10/16 – 175th Anniversary
Posted on August 15th, 2011
“Happy 175th Anniversary, Farmville Baptist Church!”
November 25, 2011, is the 175th Anniversary of the founding of Farmville Baptist Church.
To celebrate this occasion, the church will be having an Anniversary Reunion Celebration on Sunday, October 16.
You are cordially invited to
Farmville Baptist Church’s
175th Anniversary Reunion Celebration
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Continental Breakfast/Social at 9:30 a.m.
Worship Celebration at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Reunion Luncheon at 12 noon in the Fellowship Hall
Anniversary Program and Festivities to end by 2:00 p.m.
This page contains the latest updates and announcements regarding our anniversary celebration! After the jump, click the links on the Table of Contents to go to section you want to visit.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- “Mums” for Anniversary Sunday
- Fun Facts from our history
- Church Clean Up Days
- 175th Anniversary T-Shirts for sale
- 175th Anniversary Pictorial Directory
- “Favorite Stories” Interviews
- Ladies’ Hat & Men’s Tie Contest
- Returning Former Pastors and Staff Members
“Mums” for Anniversary Sunday
If you would like to purchase a Mum in memory or in honor of a loved one to be placed in the sanctuary on our Anniversary Sunday, October 16, please call the church office (392-5041). The cost is $10. The Mums can be picked up after the Anniversary Celebration service.
Fun Facts from our history
In the 1860’s, many non-Baptists attended Farmville Baptist in order to view the “most beautiful woman ever seen”. Mrs. Arnaud Preot was FBC’s choir director, and the French wife of the President of Farmville Female College (1862-1870).
Mr. Holman Rice, a prominent church member used to pray he might be permitted to die while praying. In the fall of 1876, his prayer was answered as he passed away while on his knees at a prayer meeting at Farmville Baptist.
Mary Jo Young Chassey played in the first FBC bell choir as a middle school student. In fact it was the first bell choir in Farmville. Since Mary Jo returned to FBC with her wonderful family she has played in and directed the present bell choir.
Joseph Mays, as choir director at FBC started the annual Hanging of the Greens service at Christmas. It has become an important tradition.
There was in existence a boys school called the Southside Institute which was held in the basement of the Baptist Church. It had a rather close relationship existing between the local white Baptist Church and the present State Teachers College. Many prominent people were taught in this Institute, including the celebrated Dr. Walter Reed.
The first church building was completed in 1837, on the corner of Fourth and South Main Streets where First Baptist Church now stands. Our present location was purchased and a new building erected in 1855 and used until 1912. In 1912, construction on a new building begun, and it was completed and dedicated on Nov. 1, 1914 at a cost of $24,033.93.
Church Clean Up Days
In making sure that our building is looking its best for our anniversary celebration, Jim Davis and the Property Committee have scheduled a “Church Clean-Up” day on Saturday, September 24, starting at 9 a.m. (with a continental breakfast served) and ending at 1 p.m. Clean-up projects include painting, carpet cleaning, retouching and staining the sanctuary pews, dusting various rooms, and cleaning the bathrooms. A list of projects and the supplies needed will be published in the coming weeks. Your help is needed! Many hands make light work!
175th Anniversary T-Shirts for sale!
In honor of our anniversary celebration, we’re selling bright blue, 50 poly/50 cotton T-shirts, with an FBC design. The final price depends upon the quantity of the order…estimate $20 each or less!
If you are interested in purchasing a T-shirt, please contact Cindy Cave (cndcave [[at] gmail [dot] com) 434 547-7576 or with the Adult Size shirt you prefer. Feel free to order T-Shirts for your family and friends! The deadline to order (please include T-shirt size) is August 21.
175th Anniversary Pictorial Directory
As a part of our 175th anniversary celebration, we will be publishing a new pictorial directory! All members, regular attenders, college students and even friends and relatives who are not church members are invited to have portraits made during the week of September 12-16.
Click here to schedule an appointment for an individual or family. Appointments are 20 minutes each starting at 9:00 a.m. each day. The last appointment of the night is 9:00 p.m.
You will receive one free 10″ x 13″ portrait of your entire family. Only one sitting and one free 10″ x 13″ portrait per family.
No charge for the sitting and no purchase is required. However, you will have an opportunity to purchase extra pictures and packages.
“Favorite Stories” Interviews
Jay Lynn will be video interviewing various FBC groups during the following days and times:
Sunday, September 18, 10 a.m. – Median Adult Sunday School Class (Ken Copeland) in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday, September 25, 9:45 a.m. – Senior Adult Ruth Class in the Parlor
Sunday, September 25, 5:00 p.m. – College Students during our Adopt-a-Student dinner in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday, October 2, 9:45 a.m. – Elisabeth Class in the Preschool Department
Sunday, October 2, 10:15 a.m. – Youth Group
In these videotaped interviews, participants will be asked these questions pertaining to our past:
1) What brought you to FBC?
2) What were your initial impressions? What made you decide to stay?
3) Share a personal story about FBC that is especially meaningful to you.
Also, the following questions will be asked pertaining to our present:
4) What three words would you use to describe FBC to an outsider?
5) What three words would describe the things that are important to us?
6) What are some things/ministries we do well at FBC? What resources are we blessed with as a church?
Segments of these interviews will be shown at our anniversary luncheon on October 16.
Ladies’ Hat and Men’s Tie Contest
At our Anniversary Celebration luncheon, there will be a Ladies Hat & Men’s Tie (neck or bow) contest! Prizes will be given in these categories: “historically correct,” “fashionable,” and “funny/gaudy.” Start looking for that perfect, prize-winning accessory !
Returning Former Pastors and Staff Members
The following former pastors and staff members are planning to attend our celebration:
- Rev. Leslie H. Giles and his wife Joanne
- Pam McDermott and her family
- Rev. Charles K. Miller
- Evelyn McCluney
Anniversary Video
Tags: 175th Anniversary, celebration, events
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