Here is a brief history of our church:
In August 1886, the founders of what was then the Bethabara
Baptist Church of Lansdowne was founded. Its first order of business was to establish
a Sunday school as, quoting the resolution of 1887, “there is a crying need of
united, earnest Christian work in gathering into Sunday School the great number
of children now running at large without any Christian training, and with no
regard for the Lord’s Day …” So much for the good ol’ days. The first service
was in the home of Mr. J.D. Mitchell.
Seven months after
the church’s establishment, the name was changed to Lansdowne Baptist Church.
The church’s cornerstone was laid on May 24, 1887. In 1895,
as an act of Christian social conscience, the congregation stepped up to assist
African Americans moving into Lansdowne.
In 1911, the church moved to accept Philippians 4:8 as the
church’s motto: Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is
commendable, if these is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of
praise, think about these things.
In 1923, LBC had many leading figures of the Baptist
denomination among their ranks, including department heads for The American
Baptist Publication Society. Four ministers joined the church’s ranks and their
teaching ministry was significantly enriched. The education wing was added in
1926. Mindful of our duties to outreach over the years, the congregation of
Lansdowne Baptist Church has contributed money and facilities to support
foreign missions, inner city work, theological seminaries, and local
organizations such as Baptist Home, Baptist Children’s House, and Baptist Association.
Facilities over the years have been made available over the years to the Boy
Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Alcoholics Anonymous. Church has always raised money
for flood, earthquake, and fire relief, and other disasters. Locally, assisted
with Meals on Wheels, food closet, fuel fund, blood bank, and clothes closet.
During World War One; Miss H. Emilie Groce, first principal
of New Lansdowne School, became active in civic movements: promoting planting
of war gardens, planning community, sends offs for volunteers and draftees,
packing kit bags advocating correspondence with the boys in the service. She
also comforted the bereaved as notice of the deaths of local boys overseas came
in.
There have been wonderful church choirs here along with
instrumental groups. We have a treasure in the 1963 Aeolian-Skinner Pipe Organ.
There has been in the past also a vibrant youth group involved in scouting, the
group Christian Endeavor Society and Baptist Youth Fellowship. We hope to be
active in these areas again.
Women’s organizations have played an active role at LBC,
contributing to the social, spiritual, and financial objectives of church
program. Ladies Aid Society worked hard to pay off the church debt. The Women’s Society also raised money for
World-Wide Mission causes.
Today we are striving to become a missional church of the twenty-first century, reaching out to offer good works and good news to our community, our region, and our world. Come and join us in our ongoing adventure!
No comments:
Post a Comment