Tuscaloosa’s Mount Paran marks 125 years

Mount Paran Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, celebrated its 125th anniversary Sept. 29 during an 11 a.m. worship service that began after Sunday School.

A former pastor of the church, Robert Shirley, spoke briefly about Mount Paran Baptist and his time spent there in ministry.

Interim pastor David Watson delivered the sermon, and a plaque from the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission was presented to the Tuscaloosa Baptist Association church by Jim Ryan, chairman of deacons. 

A fellowship meal followed the service, Ryan said. He noted the most memorable part of the day was “seeing people that had been members — maybe even when they were young — come back to celebrate with us.”