A photocopy of the article detailed below is all that has been located, so far, regarding the second anniversary of the church. It is marked 1948 and it is not indicated if the article was published in the Sentinel or another local paper: The copy isn't in the best shape, but it says:
The Lithia Springs First Baptist Church will observe the second anniversary of its constitution on Sunday with an all-day service. Rev. J.A. Patterson, pastor, announced this week. Dr. L. Smith of the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia will be the guest speaker for the afternoon service.
Constituted April 7, 1946 with 13 members the church has grown to a membership of 154. Meeting first in the Lithia Springs school the church now holds services in the basement of the proposed church plant. The basement unit was completed at a cost of $21,000.
The day's program will include the regular order of service in the morning with a basket lunch being served at the noon hour. The afternoon program will feature songs by the Park Avenue Quartet and the Grant Park Quartet, readings by Sara Maud Chandler and Joyce Patterson, and the address by Dr. Smith.
The church extends a cordial invitation to those in the community.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Second Anniversary
Saturday, August 2, 2008
FBCLS Heritage
If you click on the image you will get a closer view. The text states:
First Baptist Church of Lithia Springs was organized on April 7, 1946. The Rev. J.A. Patterson was elected the first pastor. The church met for a time in the present Annette Winn School, moving later to the basement of their first building.
The first sanctuary and educational building were dedicated on October 23, 1949. Tragedy struck just five days later as the building was totally destroyed by fire. Not willing to give up, the members moved the meetings back into the school building until a new sanctuary and a few educational rooms were built.
In November, 1952, Rev. Patterson resigned as pastor and in May, 1953, Dr. Marion Beaver was called to lead the congregation.
In 1955, a building fund campaign was launched and on April 27, 1958, the church dedicated two stories of the educational building.
In November, 1962, the church elected a Planning and Survey Committee to start a mission which was constituted on October 2, 1966, as Lithia Heights Baptist Church.
On April 7, 1968, a groundbreaking service was held as another building program got underway to construct a four story educational building. The annex was completed in July, 1970.
Dr. Marion Beaver resigned as pastor in November, 1978, after serving for more than twenty-five years. A Search Committee was elected and Dr. Robert L. Whitmire was called to begin his ministry [at FBCLS] in September, 1979
Saturday, June 7, 2008
A Church Bulletin: 1948
The bulletin is typed and has four pages. The cover page is shown below. Underlined underneath the title "Come Unto Me" are the words-----If you love God with Heart and Soul, you cannot fail to reach the Goal.
Underneath the pastor's name.....J.A. Patterson....are the words THE CHURCH WHERE EVERYBODY IS COUNTED FOR SOMETHING.
The second page provides "visible results" which is basically a worship report stating there was 113 people in Sunday School, 62 in Training Union, 7 at the Mid-Week prayer service, and the offering of the day was $95.25.
You can click on these bulletin images to enlarge them.....
