History is a boundless thing in the Southlands of the United States. At every turn in the road there is something historical and beautiful to look at. Being a native of Monroe County Alabama and a wanderer I am always confronted with something to see and investigate and learn more about.
Although I have lived here all my life there are so many things that I have seen countless times and yet I still know so little about. I am sure that this is true for so many people as they go about their daily lives.
Recently I was out exploring and taking photos because that is what I do and I rode in to Vredenburgh, Alabama.
For those that do not know Vredenburgh is in the very Northern most part of Monroe County. It was a sawmill town in the early 1900’s that employed many people. There were streets lined with houses that were company houses that the employees lived in with their families and at one time was a modern town for its time.
The object of my search on this trip was the Vredenburgh Baptist Church. It is located on the Eastern part of town right off the main drag.
Upon taking a few photos and leaving I did what I always do and went home, sorted through the bounty of pictures I had taken that day. I then shared some to the various sites on social media and uploaded a few to my web site where I load pictures for all of the churches I photograph. Discussion is aways interesting on the photos. Being this one is a very historical one immediately conversation got to getting more info on it. Reason being that is what I do. Pastor Dorsey McDonald said “Hey, I can get you some history on this one.” So here it is.
According to history given to me by members of the church on a document written by Margret McIntosh.
Quoting as follows:
The History of Vredenburgh Baptist Church
1912-2012
The history of Vredenburgh Baptist Church cannot be told without telling the beginning of the town of Vredenburgh.
Peter Vredenburgh Jr owned a sawmill in Pine Hill, Alabama. This mil had a limited number of resources, so he started to scout around for more timberland. He found large tracts in Monroe and Wilcox counties that could be purchased for a very good price. He purchased approximately 80,000 acres and built a sawmill in a place he called Vredenburgh. Construction on the mill was begin in 1910 and completed in 1912. At that time houses were built, along with a large commissary, doctors office, and two churches. The Vredenburgh Baptist Church was one of those churches.
The Vredenburgh Family donated pew furniture and had pews made for each church. Mrs. Peter Vredenburgh Jr. bought a baby grand piano for what is not the Vredenburgh Baptist Church. The piano is still used. In 1969 it was refinished by J.Y, McIntosh Jr., and Barney Crouch.
At the time the church was built it was used by Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Assembly of God members. There was a Union Sunday School using David C. Cook Publishing Company Literature. This literature was used till the church was reorganized in 1966.
The church building was used for a school until a building could be built across the street. The right and left wings were added to the building several years after the original building was built.
At a meting held March 17, 1912, presided over by Rev. G. N. Kimbrough, Vredenburgh Baptist Church was organized.
The minutes of that meeting read, That the Baptist People of Vredenburgh did then and there organize a Baptist Church termed the First Baptist Church of Vredenburgh.
There were twelve charter members:
Mr./Mrs. O.L. Landrum Mr./Mrs. C.C. Curry
Mr./Mrs. J.T. Stevens Mr./Mrs. T.J. Maroney
Mrs. S.L. Hall Mrs. J.B. Trawick
Dr. L.W. Chapman Mr. M.P. Bettis
The church elected O.L. Landrum and J.T. Stevens to serve as deacons. Dr. L.W. Chapman was named Treasurer and M.P. Bettis , Church Clerk.
The minutes of this first meeting further stated that Rev. G.N. Kimbrough was elected as pastor for a salary of $250.00 annually for two services per month conducted on the third Sunday of the month. The offerings taken at each service would be used to pay Rev. Kimbrough his salary and expenses when in Vredenburgh.
The minutes recorded August 18,1912 state that preparation for membership in the Pine Barren Association was the purpose of the meeting was the purpose of the meeting. Membership was granted when the Pine Barren Association’s annual meeting was held in Beatrice September 4, 1912.
The conference held December 15, 1912, established the serving of the Lord’s supper semi-annually in January an July. The meeting time was changed by request of Rev. Kimbrough to the first Sunday instead of the third Sunday that was established in the church organization.
The first “protracted meeting” was held October 26, through November 3, 1913. Four professions of faith were recorded. Baptismal services were performed at Concord Baptist Church in Buena Vista, Al.
On June 30, 1954, the Vredenburgh Family sold their holdings to International Paper Company Hollingsworth-Whitney (Scott Paper Company), and a group of investors who called themselves “The Wilmon Group.” In 1963 these corporations divided the properties and Wilmon Timberlands remains in Vredenburgh today.
In 1959 under the leadership of Rev. Robert E. (Mac) McCullough, the church went to a full time Baptist church. The other denominations had discontinued their services.
During the pastorate of Rev. Frank Schmidt (1960-1962) the church was given a house for the pastorium and the school building across the street. The school building was used for Sunday School rooms, fellowship, and youth activities.
The Saturday before Easter 1962 was a tragic one for Vredenburgh. The sawmill, operated by E.L. Bruce Cp. of Memphis, TN, burned and the owners would not replace it. The town was almost emptied as people moved away to find jobs. Frank Schmidt was pastor of the church. He left during the summer to go to another church.
Ben Jones of Columbus, GA rebuilt the sawmill and began operation in January ,1965. Several of the former residents moved back.
Sunday School continued under the leadership of Henry McIntosh. In 1966 Members of the church met in the home of Mr./Mrs. Clearance Fuller to discuss the possibility of renewing the worship service. It was voted to find a pastor for full-time services. The minutes of the church state that the church voted to call Gerald W. Kline as pastor. The vote was unanimous.
In 1968, Albert Huckaby became the pastor. He was there until 1971. He led the church to do many thigs and the congregation grew.
During 1969, Bathrooms were installed in the front halls, and pews were donated by individual families were added to the sanctuary. An extension was built on the back of the church to house five Sunday School rooms and a pastor’s study. Mr. Ben Jones donated the lumber and labor for this construction.
Also, during this hear the first Homecoming was set for March 16. Dinner was scheduled to be served outside, but rain prohibited this. Center pews were removed from the sanctuary and a table was set up on workhorses that extended from the church entrance to the altar. A record crowd of over 100 enjoyed this fellowship. The four-foot-wide table was filled to capacity with wonderful food brought by those attending.
The partition between the two rooms in the right wing of the church was removed and a fellowship hall was made. This took place in 1970.
New pulpit furniture and Remembrance Table were purchased in 1971.
The left wing of the church contains a library, storage closets, and a nursery.
Ben Jones (Longleaf Industries, Inc) sold the mill to Bendix Corporation in February 1976. He deeded the church property and the parsonage to Vredenburgh Baptist Church and dedication of this deed was held March 7, 1976. Rev. L. R. Brown was pastor. Dr. Billy Nutt came from the Alabama Baptist Convention to assist in this event.
Central air conditioning was installed in the educational wing in 1976. Central heat and air were installed in the sanctuary and fellowship hall in 1990, and heat strips were added in the system in the education wing.
The minutes recorded on January 10, 1982, state that the Lord’s Supper is to be served every fifth Sunday. This is still the practice of Vredenburgh Baptist Church.
On October 12, 1952, the church granted a license to preach to Cleveland Stabler. He is the pastor of Awin Baptist Church.
There were several periods in which no minute were recorded. It is assumed that business meetings were not always part of the church.
The church finances have been good and the minutes record a never ending generosity in the use of the abundance the Lord has provided.
Rev. Walter E. Sheffield has served as pastor since September 1983. He has turned in his resignation effective October 3, 1999. The church membership and activities have all been increased during his tenure as pastor.
Vredenburgh Baptist Church is still very active with 37 resident members. Sunday School, Discipleship Training, WMU, and Wednesday night prayer meeting are the services offered. There is a nursery provided for all services. Bible School has been very successful. ON fifth Sunday night a fellowship is enjoyed. Homecoming is an annual event on the last Sunday in September.
Addendum
There have been changes in the church since 1999. Three pastors have served. Randy Davis, Mitchell Murphy, and Gus Jones. Paul Kirchharr is now serving as interim.
In March 2006, a down draft wind destroyed the fellowship wing. Earnest Halbrook , George Pugh, Sam Bender, and Joanne M. McGraw were elected to the building committee. Work began in May to rebuild and was finished enough that Homecoming in September 2006 was held in it. Work was completed in October. This has been a real blessing to the church.
This year marks the 100th year for Vredenburgh Baptist Church. The only services are Sunday School and morning worship. We presently have 4 classes. We have an active WMU that meets once a month. Every Sumer we have Bible School.
Thanks to all who were involved in getting this document to me to share on this site. May God bless Vredenburgh Baptist to be as productive the next hundred years as the last one has been.
To all that read this post I hope you enjoyed learning about this beautiful old church that has withstood the test of time.