History of Sturgeon Baptist Church
125th Anniversary / November 7, 2010
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Sturgeon Baptist Church was organized on November 29, 1885, with 21 charter members. This organization came about as a result of missionary activity supported by the Little Bonne Femme Association. The Ref. J. M. McGuire made the following reports to the association on September 1, 1884:
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"the town of Sturgeon has a population of some 1,000 souls. Among them are some 30 to 40 who hold Baptist beliefs. These are without church connections. The town is situated in the center of trade to a territory including several weak and struggling churches. To organize and build here would be to give strength to all.
The Rev. McGuire preached in the community during the fall and winter of 1884 and 1885, with the result that several talked of establishing a permanent church. With the financial support of the association and about $1,350 in cash reliable subscriptions for a house of worship in Sturgeon, an excellent and well-located lot was purchased. On December 17, 1885, the church called its first pastor, the Rev. T. W. Barrett. The first church building owned by the Sturgeon Baptist was on the location of the former house of Mrs. Cordia Leaver. During a revival in March 1891, 53 persons were baptized into the church. Twenty-three were received by letter, making a total of 76 additions for the meeting. The Sturgeon Baptist Church was growing!
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On April 22, 1899, during the pastorate of the Rev. Dillard, the church voted to build a new sanctuary of brick on a new site (Patton and McDowell). It was dedicated on October 7, 1900. The church on that day raised $1,479 to pay off all the existing debt.
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After 97 years, a new sanctuary was built and dedicated on October 12, 1997. Because of the deterioration of the old brick sanctuary, the expense of remodeling, and limited size, the church voted to make room for a new addition. The project of removing the old structure and building the new commenced in November 2002 and was completed in the spring of 2004. The new addition includes a nursery, restrooms upstairs, a foyer, stairway, classroom, and janitor closet. A 25-foot steeple was placed atop the current sanctuary and a new marquee was erected using bricks from the old sanctuary as a foundation.
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The Sturgeon Baptist church continues to grow as two more land purchases to the east were made in 2009 and 2010 for future expansion. The Sturgeon Baptist Church is expanding its vision with a website of ministry.
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Sturgeon Baptist Church has grown from its 21 charter members in 1885 to some 500 members in 2010.
GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS
