The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-08-21

dance in the community.
The original building, DESTROYED
by the "big fire" Of 1883, was
shortly replaced with the present
handsome colonial type structure
which has been a physical as well
as 4 spiritual landmark.
The austere simplicity Of the in
terror of the house Of worship is
relieved BY wainscoting, a modern
addition, and deIicately carved
frescoes placed near the ceiling.
A painting Of a Jordan River
scene which adorns the baptistry.
done by the wife Of a former pas.
tor, the Rev. r. Sims, is still adj
mired by all who enter the main
auditorium.
Many persons Of national and in
ternational fame have come to the
simple sanctuary to worship.
Truman Worshipped Here
Of the most recent pers0nages to
occupy pew in the old church.
former President Harry Truman IS
perhaps the best known.
He attended worship services on
several occasions while vacation
ing at the Little White House on
the Naval Station and always oc-
cupied the same pew which bears
. plaque attesting to his first visit
to the church.
Tucked Ia between the massive
architecture Of st. Paul's Episco-
pal Church and the First Metho-
dist, the city's oldest Baptist
church presents a striking appear
ance.
Ia more recent years, growth If
the congregation has dictated first
the addition Of an annex, then the
placing Of basement beneath the
main structure.
Despite the fact that growth in
the past few years has been ham
pered by lack of adequate parking
space, plans are in the minds and
prayers Of church leaders for fur
Their expansion Of the church plant
and facilities.
New Psws Planned
In the immediate future, new
pews viii grace the main auditor
ium. The order for the new seats
has been placed with the manufac-
turer and late advices from the
firm indicate that they win be
ready for installation within 4
month.
Other plans in the dreams Of the
congregation include the erection
Of q modern education building and
recreation rooms but such improve
ments must, necessarily. be con
tingent upon the financial ability Of
the Organization.
In addition to the property At
the church site, the church also
owns its pastors home at 1890
South Street.
The church carried out a full pro
gram as recommended BY the
Southern Baptist Convention and
fully supports all denominational
objects through regular and spe. |
cial offerings.
Jealous Pastor
The present pastor, the Rev. TIar.
old II. Link, came to Key West
about three years ago and has be.
come well-knoWn throughout the |
city for his humble Christian atti. /
tude and his zeal in promoting the |
Masters work IN the communists. |
Four services are conducted At |
the church each Sunday - Sunday
School at $3.50 a. M, morning wor-
ship services at 1850 a. M, Ban
fist Training Union at 6:15 D. M.
and the evening worship hour at
1880 p. m.
The mid-week prayer service,
conducted at 7:3O p. m. on We'd
is one of the best-liked
services of the program.
The Rev. Mr.. Link said TODAY
that the church Is inherently 4
church and extended 4 cor
dial invitation to any who would |
to attend any or all of Sundays
services.
Morning Topic
At the morning service on Sun
day, the pastor win discuss ''The
Gospel of Enabling Grace" using
Philippians Alb as the basis for
the sermon.
Heavens Search for Sinners"
win be the subject for the even
ing worship service with Matthew
1912 1S as ScripturaI back
ground.
There are classes for all ages
1t the Sunday School session pre-
ceding the morning service as well /
as unions for all ages at the Bap-
list Training Union Hour.
81 am extending a special and
urgent invitation to all people Of
our city," The Rev. Mr.. Link said |
today, TO attend worship services
on tomorrow. Our world is teeter-
ing on the brink of ruin with men
frantically searching for an escape
from what appears to be almost
certain doom. There is but one es-
cape route. God provided it long
. 90. Men must turn to Christ and
serve him in humility, confessing
their sins and calling upon the
Lord and He has promised to hear
- - hool Al -, 80 nv -1.,.-nl