-  140th Anniversary of Ministry & 100th Anniversary of Church at Seventh & Russell Streets...2007  -

On April 15, 2007, Edgefield Baptist Church celebrated its 140th anniversary as a church, and the 100th anniversary of the church building, with a Homecoming Celebration attended by approximately four hundred members and guests from all across the state, and states as far away as Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida.  Rev. Alan Lowe, senior pastor (2003-2007), brought the message at the morning Homecoming Service.  Former pastors Dr. Thomas Dumser (1989-1993) and Rev. James Powers (1980-1985) also spoke during the service and former interim pastor Dr. Ernest Standerfer (2003) brought the scripture passage (Lamentations 3:20-26) and invocation.  Congregational worship was led by former minister of music, Dr. James Stevens (1987-1989).

We were also greatly honored to have as our guest Mrs. Marguerite Babb, wife of former pastor Rev. Roy W. Babb (1957-1979) who served as pastor of Edgefield longer than any other person.

There were special recognitions of three church members during the service.  Mr. Marvin Agee was recognized as the church’s longest serving deacon, since 1950.  Mrs. Annie Mae Arney was recognized as the church’s longest serving teacher, since 1934.  Mrs. Edna Qualls was recognized as the church’s longest serving member, since 1929.

Following the Homecoming Service, there was a Fellowship Luncheon and following that, some of the congregation gathered outside on the corner of Seventh & Russell Streets for the opening of the cornerstone.  The weather was cold and blustery, so many listened to the opening from inside the sanctuary.

Rev. Lowe, along with senior deacon and property committee chairman Mr. Agee removed the stone front and extracted the copper time capsule that had been placed there on April 29, 1906 during construction of the building.  As the congregation filed into the sanctuary to the strains of How Firm A Foundation, Rev. Lowe and senior member Mrs. Qualls carried the capsule into the sanctuary for opening during the afternoon Celebration Service.

Rev. Lowe presided over the service, which featured former pastor Rev. Terry Carver (1994-1999) and former minister of music, Ms. Fran Powell (1982-1987).

There were also special recognitions during the service for church secretary Mrs. Peggy Hawkins who was marking her 25th year of service and also to church cooks and custodians Mr. & Mrs. George Culver who were marking their 20th year.

Dr. Melonye Lowe then read to the congregation an article that had appeared in the Nashville American on April 30, 1906 reporting on the ceremony that took place with the laying of the cornerstone.

Rev. Lowe then shared of the experience of trying to locate the exact location of the cornerstone and its contents. He shared that the capsule actually been extracted several weeks earlier at the recommendation of archivists from the Southern Baptist Convention.  They had also suggested that the capsule be opened prior to the service for examination of the contents.  Upon the opening of the capsule, it was discovered that moisture had taken a great toll on the contents.  With the help of the church minutes though, most of the items were able to be identified.

The capsule was then opened before the congregation, and the following items, most in very poor condition, were displayed: The minutes of the 1905 Southern Baptist Convention, the Tennessee Baptist Convention, and the Nashville Baptist Association; a copy of the Baptist & Reflector state Baptist paper; a copy of the Baptist Argus (a church publication); the April 28, 1906 edition of the Nashville Banner; the April 29, 1906 edition of the Nashville American.  Also included in the capsule, but not identifiable, were a church history, Sunday School history and church rolls.  Items from the time capsule are now on permanent display in the glass case in the Russell Street lobby.

Prior to the service, the church minutes were studied and reproductions of several items were secured to share with the congregation, including the various church documents which had been included in the 1906 minutes of the church.

Rev. Rusty Sumrall, executive director of the Nashville Baptist Association, then presented the church a plaque and read a letter representing Nashville Baptists, to be included in the new time capsule and cornerstone.  He then pronounced the benediction and the service concluded with the singing of The Doxology….Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

On Sunday, June 3, 2007, the congregation again gathered outside on the corner of Seventh & Russell Streets, this time for the reinstallation of the cornerstone with a new time capsule.  This special service, Old Stones, Fresh Wind, New Fire, took place entirely outside on the street corner and featured participation from many members of the congregation, with many providing readings, scriptures, and song.  That June 3 date was chosen to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the church building which took place on June 2, 1907.

All those present signed the new time capsule which was then inserted into the original time capsule that was placed in the cornerstone in 1906.  Everyone was also asked to bring bricks to the service.  Bricks were needed to fill the space in the cornerstone below the time capsule and behind the stone.  The mason, Mr. Roy Holmes, split each brick in half with one half being placed in the cornerstone and the other half kept by members as a keepsake for the day.

As the service concluded, the mason, with the assistance of Mr. Jeff Anderson, placed the cornerstone and then it was sealed.  The cornerstone now bears the dates 1867 (establishment of the church), 1907 (opening of the present structure), and 2007 (the building's centennial and the re-establishment of the cornerstone).

Some of the contents in the new time capsule include: Editions of The Tennessean, The Baptist & Reflector, minutes from the Southern Baptist Convention, the Tennessee Baptist Convention, and the Nashville Baptist Association, several publications from Historic Edgefield, materials from the church's anniversary and homecoming celebration, Sunday School and AWANA rolls, a church history, a letter from Pastor Alan Lowe, a letter from Rev. Rusty Sumrall - executive director of the Nashville Baptist Association, a DVD with messages from current church members and leaders, a book of Forever stamps, and several misc. coins.

In conjunction with this landmark anniversary…Memories of Edgefield, a book of memories and recollections of members, former members, pastors and staff members, has been produced. Click here to view a PDF version of the book.

A follow-up version of Memories of Edgefield was published following all the anniversary festivities, featuring additional memories as well as reports and photos of all the happenings.  Click here to view a PDF version of that book.