The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-22
OLD BAPTIST CHURCH SOLD;
 TO ERECT OFFICE BUILDING

some of the most distinguished fami- lies of Alabama are bound to the old building. There their loved ones were baptized; at It's altar the sacred words were spoken that united families and there, too, tears had been shed for those who had closed their eyes forever and passed to the Great Beyond.
 Rev. c. A. Stakely, D. D.. the present pastor of the First Baptist Church. himself one of the most d. .inguished ministers of his denomination, came to Montgomery about four years ago from 0 Washington church. It has been his dearest wish to see the building of new house of worship commensurate with the importance and the numerical strength of the congregation. This wish Is soon to be gratitied.
 Dr. Stakely last night gave some in- teresting history of the old church house and the early congreg atton "f the First Baptist Church. There were Baptist families in what is now Mont gomery, before the city was given that name. They were connected with Old Elam Church. about six miles east of the city. Old Elam Church was or ganized in 1877 and was the first church of any denomination in Mont gomery County.
 Under the leadership of Rev. Lee Compere, the first pastor of n Mont gomery Baptist Church. the conGrCga- 'ion which developed into tho First Baptist Church of Montgomery was or Ranized in October, 1929. It appears 10 have been reorganized in 1882.
 Donated by John Gindrat.
 About this time John Gindrat, the grandfather of the late Judge John Gindrat Winter. purchased from the Alabama company a fractional square known as No. 29, which was a lot at the corner of the streets now known us Bibb ond Tallapoosa He donated this lot for a church to be known as "the Montgomery Baptist Church Gy the purchase of additional land the lot was afterwards extended.
 Rev Lee Conpere was succeeded Tn 1885 by Rev. Dr. J. II. Dcvotie :n whose administration probably the first building was erected on the lot. It was a plain frame building Of modest dimensions. This building Serv ed the congregation for nearly twenty years giving way in 1852 to the present house of worship just purchased by Messrs. Cook and Laurie. The old frame building was removed to the corner of Jefferson and North McDon- ough Streets where it was used as business house until few years ago.
  ed in almost it's present shape In 1852 during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Tal- bird. The old building has been the scene of many events which have be- oome historic in the annals of the Dar- tist Church of Alabama and ihe south. It is the center of many of the sweet est memories of the members of the congregation.
 First to Be Baptized.
 The first persons ever baptized in this old church were Mrs. Sarah Gins drat, the wife of John Gindrat end Mrs. Mary D Harris. who were bap- tized by Rev. Alexander-irrn~is. It's register contains names that have con tributed to the glory of Montg omery n every branch of its progress and de- velopment.
 The commercial growth of MontGom- cry has crowded upon the quaint o:d church building until 1t is now shut In by marts of trade. Long since, the congregation realized that more com modIous quarters must be secured. Out of this condition was born the move ihent to purchase the fine piece of property on Perry Street and build handsome house of worship which Is now in course of construction.
 Business men. who have been for some time advocating an extension ot the commercial district of the city, see in the purchase of the old church property by Messrs. Cook and laurie an augury for the expansion of the business district to that vicinity and it Is said that already property near the old church has been advanced in price.