After its organization, the young church worshiped in the schoolhouse or the
Methodist Church building. The present property was bought from the Jenkins
heirs in June 1899, for the sum of $82.90. The first house of worship, which was
a large frame building containing one room, was built in the summer of 1899. The
dedication sermon was preached the first Sunday in October by Bro. W.M. Rudolph,
who had been called as pastor. The approximate cost of the building was $500.
The names of the first Trustees and Building Committee were: J.J. Kesterson,
Will J. Whitlow, Emmette Boyette, J.M. Eavens, and S.A. Gallemore.
The 20th Century
In 1920, a new red brick building with a balcony and five Sunday School
rooms, a Nursery and a Pastor's study was erected on the same site. A
Fellowship Hall with three classrooms, a kitchen and restrooms on the first floor,
and six classrooms on the upper floor was completed and opened April 2, 1959.
On April 3, 1977, a beautiful new educational building was dedicated to the
Lord's work. Completed February 12, 1977, it contained eight classrooms and four
restrooms.
On July 7, 1991, the first service was held in the new sanctuary of the
Sedalia Baptist Church, with the dedication service held August 14, 1991. Today,
this sanctuary stands in all its glory, with its spire pointing heavenward and
its stained-glass windows, as a symbol of love to those who worship there.
The first pastorium bought by the church for the pastor was obtained on November
14, 1917, from Deacon George W. Carmen, and was the same property as used today.
However, in 1946, during the pastorate of Bro. Leo Ga1ey, this property was sold and
a tract of land was bought from Deacon J.D. Scott, just south on the Lynnville Road,
and a five-room house was built. In 1974 this church property was sold to Mike Cates,
and the former home (the first pastorium) was purchased again by the church and was
occupied by Bro. Alvin York and all pastors since that time.
100 birthdays and a new millenium
On July 22, 1998, the church celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a full
days' program with former pastors, members and friends in attendance. A drama
of the organization of the church, with stand-ins representing its thirteen
charter members, was presented during the morning and former pastors Bro. A.W.
Landis, Bro. Charles Blair and Bro. Glyn Orr were speakers through the day. Bro.
Charlie Simmons, our Association Director, took part on the program, while
Phillip Forester had charge of the musical program.
The construction of a new Fellowship Hall with multiple classrooms,
offices and a full kitchen was completed in 2000. Our latest and
largest structural addition is the magnificent Multi-Purpose Center
completed in 2006. This building includes a gymnasium and basketball
courts, a stage for performances and plays, a meeting & acivity room with a
full kitchen, and office spaces. The Multi-Purpose Center is often
referred to as the "Youth Building" because our youth ministry uses it for
meetings, worship, and many other activities. It also contains the
office of Bro. David Edwards, our Youth Pastor.
Bro. Spencer Pate has been Pastor since 2003, after serving for three
years as our Youth Pastor. We honor the many former pastors and servants
who have, since the beginning, given countless hours for the cause of Christ at this place.
Those serving as Pastors prior to Bro. Pate are:
