Pike Avenue Baptists Will Honor Pastor On Seventeenth Anniversary The Rev. Harris Took Over Church While Studying ~rAt Howard College FEB 2 31332 ^> BYTRANK WILLIS BARNETT We are hearing- a great deal a-bout the Monroe Doctrine just at present, with the East aflame. This isn't to be a war story, but one of peace, as it hangs around a man who is an ambassador of the Prince of Peace, a country preacher who came to this great city and made good. The only reason the Monroe Doc­ trine was dragged in came from the fact he was born in Monroe County, which was named for James Monroe. He was born there, his wife was born there, their fathers and moth­ ers a-nd their grandfathers and moth­ ers were all born there. Monroe County, created by procla- ! mation of David Holmes, governor of the Mississippi Territory, June 29, 1815, embraced all the lands that had been ceded by the Creeks at the treaty of Fort Jackson, Aug. 9, 1814, niaking an area of nearly one-half of the present area, of the state. It was a veritable kingdom, taking in all REV. THEO HARRIS the country east of the ridge dividing the waters of the Alabama and Ca- We are in the midst of the Wash­ ington Bicentennial and while the haba from the Tombigbee and Tus­ members of Pike Avenue Baptist caloosa Rivers; south of the moun­ Church are patriotic citizens, the tains of Blount and St. Clair; north thing on their minds is celebration of the present southern state bound­ Sunday of the seventeenth anniver­ ary, and west of the Coosa and the sary of the pastorate of the Rev. line southeast from Wetumpka to- be­ Harrison. They will make a big day low Eufaula. However, it was cut of it. The pastor will fill the pulpit up within a year or two by the for­ at the morning service and there will mation of Montgomery, Conecuh and be extra music, the outstanding Wilcox Counties, it receiving its final things being- the appearance at the shape and size by a part being added morning and evening services of the to Clarke County, Nov. 28, 1821. Ballard and McDonald quartets, Noted Persons while the Police Band will give a Monroe County ha-s not only been program. Beginning at 7 p.m. Mon­ a great mother county in Alabama, day night, there will be a social at but It has mothered some noted men the church in honor of the pastor who lived within its wide borders. It and his wife. was the home of William Weather- ford, who was born in what is now History Sketched Montgomery County. His father was Here are a few facts about the School enrollment 275 and B. Y. P. u. a Scotch trader and his mother was Pike Avenue Baptist Church, which enrollment 35. The church now has Sehoy Durant, a half-sister of Chief was begun as a mission station, near 1,073 members. The Sunday School Alexander McGHlivray, Weatherford what Is now known as Crews Sta ' has grown to 770 under C. N. Stapp, became the leader of hostile Indians tion on the South Ensley car lin<. superintendent.. The early history of the church i One of the strong points in the in the Creek War of 1813-14, retir­ somewhat indefinite. In 1895 the Sunday School is the Men's Class. ing to his farm in the southern part church moved to an old pavilion jn This has grown from three to more of the county after the war to live Twenty-Sixth Avenue and Twemy- than 200. In the last six months the life of a farmer. Fourth Street. This was used for a there came into the church 40 men Samuel Dale was a citizen of the school building as well as for church from this class. The president, H. county. He is known as "Daniel services. The church was first known A. Maynard, backed up by the teach­ Boone, of Alabama." It was the home as Comton Hill Baptist Church and er, John Hargrave, with all other of John Murphy, the fourth governor among the charter members were T. officers, made this possible. of the state, as well as of Charles B. Furman, J. H. Wildsmith, W. M. The W. M. U., Mrs. O. A. Fin- Tait, the first, federal district judge Grimsley and J. H. Watkins. Only ley, president, has grown from the of Alabama. These are but a few one of these is now living, T. B. Fur­ one organization of 30 members to of the noted men connected with Its man. eight circles with 150, with auxiliar­ history. The Comton Hill church was ad­ ies consisting of Y. W. A.'s, G. A.'s We now come to the Rev. Theo mitted to the association in 1897. and R. A.'s/and Sunbeams. Harris, who got part of his education Theo B. Furman, J. H. Wildsmith The B. Y. P. U. has grown from in the grammar and high schools of and W. M. Grimsley were delegates one to nine, with a membership of Monroe County. At '22 he was set representing the church. The church 210. J. F. Jackson is director. apart for the Baptist ministry. After reported 25 members. For all causes The board of deacons: F. C.Brin- serving as pastor at Uriah he be­ the church raised $85. W. M. Grims­ ton, John Hargrave, W. E. Butcher, came "pastor of Pike Avenue Baptist ley was Sunday School superintend­ C. N. Stapp, E. P. Dodd, Shirley God­ Church, • Birmingham. He had be­ ent and the Sunday School had an win, W. H. Singleton, J. E. White, hind him good pioneer blood, and enrollment of 35. S. A. Britt, E. P. Huey, W. M. Jones, having given himself to preaching, The church had been served by J. C. Hartley, I-I. A. Randle and H. C. he made up his mind to fit himself students from ;Howard College up to Alexander. for his great work, and so while act­ this date, and the first regular pas­ The Men's Class is counting on ing as pastor he was graduated tor reported was J. H. Pool, of Coal- more than 227 attending the services, from Howard College. This took grit burg. The next pastor was W. T. as this number has been pledged, and and determination as well as sacri­ Davis, a student at Howard. the T. E. L. Class. Mrs. J. S. Smith, fice, but. it is the key to the fact In 1901 the .church was moved to president, and Mrs. W. A. Reagan, that during 17 years as pastor of the Tuxedo Park and the name changed teacher; and the Fidelis Class, Mrs. Pike Avenue Baptist Church it has from Comton Hill to Tuxedo Park. H. C. Alexander, president, and Mrs. grown in strength and numbers. The first delegates to represent the W. p. Mitchell, secretary, expect to He, however, would be the last one church under the new name were swell the number to ••'.CO. to take credit for himself, giving W. M. Grimsley and J. H, Wat­ It. i>3 to' lie a gi;eat day for pastor due honor to his loyal wife, to his kins and G. W. Martin. At this and chinch; and we feel sure the strong board of deacons, and other time the church had 50 members. Harrises, h.-shand an'J wife, and church officers, and his active Sun­ Rev. Theo Harris began his pas-' children, for there are two lovely day School, a thriving B. Y. U. U. torate in February, 1915. The church daughters and a fine son, will havai and a devoted W. M. V. membership theil yra,B. 2$Q,-Sunday overflowing hearts. • Harris To Close 21 Years Service \At Pike Avenue

THE REV. THEO HARRIS

Judge J. Fritz Thompson Will Be Speaker On Anniversary Day

. The Rev. Theo Harris, pastor of Pike Avenue Baptist Church, will observe his twenty-first anniver­ sary as pastor of that church with a program that will cover most of the day, Sunday. Mr. Harris came to Pike Avenue Church 21 years ago from Monroe County, when he found a member­ ship of 160, which has grown to 1,021 at present. The Sunday School at that time had an enrollment of 95, which has grown to 635 mem­ bers. During the 21 years the church has raised for all purposes approximately $147,000 and all de­ partments of the church have shown consistent growth until it is now one of the leading congrega­ tions in the city. The program will begin at 9:45 a.m., when Prof. W. A. Reagan will preside over the Adult Class. The program will be featured by an at­ tractive musical program. The speaker, Judge J. Fritz Thompson, will be introduced by John Har­ grave. At 7:30 p.m. Mr. Harris will be the speaker and will discuss "Some of the Experiences of the Past Twenty-One Years." Special music at this service will be rendered by "the Friendly Eight." Sunday School Of Pike Avenue Will Honor C. JV. Stapp

CHARLES N. STAPP

Baptist Church Will Render Program Of Praise For Longtime Worker

Sunday will be Charles N. Stapp Day at Pike Avenue Baptist Church, honoring Mr. Stapp, who affiliated with the church 28 years ago, and who has been an untiring worker in church activities. ' For the past 25 years he has served on the board of deacons, and has, at one time or another, been a member of every board committee. For some time he w^as chairman of the board of deacons, 'and for the past 20 years- has been one of the church trustees. He was for 10 years associate superintendent of the Sunday School, and 14 years ago was elected general superintendent, which of­ fice he has filled up to this time, in which position some of his most outstanding work has been per­ formed. Under his direction the Sunday School has grown from a small number to an enrollment, of 620, with a staff of teachers and of­ ficers of 75, with plans under way to increase this number. It was to show appreciation for this long, loyal and constructive service that next Sunday has been designated as Charles N. Stapp Day. War BBnds Will Help Build* Church

Sv;:-t'-y-.:::i;;':.::v * ' ./'', '•* . .'. 'tr-"l:'.:i..

L-. „—.....,„—..-. ,:-,» Here is the architect's drawing of a new Pike Avenue Baptist Church that was to be—and this is the only kind of picture anyone is likely to see of it while the war lasts. The money to build it, however, is being raised and put into war bonds. Church Will Raise $1000 On Pastor's Anniversary War may help to build the church it postponed if Pike Av­ enue Baptists' plans work out. Anyway they'll make a big step forwarding those plans in honoring their veteran pastor tomor­ row. It's Rev. Theo Harris' ,27th anniversary as their minister and the members. will honor him by digging .deep to put by $1000 in one day toward the planned $100,000 structure. They were ready to start the building when war broke out, and now it has to be delayed because materials are needed for arms. So the money already raised, and the $200 to $500 a week the church ex­ pects to keep on raising, will go into war bonds. Started As Student If the church is delayed 10 years until the bonds reach maturity, they'll be worth a third more than they cost and the new plant's cost will be cut to $75,000. Mr. Harris began his career at Pike Avenue when he was a second year student at Howard College, fresh from Monroe County. That was in 1915. The church which had 165 members then has -1277 now. Sunday School enrollment has grown from 95 to 700. The Women's Missionary Union's 160 membership . started with a small "Ladies' Aid." The B. Y. P. U. REV. THEO HARRIS roll now bears 155 names. Pay Bills Weekly Pike Avenue's war-enforced plan of raising the money before build­ ing the church, instead of the orig­ inal plan, will enable members to preserve their longtime policy of operating on a cash basis. For years they've paid all bills prompt­ ly each week, giving one-tenth of the church income to missions and contributing regularly to Howard and Judson Colleges and the Baptist Orphan's Home at Troy. The pastor's sermon topics for his anniversary day tomorrow will be "They That Were Scattered Abroad" in the morning and "No •Compro™'1—" —* -i~>~'*~—jra-xx_nm_ liams i ^^^^^^'^^^^^m^^m^m^^^^m^^^^^m litis,, if II Itt'-< •""^^S^^^i^*IMMfIlf#lil*i^^^^^^^lMfllffil IBili,, " ISflltiBS^ ^zmmmmmmmmmm

DUI\ L» -Patriotic move of the Pike Avenue Baptist Church in' converting its building fund to bond purchases, and of Luquire Insurance Company employes in subscribing 100 per cent for purchases, speeds the countywide war effort being led by the Jefferson County defense savings committee. Top scene, churchmen buying bonds from Ensley Branch Man­ ager J. A. Holcomb, of the First National Bank, are John Hargrave, finance chairman; F. R. McBee, treasurer, and the Rev. Theo Harris. Lower scene, Troy G. Arnold (left), president of Luquire Insur­ ance Company, receives congratulation of R. M. Goodall, of Protec­ tive Life, on the fine response of Luquire employes in their bond purchases. g^ ..lAl-H* Baptist Church Aids Defense Pike Avenue Building Fund Goes To Buy Bonds; Selma Insurance Men Back Program Because this is a time "to invest company until next year, unless the in a democracy and dream of a day $50,000 limitation in one year is when the enemies of democracy lifted. will be defeated," the Pike Avenue Troy G. Arnold, Jr., 4, son of the Baptist Church has voted unani­ president, has invested $375 of his mously to give its building fund $383 life, savings in bonds. and all future contributions to tire * # * building fund for the purchase of SELMA ORGANIZES — Propos­ United States defense bonds. ing to sell defense stamps and Beginning with a purchase of bonds in accordance with a sales $2,000 in bonds, the church plans program of the National Associa­ to give its $200 a week, allowed in tion of Underwriters, insurance men the budget for a new church build­ of Selma organized recently to af­ ing, toward buying more bonds. filiate with the state association. The organization meeting, ad­ The Rev. Theodore Harris, who dressed by H. Martin Nunnally, of Sunday celebrates the 27th anni­ Birmingham, and John V. Heath, versary of his pastorate, and lead­ president of the Montgomery asso­ ing laymen of the church are con­ ciation, resulted in appointment as ducting the war effort plan. chairman of Moritz Gusdorf. He F. R. McBee, building fund treas­ will be assisted by B. H. Harrison, urer, and John Hargrave, finance Chris B. Heinz and N. L. Horn in chairman, have made arrangements completing arrangements. whereby members of the congrega­ tion may contribute bonds or stamps YOUNG FARMERS BUY—Ala-.: to the building fund rather than bama's Future Farmers of America [ cash. made a purchase of a $1,000 United "The church membership real­ States defense bond according to izes," spokesmen explain, "that this announcement by William Edwards, is not time to build a church, for JrM treasurer of the group, from we are at war. But it is an ideal Auburn. The bond was bought from time to invest in a democracy and funds in the state FFA treasury, to dream of the day when the ene­ with full approval of members of mies of the democracy will be de­ the executive committee, j feated. Then there will be time LEGION PURCHASES — Kelly enough to build a beautiful house Ingram Post No. 6, Veterans of of worship." Foreign Wars, put $1,000 into de­ The church, which 27 years ago fense bonds, with a committee do­ had 165 members, called the Rev. ing the buying for the post. Mr. Harris, then a student at How­ The committee includes G. C. ard College, to become its pastor Boner, commander; M. R. Riggins, in 1915. Today the church has 1,277 secretary-treasurer, and A. J. Cog- members. gins, a trustee of the post, and it Architects' drawings had already was authorized by the membership been made for a new $100,000 to buy the bonds. Phillip Lacey, a church. Building will now be post­ member and city employe, made poned until after the war. the suggestion for purchase. LUQUIRE UNANIMOUS — Em­ BONDS FOR RAILROADERS— ployes of Luquire Insurance Com­ The Brotherhood of Railroad Train­ pany, including thbse of the gen­ men, Southern Lodge 884, have eral office, funeral home and agents made a $1,000 purchase in defense throughout the state, have re* bonds. L. V. Rivers is treasurer and sponded 100 per cent to the sug­ J. C. Carroll secretary of the lodge. gestion that they make regular payroll deductions for purchase of HOW TO BUY- The United U. S. defense bonds. States Treasury Department,, in According to report of the com­ asking every income 'earner to in­ pany secretary, G. T. Kay, to R. M. vest regularly in defense bonds and Goodall, of the Protective Life In­ stamps, proposed a yardstick by surance Company, payroll deduc­ which the earner might do his right­ tions will amount to $363 a week. ful, part. The schedule suggested "One member of our organiza­ follows: tion," Mr. Kay said, "upon inaugu­ Weekly Weekly ration of this plan, made a cash Income Savings purchase through us of $5,000 $ 5 to $ 10 $ .25 worth of these bonds and is, in $ 10' to $ 15 : $ .50 addition, subscribing weekly toward $ 15 to $ 20 $ .75 the purchase of other bonds." $ 20 to $ 30 $ 1.25 The company purchased for its $ 30 to $ 40 ' $ 2.00 own portfolio $67,500 maturity value $ 40 to $ 50 $ 4.00 of the Series F bonds, which, added $ 50 to $.60 $ 6.00 to the bonds they purchased last $ 60'to $ 70 '....• $ 8.00 year, gives the company an invest­ R -!) to s so $10.00 ment of $100,000 at cost in defense $ 80 to $100 ; $12.00 bonds. 5>1U0 to 5il50 $20.00 This is the limit allowed the $150 to $200 $35.00 and Paroles to become secretary of the Alabama Parole Board. , His appointment to the Alabama Pike AvenueBaplisl position was announced here Thurs­ day. A former supervisor of Ala­ bama probation officers, he was Will Honor Pasfor made director of the Georgia board Sunday has been set apart for last April.. observing the pastor's 29th anniver­ sary. The Rev. Theo Harris came Gill, son of Mrs. Fannie McGill, from Monroe County to Howard Florence, and St. Sgt. James D. College in October, 1914, and be­ Counce, son of Lon E. Counce, came pastor of Pike Avenue Bap­ Sheffield. tist Church the last Sunday in Feb­ ruary, 1915. Through these years the church has had a steady growth in every department of its work.. The church believes in and fosters denominational educational education, and has had in its budget for the last two years both Howard and Judson Colleges, thus taking care of its centenial allot­ ment and also its Alabama debt al­ lotment to Howard College. The Sunday School enrollment was less than 100 when the Rev. Mr. Harris begun his pastorate, the W. M. U., a Ladies Aid Society, and the B. Y. P. U. a very small organ­ ization. The Sunday School now has an enrollment of 625, the W. M. U. an enrollment of 140 and the Baptist Training Union 185. At the outbreak of the war the church had accepted plans for a church building that would cost ap­ proximately $100,000. Due to war conditions the building could not be built until the end of the war, and the church has gone steadily along until it now has $35,150 in War Bonds, and is adding to this fund at the rate of $150 per week. The church invites, all the old members of the church who pos­ sibly can, be present Sunday morn­ ing at Sunday School and preach­ ing, and also extends a special in­ vitation to friends of the church. THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD £'

: : ||slM^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^»^-:-: •:-:*>:• vi ^" ^&> HP Jrllr ^•^*^^^M HJH^HpHil^^HK m 'Wii':}.••'• 'XlS.?!.;. riiSill |P--:5ift#:|^^^S

•

H

till

mSM . "I HONORED AT CHURCH CEREMONY — The Rev. Theo Harris, above, stands beside the new automobile, given him by the mem­ bership of the Pike Avenue Baptist Church. The Rev. Harris has served the church for 35 years. (See story, Off the Beat, Page 1) _ REV. WALKER * Rev. Gerald fief o Start Pastorat Joins Pike Baptist Chureh Tomorrow Pike Avenue Baptists begin a new period in their church tomor­ row as the Rev. Gerald Walker preaches his first sermon as the church's third pastor. The. Rev. Walker succeeds the Rev. Theo Harris, who retired re­ cently after- 37 years with the church. A „r !, native of Birmingham, Rev. Walker graduated from Woodlawn High School and holds his A.B. de­ gree from Howard College. He also attended Southern Baptist Semi­ nary at Louisville, Ky. A veteran of World War II, with service in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, Rev. Walker comes to pike Avenue from a two-year pastorate at the Oxford Baptist Church. Mrs. Walker is the former Mar­ tha Lou Fagan, whose father is the 5ev/ ^. W> Fa§an> Pastor of the Pell City Baptist Church. The Walkers have one child, Cynthia, 2 years old. They are living at 1633 Eighth-av, w. New pews in the recently com­ pleted sanctuary were placed this week and will be used for the first time tomorrow. 3/Mil* v

New pastor—The Rev. H. -.'•Gerald Walker, former pas- vror, First Baptist Church, Oxford, Ala., succeeds the Rev. Theo Harris as pastor of the Pike Avenue Baptist Church. A graduate of How­ ard College, the Rev. Mr. Walker served the First Baptist Church, New Castle, Ky., while a student at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. '"^MP'i ' r-"-i" W51 -M

New church completed—The Pike Avenue Baptist Church dedicated this new sanctuary at services last Sunday. Con­ structed of red brick it is located at 2300 Pike-rd. The re­ tired pastor, the Rev. Theo Harris, assisted in dedicating the new building. . 2; • j} yj __. a ,

Missionary convention speakers—Addressing the missionary convention to be held daily at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 through 12 at the Germania Park Gospel Tabernacle, 2512 Lee-av, sw, will be the Rev. W. W- Conley (left), a former missionary to Melak, Samrinda, East oBrneo, and Miss Sallie Botham who formerly did evangelistic work- and taught school in French West Africa. The announcement is made by the host pastor, the Rev. E. W. Henning. OST-HERALD 9 ^XL-tHS^ $h*S J Pike Avenue Pastor Called To Pensacola The Rev.-H. Gerald Walker, for the past two years pastor of Pike Avenue Baptist Church, has ac­ cepted the pastorate of the Brownsville Baptist Church, Pen­ sacola, Fla. The Rev. Walker succeeded the Rev. Theo Harris when he retired two years ago as pastor of the Pike Avenue Baptist Church. He came to the Birmingham church from the First Baptist Church, Oxford. A graduate of Howard College, the Rev. Walker received his theo­ logical training at Southern Bap­ tist Theological Seminary, Louis­ ville, Ky. The Pike Avenue congregation MOVING —The Rev. H. held a going-away reception for the Rev. Walker and his family Gerald Walker resigns Bir­ last week, presenting the Walkers mingham's Pike Avenue with a sizeable cash gift. Baptist Church to become Rev. Walker has been active in Baptist work in the city. He has pastor of a Pensacola, Fla., served as program chairman for the Baptist Pastor's Conference church. and has been a member of the Central Committee of the Ala­ bama Baptist, weekly denomina­ Nationalist China tion paper. Honors Confucius The Rev. Walker will speak to­ morrow night at 7:45 p.m. at the TAIPEH, Formo<" Hunter Street Baptist Church in —Nationalist ' the absence of the pastor, the Rev. homage + C. C. Bowles, who is away from tion^1 the city in a revival meeting. IGHA

Welcome to bur church—The Rev. H. Gerald Walker, pas­ tor of the Pike Avenue Baptist Church; welcomes two .How­ ard College students, Joanne Turner and Donna Aycock; who transferred their membership to his church so that they might help out in the work. , ,. ./&?ri -; A Stranger goes to church-— > Vf'-^.S A wish to serve takes many forms Occasionally you will find folks heads in the congregation of the so filled with the desire to d6 Pike Avenue Baptist "Church/." good works they wilt go to a But he does know this. great deal of trouble to perform From now on, there will be new these, good works. sources of inspiration to the mem­ Ministers of churches and folks bers of the church. who are engaged in charities For the two :Howard students know this" is a fact. When these are the rare individuals who will inspired people come to them, go to a lot of trouble so they may they are grateful. For besides do good works. doing good work themselves, they are an inspiration to others who PRIVEHNf may be tempted to lag. ;THEATR~

THE STRANGER had an op­ TONIGHT AND TUESD/ portunity to meet two of these r rare individuals when he at­ "JUMPING JA tended services at the Pike Ave­ Dean Martin, J nue Baptist Church. Phone Bess' The Rev. R. Gerald Walker, 2'/2 Miles from F pastor of the church, told him of them. "Tonight," said the Rev: Walk­ er, "we are receiving as" mem­ bers of the church two students at Howard College, Joanne Tur­ ner and Donna Aycock. "These young ladies who were members of a larger church, are coming to this church .because they feel that they are needed. They are coming to help us out. They come all the way across town to attend every service." AT THE SERVICES later/The Stranger recognized the two young ladies in-the-choir, as he listened to a beautiful hymn that urged "Whisper a Prayer to* Jesus." He watched them later as the Rev. Walker mounted the pulpit and warned the congregation that there was danger of "falling into a spiritual sleep." "There will be no sleep when you burn in the-fire of hell," he said. He warned, the congregation "when something goes wrong" and "you cannot find peace" it is usually because of this spiritual Sleepiness. -THE STRANGER does not kj*^£ if there are any sleepy­ rike Avenue Baptists *&#;•;• To Honor Former Paslor" 7 The Pike Avenue Baptist ning the program is made up of Church in Ensley will honor one A. L. Minyard, W. E. Maynord of its former pastors this Mon­ and M. L. Pruitt. day night. . The congregation will cele­ brate the 42nd anniversary of Men's Club Topi' the Rev. Theo Harris with a basket dinner in the church's Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. Rev. Harris became the pastor ToBeDeiinqur of Pike Avenue Church in 1915 Rufus Elliott, of the and served in that capacity for County solicitor's staf 37 years, resigning in 1952. dress The Men's C He has been a member of the Luke's Episcopal congregation, whose present pas­ Mountain Brook at tor is the Rev. Paul D. Brinkley, 6:30 p.m. March 5 for a total of 42 years. Mr. Elliott, wl Following Monday night's din­ juvenile deling' ner F. R. McBee, teacher of the signed for sevr Men's Bible Class, will recognize Juvenile Court those persons who have been Talbot Ellis. long-time friends of Rev. Har­ William E. ris. St. Luke's I ing this sp John Hargrave will present a brief history of Pike Avenue Church and the Rev. W. C. Crowder of Alexander City will be guest speaker. Entertainment for the pro­ gram honoring the veteran Bap­ tist minister, who lives at 2036 Avenue V, Ensley, will be fur­ nished • by the Minute Men's Quartet directed by C. V. Rich­ ard and the Shrine Quartet.. The general committee plan- By Pike Avenue Baptists^— entury

An organist who began playing for the Pike Avenue Baptist Cnurdh when her feet fcould not reach the pedals was honored by the church Wedn esday night for 50 years of service. Mrs. Chester E. Shelby was guest of honor at a special program commemorating her half cen­ tury as organist. She started playing for church services as a child, continuing through the years while raising a family and witnessing a changing and growing church. Dr. Toxey Dorsett, minister of WEDNESDAY NIGHT, Mrs. music for the church, presented Shelby was presented three pieces a gift from the choir to Mrs. of luggage as a token of the Shelby. church's appreciation. After the presentation, the Rev. Theo Harris, former pastor of the church 37 years, spoke of Mrs. Shelby's work. Commemorating this half century of service, the Rev. Paul D. Brinkley, read a scroll de­ scribing the quest _ of the three wise persons bearing gifts and searching for "Miss Jessie of the Tribe of Shelby," who had played Dr. J. Allen Blair, director of the organ faithfully for 50 years." Glad Tidings, Inc., of St. Louis, Mo. will speak at Southeastern AS THE SCROLL was read, Bible College, Sunday, at 3 p.m. MRS. C. E. SHELBY J. C. Coan, Sunday School super­ This special service will be held / . Organist for 50 years intendent; James W. English, in the College Chapel and the pub­ Training Union director, and Mrs. lic is invited. B. L. Seale, Woman's Missionary For 19 years Dr. Blair served FIRST LUTHERAN CHI""' Union president, presented Mrs. pastorates in Illinois, Minnesota, 2507 HIGHLY Shelby with the three pieces of New York and Missouri. In 1956 Sunday Schon' luggage as token of the church's because of constant invitations to Worship ' appreciation. speak at various Bible Confer­ Mrs. Vernon Wilson and Mrs. ences, he felt directed into a full- Harry Reach, daughters of Mrs. time itinerate ministry. Shelby, were hostesses to mem­ bers of the choir after the pro­ SINCE THAT TIME he b' gram. eled thousands of miles A cake was the focal point of in many cities in the table with pink roses and States as well as.O white tapers forming the decora­ tral and South / tions. He is also Assisting in the serving were ovdr the r granddaughters of Mrs. Shelby, program. Misses Susan and Cindy Wilson and Miss Harriett Reach. DR Srtmftr,. Met.* g; 1968 M-CL^>6>.- fifth*-