The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-03
Baptists Have First Ser vice in New Building.
GREAT INTEREST IS SHOWN
Sermon Of Promise Preached By
 Dr. Stakely.
whiIe special Room Has Been Pre- pared for the ConEresatien, BSiIaing wni Not Be Com-
 pletea rn November.


 Taking the same text for has two sermons of yesterday that he did on last Sunday, when the old building Of the First Baptist Church on North Court Street was abandoned. Dr. Charles A. Stakely preached a stirring sermon yesterday in the new building on Perry Street. While the sermons Of last Sunday were retrospective in their tone. the sermons of yesterday were fililed with promises and bright visions for the future.
 Mrs. Waller, who was present at the first service held in the old church, and who has since then been 8 member Of the church. attended the service yester- day.
 The services were held in the assem- bly room of the new building. the one room of the church which has been completely finished. This room is to be used when the building is completely finished as a library, and for the social features of the church organization. It is to be a sort of department of ar. chives and history.
 It has been planned by the officers of the church for all of the members of the congregation who had attended tn c services to be held in the old building in 1852 to be present at the services of yesterday. This plan, however, was
  ness of the day. Mrs. Waller, however, attended in spite of the cold.
 While it was little too cold for the older members of the church to be present, there were between 500 and i, 700 Baptists at the morning service and almost as large a congregation at the night services. The day was one of rejoicing. The Business Mems Bible Class, according to a prearranged plan, assembled at the old church yesterday morning and marched in a body to the new building, Dr. Stakeiy with the leaders of the class, heading the pro- cession.
 While there is no organ in the as- sembiy room, an elaborate musical pro- gram had been arranged and was car- ried through to the greatest success. In the hymns sung the congregation joined the choir in making the new place of worship ring with praise.
 The room itself Is most beautiful. It is simple in it's arrangement, being in- tended for a library and social func- tions of the church. The floor Is tiled. with strips of carpet running down the isles to deaden the noise of footsteps. The seats are chairs made for the room.
 The walls yesterday were hung with full portraits of all of the ministers of the First Baptist Church who had been pastors Of the First Baptist Church since it's advent into the State in 1883. with the exception of three DOT traits, which the church has as yet not been able to secure The portraits are not old ones, but have been painted from photographs. The committee which has the matter in charge are exerting every energy toward the se- curing of the three missing portraits.
 The room is well-heated, and is electric lighted.
 It Is the intention of the congregation of the church to have the new building entirely completed by November, at which time the centennial of the Bap- tist Church of America will be obsery- ed with fitting ceremonies.