize American Indians. The other church — Center Point Baptist — began with nine men meeting in a wooden building.
In August 1903, the two churches combined, using Center Point’s building and Salem’s name, Estes said. It was called New Salem Baptist.
At the 200th celebration, Estes presented medals to preachers who came from New Salem, former pastors and deacons. He gave the church a plaque to commemorate its bicentennial. The day’s theme was “Don’t Stop Now; Let Us Continue for Another 200 Years Serving God.”
Lonette Berg, executive director of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, gave the church a certificate. She noted it is one of the oldest Southern Baptist churches in the state.
Former New Salem pastor Gary Peebles — now pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Eva — delivered the message based on Hebrews 10. Following the service was a meal and a singing featuring New Beginning. Terry Hudson, a member of the group, is a former pastor of New Salem.
Pastor Eric Thomas said New Salem’s longevity is the result of members following God’s leadership, loving people, serving the community and instilling those attributes in subsequent generations. “There has been a strong commitment to the Lord,” Thomas said.
His vision for the church, which has an average Sunday morning worship attendance of 30–35, is growth and service. “We still have a good calling that we’re there (to fulfill),” Thomas said.
(Leigh Pritchett)
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