This is the original sanctuary building that was destroyed by fire. There are a few major differences between this original structure and the rebuilt structure we can see today.
Do you know what they are?
First-today's older sanctuary building does not have the vent that you can see in the gable.
Second-the original building had windows on either side of the front door instead of additional doors.
Third....and this is the most major difference......the original sanctuary building had a foundation of Stone Mountain granite. Look around today and you will see the older sanctuary structure has an all brick foundation.
The image below shows the west side of the basement of the original structure where Sunday School was held for many months prior to the fire.
Below: the west side of the classroom level....taken in July, 1947
Saturday, August 2, 2008
The Original Sanctuary
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
Building the New Sanctuary
The new building program for constructing a new sanctuary began in 1983 on a rainy Sunday per the historical archives. Dr. Robert Whitmire introduces the plans to the congregation.
Mrs. Jewell Patterson, wife of Rev. Arnold Patterson, discussed the history of the church from 1946 through the early eighties.
Greg Pope, the 16-year-old son of Butch and Linda Pope, discussed the new building program and its impact on future generations.
These images are from a laminated presentation created by Vivian Cranford. The next two images show the excavation for the new sanctuary. 
Do you remember the Scout Hut? Do you remember those trees?
A beautiful night scene of the completed sanctuary.
Whitmire Is Pastor At Lithia Baptist
...This article from the September 6, 1979 issue of the Douglas County Seninel advises "Dr. Bob" would begin his pastorate on September 9th.
The article goes on to state:
Rev. Whitmire attended Forest Park High School and graduated from Shorter College in Rome with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Religion. He received his Master of Divinity degree in 1974 from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He is presently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree and will graduate after writing his thesis.
Rev. Whitmire has received several special honors. He was chosen for Who's Who Among Colleges and Universities in 1972; Eastern Star Religious Leadership Award, 1971-1975; President of the Student Senate and Vice President of Student Government at Shorter in 1971-1972 and received the American Bible Society Award in 1971.
Rev. Whitmire comes to First Baptist of Lithia Springs from the First Baptist Church of Union Point, Georgia. He is married to the former Roxann C. Castleberry of Forest Park, and they have two sons, ages two and four.
1953...An Article Regarding Rev. Beaver
In a May-June, 1953 article in the Douglas County Sentinel Rev. Marion H. Beaver was introduced to the community-at-large. The article states:
A native of Marietta he received his bachelor of divinity degree from Southern Seminary in May. Mr. Beaver was ordained in 1947 and was pastor of the Milford Church in the Noonday Association before entering the seminary. He was pastor of the Petersburg, Kentucky church during his seminary days.
While at Milford he led the church to a full-time program with complete organization of denominational activities and was very active in associational work, especially in Training Union.
Jewell Patterson: Service, Family, and Fellowship
Celebrating Pastor Marion Beaver's 80th birthday on November 29, 2002.
Standing before the congregation with Dr. Robert Whitmire.
Pastor Arnold Patterson and Jewell Patterson.
Jewell on a visit to West Palm Beach to visit her sister, Belle.
The Patterson home on Florence Drive.
Girls never really grow up. The above doll house was constructed by Arnold as a gift for Jewell.
Jewell with her brother Edgar and sisters Belle, Ethel, Lou, Millie and Evelyn.
Jewell's birthday celebrated by her Sunday School class.
Fleeing the ship with Dot Calloway, Bob Whitmire, and daugher Joyce.
Jewell and Cora Jones
The above invitation was issued for Mrs. Patterson's ten years of service as the Women's Missionary Union Director for the Concord Baptist Association on September 14, 1986.
Jewell Patterson speaking to the congregation during Groundbreaking Sunday for the Together We Build program in 1983. She spoke about the early days of the church from 1946 through the early eighties
This image shows Jewell Patterson with her mother and siblings....spouses are standing and siblings are seated.More on the Pattersons...
These images are taken from laminated presentations prepared by Vivian Cranford and Rheba Doris Williams to honor the Patterson family.
This slideshow focuses on the children and grandchildren of the Pattersons:
November 13, 1979 was the 50th wedding anniversary of the Pattersons:
If you click on the slideshow you will be taken to another page. Look for the blue link on the left that says "view web album". Click on it and you can see each picture seperately.
