First Baptist Church, located at 51 W. High St. in Mount Gilead, will be having a 170th-anniversary celebration during the weekend of Aug. 4-6. The theme for the celebration is “Come Home,” and events have been planned by the 170th Anniversary Committee.

The celebration begins Friday night with an “unplugged” concert at 6:30 p.m. by local artist Chris Toombs. Following the concert, light refreshments are planned. On Saturday, the men and boys will have breakfast at the church and attend farm days, and later the ladies have a tea party. On Sunday morning, there will be a special morning worship at 10:30 a.m., a time of fellowship, with a meal served at 12:15 p.m. and brief history tours starting at 2 p.m.

During the service, the American Baptist Churches of Ohio will recognize the church for its continued service to the community and state. Some of First Baptist Church’s historical artifacts will be on display at the church during this time, and the public is welcome to attend all events. To support the Cardington Food Pantry, all events are soliciting donations of a jar of peanut butter.

First Baptist Church of Mount Gilead was formed with 13 original members during a service held on Dec. 1, 1853. The church, then named the Siloam Baptist Church, was formed at the home of Rev. William Branch, who was the pastor of Bryn Zion Baptist Church. At the first Communion service on Jan. 1, 1854, the candidate was baptized and given the right hand of friendship. Church services were held in the courtroom of the county courthouse, which opened in 1854. The original building was completed in January 1855 and was dedicated on Feb. 1 of the same year.

The great bell, which is half the size of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, was purchased in 1857 and has called the faithful to worship during all the intervening years with the exception of the period during the construction of the present structure. The bell still exists and is rung every Sunday at 10:15 a.m. In 1872, the name was changed to the First Baptist Church and has remained so to this day. In 1906, plans were made for the present structure.

The cornerstone of the present building was laid on July 2, 1907. A building committee composed of Dr. Nathan Tucker, Walter Emerson, and S.W. Wilson directed its construction. The cornerstone, which can be seen from the exterior, contains a copy of the Bible, a history of the church, a list of church officers, a membership roll, a church school roll, membership of the Mission Circle, the Ladies Aid, names of subscribers to the new building, a copy of the program of that day, a copy of the church covenant, copies of each of the county papers, a 1907 calendar, a copy of “The Journal and Messenger,” and the keys to the old church.

“The church has changed over the years and continues to be a beacon of service and spreading the Gospel,” according to the current pastor, Dr. Roger Morris. “Now, the church broadcasts its services online and is reaching people for Christ beyond the community of Mount Gilead. However, its core foundation is to reach the people here where they are.”

Church services are usually held at 10:30 a.m., with a Sunday school hour before the service. Visitors and all those with family connections to the congregation are welcome to join them in worship anytime and attend their homecoming anniversary celebration on Aug. 6 starting at 10:30 a.m.

Questions can be directed to the church office email at [email protected] or by phone at 419-946-3686.

Submitted by First Baptist Church.