A mother and daughter have accumulated more than 100 years of service to their church, Bay Springs Baptist in Shelby (Ala.)
The mother, Lura Curtis, has been the church treasurer for 60 years, while her daughter, Margaret Jones, has been the church pianist for 51 years and the church clerk for 41 years.
Curtis became the church treasurer in 1943.
“Back in the early days, you’d pay the preacher out of the offering which would sometimes be $4 or $5. There’s been many days like that in the history of our church,” Curtis said.
Curtis took the responsibility of treasurer when she was about 29 years old and has done so ever since. At age 89 she continues the task.
Besides being the church treasurer, she said that she has taught Sunday School for so many years that she has taught nearly every age level there is.
But she explained that she has not been taking care of church finances and teaching the principles of Christ through Sunday School for her glory, but His.
“To God be the glory — He’s the one — I guess I’ve helped to a certain extent, but I was doing what He implanted in me to do, and I give God all the praise,” she said.
Jones, Curtis’ daughter, began playing the piano in the early to mid-1950s, then later became the church clerk.
“I began playing the piano as a child — I guess I was about 10 to 12 years old,” said Jones, now 63.
“They didn’t have anyone else to play,” she said. “I was just learning really, but my aunt and I switched out for a little while, before she moved to Birmingham, then I was on my own.”
Jones took lessons and learned a lot about playing the piano on her own.
As her musical skills grew and her talents became more evident, she did not outgrow the roots of her church and her love for its music.
“I really like church hymns — I don’t play any fancy music, but I really enjoy those hymns,” she said.
She became church clerk in 1962, after her mother, who was church treasurer, was doing both jobs of treasurer and clerk.
“I really took it to help her out,” Jones said. She explained that the church was very small then, but has since grown to have about 165 enrolled in Sunday School.
“I have really thought about giving it up so someone younger could take it, but I haven’t done that yet.”
Curtis remains active in church and possesses a keen understanding and wisdom of getting through the good times and the bad, thanks to the grace of God.
“I thank God every day to be up and about to do what I can for the Lord. Not for my glory, but for His,” Curtis said.
“There’s people that have made this church successful — many who have come and gone, but through it all they’ve loved God and it’s amazing to see how God works and how He loves us all,” she said.
She said around 1958 the church began to grow.
More people began to come into the church, and it grew from then on.
The Shelby Baptist Association church is just south of Columbiana and not far from the Coosa River.
In an early May service the congregation honored the two with plaques of appreciation for their longevity in their positions.
In the same service the church recognized all of its senior adult members.
The two women are part of the senior group, which represents approximately 35 percent of the church congregation, according to Bay Springs Pastor Johnye Horton.
Asset to church
Regarding the mother daughter duo, as well as the rest of the seniors, Horton said, “They are very dedicated and supportive and a very progressive part of moving ahead. They are a real asset to our church.”
Senior adults bring wisdom, patience and understanding to ministry, according to Horton.
“They really have a lot of heart and love and they are very patient with us younger people, because they’ve been there too,” he said.
“They bring a dependability and if they have a job to do they do it. They know what responsibility is.” Horton said.
Referring to Horton, Jones said, “God sent him when we really needed him. He is part time, but does as much as any full-time pastor would do. He is a great preacher and our church has grown under his leadership.”
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