On Aug. 18, Mount Hebron Baptist Church, Leeds, celebrated its 200th anniversary.
Pastor Chris Haralson brought the morning message and former pastor James Blair shared memories.
Presentations were made by Jim Swedenburg, from the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions; Chris Crain, executive director of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association; Lonette Berg, from the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission; Dickie Drake, from the Alabama House of Representatives; and David Miller, mayor of Leeds.
Special music was brought by Debby Haralson. Burke Wren presented offertory music on the trumpet and Benjamin Harlan was the guest pianist.
A timeline, framed article on Hosea Holcombe — the church’s first pastor — and plans for the next 12 months at the church were on display.
Three Sunday School rooms were organized as history rooms with photos, scrapbooks and church memorabilia.
“A Light Shines in the Valley,” a history of Mount Hebron, was offered for sale and sold out that day.
Lunch followed the service and a sing-along followed lunch. Tours of the Hebron School building also were offered. The church started the school before the Civil War and the current building was built in 1915. It closed in 1942.
“The celebration went beyond our expectations,” said Tommy Haralson. The church typically runs around 40 people, but more than 200 gathered for the celebration. (TAB)
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