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Pictorial History
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SHARING HIS LOVE SINCE 1957
The seeds of First Baptist Church of New Athens began February 14, 1954 in the home of Rex and Thelma Robertson with support from Westview Baptist Church in Belleville. The mission next met in the Odd Fellows Hall above what was then Karber’s Pharmacy and the Old Post Office (currently the Village Pizza) on Van Buren Street (often dodging bats that flew through the Hall). They met there for four years. The mission grew and was constituted into a church on January 5, 1957 with approximately 40 Charter Members. The newly constituted church continued to meet in the Odd Fellows Hall until July 1958 when they purchased the Frozen Food Locker Plant on South East Street from Cletus Lischer for $8,000. The building was renovated to a church. Many items were donated, including pews from the First Baptist Church of Pinckneyville and the front door from Mr. and Mrs. Earl Becker, then owners of Hi-Way Lumber. In 1959, Edna and Ora Hill donated new pews and a furnace. The old pews were given to a mission in Granite City. Accordion doors were added to create classrooms in 1960. In 1962 the mortgage was paid and in 1963 hardwood floors were installed over the concrete, the aisle was carpeted and a kitchen installed. WMU began their strong mission involvement in the church. In January 1964 the church building was officially dedicated and the offering received that day helped buy a new piano. In 1966 the church bought the lot adjoining the building for $1,100. Through the late 1960s church programs such as Training Union, GAs, Mission Friends (then called Sunbeams), Baptist Men’s Day, WMU activities and potluck suppers before business meetings were going strong. In 1972, the church participated in the “Good News for Modern Man” campaign with pamphlets being taken to every home in New Athens. Also in 1972, the attic of the old church building was finished into four classrooms. Sunday School attendance these years averaged about 31. Mission action continued in our church in the 1970s with GAs going to GAMM and the women collecting items for food baskets to be given away. In 1975, our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering was $150. The Marissa Baptist Mission, now Faith Baptist Church, used our baptistery on several occasions. In 1975, the parsonage was purchased for $25,000. This loan was paid off by February 1983. Fifty adults attended the Valentine Banquet at the home of Ed and Dorothy Diehl in 1976. In 1977, Family Missions night was begun with all missions groups meeting the fourth Wednesday of the month followed by refreshments celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Sunday School attendance in July was an average of 60 that year. In November the Sunday School attendance record was broken with 84 present. A new members class was begun that month. The Sonshiners, the youth singing group directed by Mike Reed, raised money to help buy a new sound system. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sunday School attendance averaged about 48 and as the church grew, the members began to feel the need of and begin to save for a larger building. A building fund thermometer was put up in 1979. We also participated in our first World Missions Conference in 1979. In July 1981, the church voted to enlarge the building with an addition of classrooms, restrooms and offices onto the front of the existing building and to remodel the sanctuary. A groundbreaking service was held August 2nd. On January 3, 1982, the church celebrated its Twenty-fifth Anniversary and raised over $2,500 toward paying for the front addition, which was dedicated during the celebration. The loan was paid off in November 1988. Throughout the 1980s, the church continued many existing activities and programs and started many others. Several youth attended Youth Encounter in Springfield each December. GAs, RAs and Youth went to camp each year. We continued to be a part of the World Mission Conferences. Men went to the Log Heap Revival each September. Harvest dinners were held each year at Thanksgiving time. Lock-ins were a popular youth activity, as well as ski trips to Hidden Valley, attending St. Louis ballgames, bowling, skating and mission activities. Several youth revivals were held as well as regular revivals. Weekly visitation was established on Thursday nights. The men hosted church breakfasts from time to time. The candlelight Lord’s Supper service each December was becoming a favorite tradition. In 1988, we celebrated the 100th Anniversary of WMU with 100 days of prayer beginning February 4 and a celebration on September 11th. In the late 1980s and early 90s, mission groups were very active. RAs, GAs and Acteens each had mission study programs, camp outs and mission projects such as helping needy families and volunteer yard work. Several missionaries came and spoke on various occasions. Acteens went to the National Acteen Convention for the first time from our church. Each of our mission offerings continued to increase. In 1989, 41 youth and adults studied the Survival Kit. Our church joined CESNA (Church Emergency Services of New Athens). In 1990, the church supported Nicole (Luecking) Griswold as a State Acteen Activator. Five Acteens went on a mission trip to Chicago. Missions highlighted many of the activities of our church in 1991. Two people were saved during the World Missions Conference. Three children made decisions for Christ during VBS. Our special mission offerings were $458 for Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, $538 for State Missions and $1,068 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The church voted to increase Cooperative Program giving from 11% to 12%. 22% of 1992 budget was given to missions. In 1993, Dr. George Karr, interim pastor, challenged us to consider relocating so our church would have room to grow. The Church Growth/Opportunities Committee was formed. In 1994, the Together We Build Program was started to promote giving to the building fund. Ten acres of land on River Road was purchased for $25,000. The new building site was dedicated December 11th. The loan was paid by May 1995. In 1997, our Clothes Giveaway was begun as a mission outreach. In 1998, John Brewer was licensed to preach. Throughout the late 1990s, much time and effort was spent toward a new building. The Building By Faith Program was started when the Together We Build was finished. The Steering Committee contacted the North American Mission Board for building advice. Floor plans for the new building were adopted in 1999 and the building on East Street was put up for sale. It sold in 2001. In 2000, a loan from the Village Bank of New Athens for $220,000 was secured. Groundbreaking services were held March 19. Several crews from Constructors for Christ came from June 18-July 23rd to help construct the new church building. Many of our members also volunteered endless hours. The steeple was raised July 14th. The first service was held November 26th with a Hanging of the Greens in the evening service. The building was dedicated March 4, 2001. Pews from the old church were given to the Freeburg Community Bible Church. In 2002 and 2003, we built a building for the tractor, wagon and also an attached youth room. Landscaping work continued and a church sign was purchased. As the church continued to grow, the need for more space became evident, and in 2006 an Expansion Committee was formed. Debt on the existing building has declined rapidly and by April 2007 was only $38,987.76 (from $220,000 in 2000). A committee for planning a celebration of our first 50 years was formed in 2006. The Anniversary was January 5th and was observed January 7th with Dr. Tommy Cupples, Metro-East Director of Missions, as speaker. A two day anniversary event was held on April 21-22, 2007. About 200 people attended which included former and current members, family, friends, and former pastors.
Looking Forward to the next 50 years. |
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CHARTER MEMBERSHIP January 5, 1957
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