About Baptist Center Church

Our Building History

Friday July 28, through Sunday July 30, 1871: Meetings held to constitute a new church in the center of four existing churches - Shiloh, Mt. Moriah, Bethesda, and Johnston Liberty (later named FBC, Clayton)
August 1, 1871: An indenture grants land of J.H. and Sarah Duncan to Baptist Center Church trustees (filed in 1915)
September 1871: A "tall, wide and long church building with seperate steps leading up to the front entrances is built and opened for worship. There are three windows on each side and a large window behind the choir, which is directly behind the pulpit.
February 1911: Land for a church cemetary is donated by Dr. george and Nellie Hood "in consideration of $50.00" paid by Baptist Center Church trustees (deed filed in 1912).
1916: The original church is torn down to make room for a larger facility.
1921: After being hampered over four years by WWI, the new church building is finally completed. It's sanctuary and four separate Sunday school rooms seat 200 persons. The total value (much of the labor and materials is donated) is $3000. The Baptist Center Schoolhouse holds services in the interim.
December 4, 1943: The church is burned to the ground when an ash is accidentally dropped by a cleanup crewmember in the newly stacked wood box located inside the church.
June 1944: The cornerstone is laid for the new building.
Fall 1945: he new facility is completed, debt free thanks to the generosity of members and neighboring churches. A baptistery is installed with a painting of the Jordan River donated by former pastor and his wife, Rev. and Mrs. Clarence Teague.
1949: The fire-scorched pews salvaged from the fire are replaced with new ones.
February 1959: The church borrows $3000 for a new fellowship hall and parsonage.
1961: The church fellowship hall is completed.
March 6, 1961: The sanctuary is brick veneered for $6000 minus other needed repair costs.
February 28, 1965: Stained glass windows are added throughout the main church building, paid by a window fund started May 6, 1964.
1988: Nursery addition (16x21).
September 1991: Two classroom additions with bathroom facility (625 sq. ft.). Bid $20,840.
1998: Added a three-room portable unit for Sunday school rooms.
2001: Began renting house as Sunday school space.