DECATUR -- "When you stop to think about this anniversary -- 150 years -- Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address in 1863, and six years later this church was founded," said Steve Hoover, youth minister, who summed up the day's events as the First Baptist Church of Decatur celebrated its sesquicentennial on Saturday in Decatur.
"We really forget how close in time we are to the events in our history," Hoover continued. "Just thirty years before the church was founded, the first settler, I believe his name was Burrows, came to this area."
On Oct. 7, 1869, J.D. Buckner, James Abercrombie, R.D. Londagin, Letsey Smith, Jane Londagin, Elizabeth Londagin, Isabel Buckner and Susan Hutton resigned their membership in the Spavinaw Baptist Church and formed the Corner Springs Baptist Church in Decatur. The church held its meetings and services in the old Corner Springs school building on the west side of what is now Decatur. Church elder John Given was the small congregation's first pastor.
Twelve years later, in 1881, the church purchased five acres of land for its new building. In 1886 a white framed building was erected on the part of the property that the Dollar General store now occupies today. This structure served the Baptist church until 1920 when the first brick building was erected where the Decatur Cemetery parking lot is now.
In 1981, First Baptist Church of Decatur built the third sanctuary building, which it occupies today, at a cost of $420,000.
In its 150 year history, 30 pastors and nine ordained ministers conducted services at the Baptist church. Justin White currently serves as the church pastor and spiritual leader.
Terry Eaton who served as First Baptist's pastor from 1985 to 2000 was the special guest speaker for the anniversary service, with music provided by the gospel group "Redeemed." The "Redeemed" musical selections were popular gospel tunes, "I'll Fly Away," "Farther Along," "I Saw the Light," and "When the Roll is Called up Yonder." Deacon Doug Holley closed the celebration with the benediction.
Local town historian Lyn Abercrombie, whose grandfather was one of the original founding members of the church, shared some of the church's rich history with the nearly 100 church members and special guests.
Hoover summed up the important role that the First Baptist Church of Decatur continues to play in Decatur and the surrounding area.
"This church is a rich part of this community," said Hoover. "It is really neat that we come together 150 years later and this church still continues to do the work of the Lord. I think this is a wonderful event for the community."
General News on 10/16/2019