Decatur Baptist Celebrating 150 Years

Decatur First Baptist Church sends along this informationa about an important upcoming event.

The First Baptist Church of Decatur will celebrate its 150th anniversary on Sunday November 18. 

The celebration will include worship at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary followed by the 150th anniversary luncheon in the church’s Activities Building.

Dr. Bill Leonard, the James and Marilyn Dunn Professor of Baptist Studies and Professor of Church History from the Wake Forrest University School of Divinity, will speak at the worship service.

Local attorney and former church member John Manning will speak at the luncheon, and the Lake Shore Quartet and the Mullins Family will perform.

The church was started in the midst of the Civil War with help and financial support from Baptist churches in Kentucky. In 1862, Mary Gay of Decatur traveled to Kentucky to raise funds to establish a Baptist presence in Decatur. Gay’s former home is now the headquarters for the Junior League of DeKalb County.

In preparation for the Anniversary, the church has gone through numerous repairs, renovations, and additions over the last year including chimes in the steeple. 

A yearlong emphasis on missions and service has included building a Habitat for Humanity House, mission trips to Kentucky, Thailand, the Congo, and Taiwan, plus numerous local mission assignments led by various groups in the congregation. 

An updated history of the church has been published as well as a “150 Days of Prayer” Guide.

Additional contents and documents from the Anniversary year will be added to the church cornerstone.

Julie Pennington-Russell is the pastor of FBCD.

Previous Patch stories about Decatur First Baptist.

Decatur Baptist holding annual yardsale.

Church kicks off crime victims week.