Minerva Baptist turns 200

MINERVA The Minerva Baptist Church, located on Route 28N in Minerva, will celebrate its Bicentennial Anniversary in October. Originally founded on Oct. 17, 1807, as the Second Baptist Church of Schroon, the church has welcomed the faithful through its doors without interruption for two centuries. This is a very special time, says Church Pastor Rev. Trudy Pettibone. The number of people in our church is a relatively small number, but they do a wonderful job of keeping the church going. The life of this church is very important and anyone from the community is welcome to come and share in this celebration. To plan the event, church members Madeline Raymond, Frank LaBar, and Barbara Curtis formed a celebration committee in 2005. Their goal was to celebrate the longevity of the church, to recognize various figures that contributed to its history, and offer the community the opportunity to share in its continued success. Celebration events will open on Saturday afternoon, October 13, with a coffee and fellowship hour beginning at 12:30 p.m.. Following the fellowship at 2 p.m., the celebration will officially begin with a welcome message and opening prayer provided by Reverend Trudy Pettibone. During the service, there will be a Sharing of Memories ceremony, in which attendees are invited to reflect on their memories of the church. Its hard to believe the celebration is really here, notes Pettibone. Im really looking forward to hearing some of the old stories. The North Country Christian Brass will accompany all congregational singing on Saturday. In addition, on Saturday afternoon, Reverend David Powles, Minerva Baptist Church Pastor from 1979 to 1983, will share his reflections on the churchs history. Immediately following Reverend Powles message, the much-anticipated marble cornerstone will be opened and its contents displayed. The cornerstone and its enclosed memories have remained undisturbed since being placed there during the churchs 150-year celebration event. At 5 p.m., the group will reassemble at the Minerva firehouse, located on Route 28N, for a celebration dinner beginning at 5:30. The celebration dinner will conclude with an evening message provided by Dr. Sheldon Hurst, a former interim Minister of the church and currently a professor at Adirondack Community College. On Sunday, October 14, morning services will begin at 9:30 a.m., with a special message provided by popular former interim Minister, Reverend Ray Lloyd. Sandra LaBar will provide Sundays worship music. A brunch will follow the morning service, and the celebration will conclude with the parish members placing new items in the cornerstone and returning the stone to its resting place in the churchs northeastern corner. The public is welcomed to the two-day event. Those desiring to attend the Saturday evening dinner are asked to notify the church in advance. Anyone interested may also visit the Minerva Historical Societys commemorative display, located at the former Methodist Church in Olmstedville. For further information, or to arrange a time to share personal memories of the church, contact Reverend Pettibone at (518) 251-2031.

Signup for our newsletter

Minerva Baptist turns 200

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS