Pine Barren celebrates 150

Pine Barren Baptist Association celebrated its 150th anniversary Nov. 7, 1999. The celebration was held at Beatrice Baptist Church, Beatrice.

The association was organized in 1850 when 22 churches left the Bethlehem Baptist Association.

Jim Swedenburg, associate for church administration at the Ala­bama Baptist State Convention, was the guest speaker, and special music was provided by the ­Beatrice Baptist choir. Eugenia Brown brought greetings and congratulations from the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission.

Brief histories of each of the churches were presented as well as the association’s history. Minute books, pictures, biographical sketches of leaders and the histories of the association’s churches were displayed.

The association has 12 active churches with a total membership of 1,444. Ladell Blanton is director of missions.