Midway in Bullock County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
First Baptist Missionary Church 1875
Photographed By David J Gaines, October 20, 2012
1. First Baptist Missionary Church 1875 Marker
Inscription.
First Baptist Missionary Church 1875. . The Macedonia Baptist Church, located between the communities of Midway and Mt. Coney, was constructed by freedmen after the American Civil War, replacing the brush arbors used by the area’s antebellum slaves as sites for religious worship. Four separate congregations grew out of the original church: Antioch Baptist Church; Oak Grove Baptist Church; Mt. Coney Baptist Church; and Second Baptist Colored Church of Midway.
First organized in 1875, Second Baptist was built on a one-acre site officially deeded to the church by Taylor N. Cox and wife, M. C. Cox, on April 9, 1885. The original architecture was of the front gable with central tower type. Changes included additional rooms and the enclosing of the vestibule. Church founders included Warren Williams, John Curry, Alfred Boxer Sr., Ed Curry, Aaron Hamilton, Bob Walker, Aaron Jordan, Jack Christian, and Susie Christian, with Donna Pruitt serving as first secretary.
Rev. J.H. Smith was pastor in 1910 when the church’s name was changed to First Baptist Missionary Church. In 1938, its building began to be used as a site for classes and commencement programs for old Merritt Junior High School. During the 1960s, First Baptist was an important site for African American voter registration and other Civil Rights-related activities. The Church also played a significant role in the development of the Mt. Hebron Baptist Convention and the Missionary Baptist Association. As the only black Baptist church in Midway, First Baptist has been the site for conversions, marriages, funerals, religious conventions, and community events throughout its history.
Placed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage December 4, 1992.
The Macedonia Baptist Church, located between the communities of Midway and Mt. Coney, was constructed by freedmen after the American Civil War, replacing the brush arbors used by the area’s antebellum slaves as sites for religious worship. Four separate congregations grew out of the original church: Antioch Baptist Church; Oak Grove Baptist Church; Mt. Coney Baptist Church; and Second Baptist Colored Church of Midway.
First organized in 1875, Second Baptist was built on a one-acre site officially deeded to the church by Taylor N. Cox and wife, M. C. Cox, on April 9, 1885. The original architecture was of the front gable with central tower type. Changes included additional rooms and the enclosing of the vestibule. Church founders included Warren Williams, John Curry, Alfred Boxer Sr., Ed Curry, Aaron Hamilton, Bob Walker, Aaron Jordan, Jack Christian, and Susie Christian, with Donna Pruitt serving as first secretary.
Rev. J.H. Smith was pastor in 1910 when the church’s name was changed to First Baptist Missionary Church. In 1938, its building began to be used as a site for classes and commencement programs for old Merritt Junior High School. During the 1960s, First Baptist was an important site for African American voter registration and other Civil Rights-related activities. The Church also played a significant role in the
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development of the Mt. Hebron Baptist Convention and the Missionary Baptist Association. As the only black Baptist church in Midway, First Baptist has been the site for conversions, marriages, funerals, religious conventions, and community events throughout its history.
Placed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage December 4, 1992.
Erected 2000 by The Bullock County Historical Society and the Alabama Historical Association.
Location. 32° 4.521′ N, 85° 31.747′ W. Marker is in Midway, Alabama, in Bullock County. Marker is on Old Troy Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Midway AL 36053, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2012, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,159 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 8, 2012, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
