Church History Report
First Baptist Church
A Ten Year History
1988-1998

Reed Furr, Chairman

First Baptist Church of Albemarle culminated its centennial celebration with several events in the fall and early winter of 1988. On October 30, 1988, former minister, T.L. Cashwell, led the morning worship service. Afterwards, the entire congregation gathered on the church's front steps for a group picture.

On November 13, 1988, former pastor, Boyce Brooks, preached for the morning service, with a large covered dish dinner luncheon held 'in the Fellowship Hall afterwards. Then, on the evening of December 4, 1988, former and present ministers of music of the church held a Centennial Concert of sacred music. Participants included Evans Gremillion, Joann Morton, Greg Lundberg, Justin Hill and Rae Tucciarone.

The church's centennial activities were deemed a great success. Leading the way 'in all the special events were General Centennial Chairman, Dr. J.C. Boone and Hospitality Chairperson, Estelle Meigs.

On March 12, 1989, the church held Harold McDonald Appreciation Day. This even marked Reverend McDonald's fifteenth anniversary with First Baptist Church. As a token of its appreciation, the church membership gave Harold a beautiful grandfather clock.

On March 24, 1989, the church presented the Easter drama, "No Name In The Street' in the church Fellowship Hall. This production was a large theatrical undertaking. It was directed by Minister of Music Greg Lundberg's wife, Polly, and involved several church members, ranging in age from high school to middle age adults.

A tradition of recognizing the many contributions of the church's elderly members was begun on May 28, 1989. On that evening, the church held its first Senior Adult Recognition Dinner. This dinner has become an annual event in the years since that date.

In the fall of 1989, the church was able to purchase a new state-of-the-art sound system for the sanctuary. This purchase was able to occur through generous gifts from the estates of Mrs. Frances Harris and Miss Carrie Burleson.

In September of 1989, the church elected the most recent Long Range Planning Committee prior to the one now in operation. This committee was chair by Bill Burnside. After over a year of work, this committee presented its report to the church on February 20, 1991 and this report was voted on and adopted by the church membership on March 10, 1991. From the plans of this Long Range Planning Committee came most of the building additions and renovations of First Baptist Church 'in the 1990's.

An amendment to the church's Constitution and Bylaws was introduced in May of 1990 that has improved the church's appearance in the years since. This amendment involved the creation of a permanent Grounds Committee. The function of this committee was and is to plan and oversee the continued maintenance of the outside grounds of the church. The church voted to create the Grounds Committee on May 27,1990.

A revival was held at First Baptist Church from October 21 to October 24, 1990. The visiting evangelist was Dr. Thomas L. Rich, Jr. Dr. Rich had served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairmont, N.C. from 1956 to 1987. In 1984, he had delivered the Convention Sermon at the Baptist State Convention.

In the winter of 1991, as an outgrowth of the Long Range Planning Committee Report, the church elected two major committees to address the building component of that report. These committees were a Building Committee, co-chaired by Bear Knotts and Wayne Mabry, and a Building Finance Committee, coch aired by Jeff Smith and Hall Carpenter. They were charged with the task of determining the church's primary plan for new build' and renovation, and developing the best way to pay for any such building and renovation.

As a part of the patriotic celebrations surrounding the 5th of July, the church choir gave a special choral presentation entitled, "I Believe In America." This event was held on June 30, 1991.

On July 7, 1991, the church voted on a change in the Bylaws that established a Preschool Committee. The duties of this committee would be to organize and coordinate the church's preschool program. It was determined the positions of the committee would be filled by the Nominating Committee.

After several weeks of publicity and emphasis, a High Attendance Sunday was held on November 3, 1991. It proved successful as 401 people attended Sunday School. This marked the first time in nearly thirty years that the 400 mark had been passed in Sunday School attendance.

During the late 1980's and early 1990's several new programs and activities were initiated by the church. Some of these 'included Marriage Enrichment Retreats, Cottage Prayer Meetings, New Member Orientations, Child Loss Seminars and church Super Bowl parties.

Charles and Mary Swanner, who were members of First Baptist Church in the 1970's returned several times in the 80’s and 90's to deliver Christian messages. Charles had been ordained as a minister by this church and after attending seminary, he and Mary chose to go into mission work. For several years they and their family have served as missionaries in South America.

The new building program went into full gear 'in early 1992. On June 28, 1992, the Building Committee's proposal was approved by the church. This proposal included the building of a new administration and music wing and the renovation of the existing education building. The church had heard about the building plans through a series of meetings in May and had committed financial support on Commitment Day on May 31, 1992.

First Baptist Church has been served by three different custodians during the 1990's. These were Wayne Edwards, Kenneth Hatley and Wayne Burleson, who presently holds that position.

On September 13, 1992, Greg Lundberg announced his resignation as Minister of Music and Youth, a position he had held since March of 1988. He would be moving to the Central Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois. October 4 would be Greg's last Sunday. William M. Rogers was elected to serve as chairman of a search committee to find a replacement for Greg. Dr. J.C. Boone agreed to serve as interim Music Director while the search was conducted.

First Baptist held revival services from September 27-30, 1992. Dr. Drew Gunnells led the church in these services.

Pat Leonard resigned as Food Services Manager on December 16, 1992. Linda Mohn assumed these duties on January of 1993. This position went through a series of changes throughout the 1990's. Linda Mohn resigned in October of 1995 and Pat Leonard returned briefly. She was replaced by Brenda McRae. Mrs. McRae resigned as Food Service Manager 'in May of 1996 and was replaced by Alice Love. Throughout the many changes in this position, Estelle Meigs helped keep food operations going through her faithful service to the church.

David Phelps, who had served as Associate Pastor for Education and Administration since 1987, announced his resignation, effective December 31, 1992. David had accepted the position of pastor at China Grove Baptist Church.

A search committee to find a replacement for David Phelps was elected by the church and Vernon Huneycutt served as committee chairman.

On January 10, 1993, the church its next step in the building plan by voting to accept the bid of $1,043,000.00 made by Cresent Construction Company of Concord. This bid would cover the building of a new w' and the major renovation of the present educational building. On January 24, 1993, the church held ground breaking ceremonies for the new construction.

The church voted to call Robert Dixon as Associate Pastor for Education and Administration on March 28, 1993. He came to Albemarle from Georgia, along with his wife, Kim, and their four children. April 18 was Robert's first Sunday with First Baptist Church.

On June 6, 1993, the church voted to call Steve Byers as Minister of Music and Youth. Steve's first Sunday was August 1, 1993. Steve and wife, Amy, came to Albemarle from Bethel Baptist Church in Salem Virginia.

Ginny Skidmore announced her resignation as church secretary, effective October 27, 1993. She would be leaving to accept the position of secretary at Badin Elementary School. Ginny had faithfully served in the church secretary's position since September of 1981.

One of the major highlights of First Baptist's past ten years occurred on December 19, 1993. This date was declared Celebration Day, and celebrate is exactly what the church did. On that day, the choir presented the Christmas cantata, "A Christmas Celebration," members gave their annual Lottie Moon offerings, and most significantly, the church dedicated its new building and renovations. Several committees had planned for months to make this day a truly special one. On December 19, 1993, First Baptist had 576 people present for Sunday School. This marked the first time in nearly forty years that the 500 attendance figure had been passed. After the morning worship service, everyone gathered in front of the church for a huge group picture. A large covered dish luncheon followed 'in the Fellowship Hall.

On January 4, 1994, the church hired Marilyn Easley of Stanfield as church secretary. Between the resignation of Ginny Skidmore and the hiring of Ms. Easley, Bobble Jean Coggin had served First Baptist as interim church secretary.

Harold L. McDonald was honored on March 20, 1994 for his twenty years of service as pastor of First Baptist Church. At this time, the church congregation thanked Harold and surprised him and wife, Betty, with a trip to Hawaii.

First Baptist showed off its new facilities to the entire community by holding an Open House on the afternoon of November 20, 1994. This event was attended by several hundred people.

In late 1994 and in the spring of 1995, First Baptist first held special religious services that have now become a part of the church's annual calendar of events. On November 27, 1994, the church held its first Hanging of the Green service. Marked by music and the actual decoration of the sanctuary, the service marked the official beginning of the Christmas season.

On April 13, 1995, the church held its first Maundy Thursday service. This service also featured special music and emphasized the somber events of Christ's crucifixion. It became a part of the Easter worship services that culminated with the celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday.

In January, 1995, First Baptist began what has also become a traditional part of the church's service to the community. That year, the church held a blood drive for the Red Cross. It was tremendously successful and has become an annual event every year since then.

Barbara Frederick resigned as the church's financial secretary in February of 1995. Barbara had served the church faithfully 'in this position for fifteen years. She was replaced in April of 1995 by Sandra Stone.

An inspirational and moving patriotic service was held 'in the church on July 2, 1995. This service commemorated the 50' anniversary of the end of World War II. Pictures of World War II servicemen, along with uniforms and other memorabilia, had been on display in the church lobby for several weeks. During the morning worship service of July 2, special patriotic songs were performed by the sanctuary choir. A particularly exciting segment of the service occurred as the choir sang the anthems of each of the four main branches of the military, and veterans of those branches stood up with the appropriate song.

In response to a church-wide concern over the slow pace at which the building debt was being reduced, First Baptist held a series of meetings in September of 1995 called "The Future Is Now!" The purpose of the meetings was to refocus the church membership on the large building debt and to discuss ways to meet the challenge of this debt. A Debt Reduction Commitment Day was held on October 1, 1995.

In the summer of 1996, the church purchased new hymnals for the first time in twenty-one years. The new hymnals in the sanctuary were royal blue 'in color, while those used by the choir were white. On the evening of September 8, 1996, the church held a hymnal dedication service and hymn sing.

Also in the summer of 1996, the Ed Whitley Bible Class, who had sponsored and coordinated the Morrow Mountain Summer Ministry since 1969, passed the sponsorship of the program over to the Coed II Class. In 1997, the church determined to make this ministry a church-wide program and a committee would be appointed annually to coordinate the Morrow Mountain service.

In September of 1996, Billy Graham conducted what many felt would be his last crusade in Charlotte. Many members of First Baptist attended this crusade on September 26, 1996.

In November of 1996, the church bus was put up for sale after eighteen years of service. The church also voted to purchase a new church van. The old van was traded and a blue 1997 fifteen passenger Dodge van was purchased.

To help further with the church's on-going debt reduction process, a "Prove The Tithe Day" was held on November 17, 1996. By emphasizing the theme "What if.... ?", all church members were encouraged to truly tithe on that Sunday.

In early 1997, a private gift was made to the church to purchase new choir robes. In conjunction with this gift, the church voted 'in April of 1997 to establish a Long Range Sanctuary Redecorating Committee. The function of this committee was to pick color schemes for future sanctuary renovations to make sure these colors and new choir robe colors would match up appropriately. This committee was approved on May 25, 1997.

Steve Byers announced his resignation as Minister of Music and Youth, effective July 6, 1997, to accept a position as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Asheboro. Steve had served in this position since August of 1993. Donna McMillan was asked to fill the position of Interim Music Director and agreed to do so. A search committee was elected on July 27, 1997 to fm a replacement for Steve Byers. Carl "Buck' Hill was appointed as chairman and committee members included Debbie Doby, Leon Peele, Mary Sullivan and Eston West.Dr. Roy J. Smith, Executive Director-Treasurer of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention was the special guest of First Baptist on November 2, 1997. Dr. Smith shared information on the State Convention with the congregation and delivered the sermon for the morning worship service.

After years of moisture damage to the sanctuary and other parts of the church structure, the Property Committee recommended a roof replacement project to the church, costing in excess of $100,000.00. The church voted to pursue this roof project on January 25, 1998.In February of 1998, the Search Committee and the Board of Deacons initiated church discussion on the possibility of dividing the Minister of Music and Youth position into two separate positions. After weeks of lengthy discussion and debate, the church voted on April 19, 1998 to create the position of Minister of Youth and Activities. The Search Committee was charged with finding a person for this position. It was determined that a final decision on the music position would be made at a later date.Also on April 19, 1998, the church membership voted to commission a new Long Range Planning Committee to work on preparing First Baptist for the 21st Century. Stan Weathersbee was asked to chair this committee, and meetings began in May of 1998.As the Long Range Planning Committee begins its task, First Baptist Church of Albemarle faces several challenges. Among these are: meeting the building and repair debts created over the past decade; resolving the issue of church staffing; addressing the decrease in Sunday School attendance occurring over the first half of 1998; and preparing for the possibility of a new senior pastor after operating under the leadership of one man for a quarter of a century.

These are, indeed, great challenges, but with the guidance of our Heavenly Father, and continued faith 'in our Lord Jesus Christ, the are challenges that our church will meet victoriously.

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