Perseverance and faith: First Baptist Church celebrates 175th anniversary

Members of First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau listen to Pastor W. Michael Shupert Sunday, November 1, 2009, during the 175th anniversary celebration service. To commemorate the church's anniversary, a plack has been placed at the original site of the Baptist Church on Lorimer Street in Cape Girardeau. (LAURA SIMON) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Even with such changes as a move to its present location and the controversial ordination of women deacons, the church's willingness to show the love of Christ for Cape Girardeau has remained constant, Hamblin said.

And that, Hamblin believes, has kept the church going strong since it began in 1834.

"Perseverance is what keeps organizations around for this long," Hamblin said after a special service to mark the church's 175th anniversary. "We've had some bad things happenm but we've also had some great moments as well. We'll continue to survive because of our care and love for our community."

Hamblin was one of about 175 people who gathered Sunday to celebrate the church's anniversary. The day included recognition of long-time members, a dedication of a plaque at the original church site and a message by a former editor of a Missouri Baptist newspaper.

Throughout the year, the church has held other events to mark the anniversary including concerts, publication of a commemorative cookbook, planting of a tree and a visit from national speaker the Rev. Tony Campolo.

In his message at the service, the Rev. Bob Terry -- former editor of Word and Way newspaper -- talked about the meaning of being Baptist. Those attributes include a belief in religious freedom and the ability for Baptist churches to maintain their own independence.

"It is true that a local body of Baptist believers worship and through this body we minister to others," said Terry, editor of the publication form 1975 to 1995. "It is here that we live out this process in becoming the children of God. It is this local body of believers that become the nucleus of the Christian faith."

The Rev. Mike Shupert, pastor of the congregation, said the church has survived for 175 years because of its care for the community and willingness to adapt to changes.

"It's very unusual for a church to last this long," Shupert said. "Trust is very important for any congregation and I believe the community has seen how much we care about people, which is one reason we've survived."

Shupert said among the most significant changes was the ordination of women as deacons in 1996 and to the ministry in 2003. First Baptist Church became the first Baptist church in the area to adopt the practices, leading to its disqualification from membership in the Missouri Baptist Convention in 2006. The church has ties to the rival Baptist General Convention of Missouri.

Other changes have included the adoption of a blended style that includes a praise band and contemporary music and the move to a new location in 2006.

"We're a progressive church with a diversity of opinion and openness," Shupert said. "It takes a special church to endure changes and still continue to effectively minister. We're a church that is not afraid to change and do whatever it takes to be a loving church."

The church was organized Aug. 13, 1834, with a membership of nine. Thomas Parish Green served as the first pastor of the church, whose original location was at Lorimier Street near the Common Pleas Court House, according to church records.

By 1894 the church had grown to 227 members, one year after moving to its second location at Broadway and Spanish Street. The church continued to grow and by the time it moved into its third building at 926 Broadway in 1927, membership had increased to 719. Records show the most significant growth occurred in 1926, when the church saw a net gain of 258 members when evangelist Billy Sunday preached a revival in Cape Girardeau.

In 2003 the church sold its campus to Southeast Missouri State University and made plans to relocate to 1289 Lexington Ave. The congregation held its first service there Jan. 1, 2006. Shupert said between 125 and 175 people now worship at First Baptist on a Sunday morning.

The future of First Baptist Church -- which has helped start Red Star Baptist Church, Lynwood Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church and Second Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau -- looks bright, according to Shupert.

"When we moved here, it was like God was saying 'I'm not finished with you yet,'" Shupert said. "He still has much more in store for us to do for him."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

1289 Lexington Avenue, Cape Girardeau, MO