Concord Baptist Church, Toney, celebrated its centennial Sept. 15 during a 10 a.m. worship service.
The service began with a reading of minutes from the church’s first business meeting. The minutes were read by a grandson of one of the charter members. A congregational singing followed with “How Firm a Foundation,” the first song the Limestone Baptist Association church sang after it was initially organized, according to anniversary committee chairperson Retha Dorning.
Three former pastors — James Junior, Paul Clutts and John Bain — were recognized and spoke to the congregation. Tim Anderson, another former pastor of the church, delivered the sermon.
Robert Fullerton, director of missions for Limestone Baptist Association, and Nancy Beasley, representative from the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, both presented the church with plaques.
The service also featured an interpretive dance as well as recognition of charter members. Lunch followed in the fellowship hall, and Dorning noted that church member Debbie Hardaway baked a cake resembling the first church building.
“We just enjoyed the day, seeing people we hadn’t seen in a long time,” Dorning said, adding each family who attended received a copy of the church’s history as well as a CD with church photos. More than 200 people were in attendance for the celebration, she said.
“There was a real exciting spirit about the day. It turned out to be a real special day for the church,” noted Pastor Lynn Marshall.
He added his vision for the future of Concord Baptist is “to see the church grow spiritually as well as numerically.”
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