In its early days, the Mt. Hebron West Baptist Church was known as Mt. Hebron Baptist Church of Christ. The church was organized in 1844, but for many years prior to that date, this location had been a site for religious gatherings of all faiths. The people came in carriages and ox carts, sometimes staying for up to three weeks at a time, to worship in the outdoor temple known as the brush arbor.
The land on which Mt. Hebron church building is located was donated by Mr. Baker, a charter member, and the first buried in the cemetery was his daughter in 1852. The church was first lighted with candles, then brass lamps and later more ornate glass lamps. The first electric lighting system was installed in 1925. 102 members were on record in the year 1867.
We know from the beginning there was a place provided for the slaves, and that they continued to worship at Mt. Hebron long after the Civil War. Ned Adkins, a former slave, was refused the pulpit after having preached here on numerous occasions. Mt. Hebron decided September 18, 1868 to build the former slaves their own church. It was named Adkins Hill and was most likely the first church built in our area for former slaves after the war.
This church in the 1800's disciplined their own. Many members were excommunicated from our church for drinking, dancing, and adultery. One man was excluded from the church roll for using ugly words, and another for working on the Lord’s Day.
In 1878, Bro. J. M. Johnson of Coosa County began serving as our pastor. He walked from Coosa County to Mt. Hebron for two years to preach on Saturday and Sunday each month. The church bought him a horse, and he rode horseback to the services for many years.
In 1889 the church constructed a white frame building which served as our meeting place until 1957. In 1891, the membership had more than doubled and Sunday School had been reorganized with 40 on roll.
In 1913, the church voted to withdraw its membership in the Montgomery Association in order to join the Elmore County Baptist Association, of which we are now members.
In March 1937, the church agreed to bring Sunday’s eggs to the church to be given for the Lord’s work, with the proceeds to be set-aside in a special fund. Also in 1937, the church added a fourth Sunday of preaching in every month.
On July 30, 1944 the church celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Centennial Program included a message on Baptist History by Dr. A. Hamilton Reid, as well as the history of Mt. Hebron West by Mrs. W. J. Watkins.
In 1950, the church began its Prison Ministry under the direction of Bro. Harvey Sarber.
In 1952, a building committee was formed for the purpose of building a pastorium. Bro. L. O. Dozier donated the land and the pastorium was completed. The church budget in 1952 was $4,800.
January 20, 1957, we had a ground-breaking service for the new church building. Two acres had been bought from Mr. R. B. Parsons. The building was completed at a cost of $40,000. The low finishing price was due to the men of Mt. Hebron working day and night in their spare time to help keep the cost down. The first service was February 16, 1958. In June 1957 the church was legally incorporated under the name Mount Hebron Baptist Church West.
In May 1958, there were 299 enrolled in Sunday School with an average attendance of 150. The Annie Armstrong Offering was $21.58. The Kathleen Mallory and Lottie Moon offerings totaled $35.78. The new church was dedicated the fifth Sunday of November 1958. Dr. A. Hamilton Reid brought our sermon that day.
In 1964, the corner lot by the pastorium was purchased from Mr. R. B. Parsons and the pastorium was remodeled. A carport, bedroom and bath were added at this time. Mrs. Ruthie Dozier was awarded the highest Study Course Award, having studied over 100 books.
In 1965, we bought the first church bus for $300.
In July 1966, the deacons went on a rotating system. In August 1966, the blueprint for a new educational building was studied. In September 1966, the church voted to borrow $45,000.00 to build the building. The church was air-conditioned in the spring of 1966. The first part-time secretary was hired December 1966.
In May 1967, the Prayer Room was added to our church at a cost of $600.00. We reached 315 in Sunday School. The budget for that year was $40,078.
In 1971, Mt. Hebron called it's first full-time choir director, Bro. Frank Baker.
October 1974, Dr. Ron Phillips, moved to the field. During 1974-75 the church experienced the largest growth in one year in the history of the Elmore Baptist Association (87 were baptized and 121 by letter). The church had the highest Sunday School Attendance in its history with 366 on the last Sunday in March 1975. The prison ministry under the leadership of Bro. Harvey Sarber celebrated its 25th Anniversary in April 1975. Also in March 1975, we launched the tape ministry. By October 1, 190 cassette tapes had been distributed. Bro. Ellis Logan was elected the director of this ministry. The highlight of the year was the dedication of our remodeled auditorium. The auditorium was refurnished with a red and white decor. Furnishings included chandeliers, new cushioned pews, new pulpit furniture, cushioned choir seats and the new Baptist Hymnal. Bro. Harold Anderson brought the dedication message.
In January 1976, we had the kick-off day for a $325,000 bond sale. In three days, the total amount of bonds were sold. This year our church led the Association in souls won to the Lord. In November, we called Rev. Charles Freeman to be our first Associate Pastor in charge of education and youth.
In March 1977, we moved into our new building. Dr. George Bagley, Executive Secretary to the Alabama Baptist Convention brought the message. The Inspirations Quartet sang in concert in the new building. Dr. E. J. Daniels preached for us while he was leading a Tri-County Tent Crusade in our area. In November 1977, Bro. Don Graham came to be our pastor. In October 1978, Bro. Buel Harms came as Minister of Education and Outreach.
July 1979, our church ordained Steve Folmar into the ministry. Also in July, Jimmy F. Sims came as our pastor. In November 1979, we began to use our new kitchen and Fellowship Hall.
In June 1980, Wayne Lowe became the Minister of Music and Youth. The first “Singing Christmas Tree” was performed on December 14, 1980.
In March 1982, Dr. Gerald C. Hallmark became pastor. On December 5, 1982 the church commissioned Jim and Carol McGriff as missionaries to Guatemala, where they are still serving.
The “Living Cross” was first performed at Mt. Hebron on April 15, 1984.
In December 1985, Sidney Nichols became pastor.
In October 1987, Jimmy Veazey was called as Minister of Music and Youth. In December 1987 the church purchased a new thirty-passenger bus.
In January 1988 the church paid off the building debt three years early. A “Glory Day” celebration was held on February 7 featuring the Inspirations in concert. An additional ten acres of land was purchased by the church in March 1988. The Davis Cemetery is located on a portion of this property.
On July 22, 1990, the church voted to call Rev. Kenneth R. Clement as our pastor. Bro. Ken came to Mt. Hebron West after a long and successful pastorate of 18 years at the Indian Springs First Baptist Church in Pelham, Alabama.
A new Sunday School Record Attendance was set on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1991, with 418 persons in attendance. Three weeks later, April 21, 1991, a new Sunday School Record Attendance of 419 was achieved on “Friend Day”.
On June 16, 1991, the church voted unanimously to refurbish the sanctuary. This included new carpet in the sanctuary and educational buildings, re-upholstering the pews, painting the sanctuary, enlarging the stage, and changing the color scheme of the entire facility at a total cost of $75,000. The sanctuary was closed for three weeks while the work was accomplished and we had two worship services in the fellowship hall each Sunday to accommodate the crowds. The refurbished sanctuary was dedicated on September 22, 1991.
In the midst of the remodeling project, God opened the door for our church to purchase the Parsons Property located next to our church. This included the Parsons house and six acres adjacent to our sanctuary and 40-plus acres across Highway 143 bounded by County Road 23 (Ceasarville Road) and the land already owned by the church.
The “Leap of Faith” Youth Revival, September 12-15, 1993, was one of the greatest revivals in the history of this church. 90 persons made public professions of faith and many other public decisions were recorded. This crusade was led by David Naser and Michael John Clement. On the final night of the Crusade, the singing group “TRUTH” performed here. More than 800 people jammed into our sanctuary for this service and more than 40 youth received Christ that night, including a Russian exchange student.
In August 1994, the church celebrated its 150th anniversary. A weeklong celebration featured several former pastors and staff members, as well as the Inspirations in concert.
In 1995 the church presented the drama “Heaven’s Gates And Hell’s Flames,” featuring a cast of over 50 from our own congregation. In three nights, 325 decisions were made, including 170 professions of faith.
1n 1997, the church again presented “Heaven’s Gates And Hell’s Flames,” resulting in the largest evangelistic crusade in the church’s history, with 909 decisions, including 361 professions of faith. The church baptized 51 people that year.
In 1999, the church paid off the debt from our land purchase. In September of that year, the church began its first semester of FAITH Evangelism.
In 2000 the church hosted an evangelistic crusade featuring the “Power Team.” 789 decisions were made, including 402 professions of faith.
In 2001, Bro. Jimmy Veazey became our Associate Pastor of Worship and Church Growth, and the church called Kevin Wilburn to be our Student Pastor. The drama “Heaven’s Gates And Hell’s Flames” was again presented, resulting in 294 decisions and 186 professions of faith.
In 2002, the church elected a Vision Team, whose responsibilities included setting future goals and recommending long-range plans for the church. Also that year, the pastorium was renovated to become the Youth H.O.U.S.E., a place for our students to meet and worship.
In April 2003 the church adopted a recommendation from the Vision Team, “Ministry Goals and Priorities for 2003-2005.” Also in April, our pastor, Bro. Ken Clement celebrated his 40th anniversary in the ministry. In November 2003, Bro. Ken resigned as pastor to become the Director of Missions for the DeKalb Association in north Alabama. His 13-year tenure as pastor is the longest in our church’s history.
In June 2004 Mt. Hebron welcomed Jeremy Jones as our Student Pastor and Andrew Smith as our Interim Pastor. In August 2004 the church celebrated its 160th anniversary.
In February 2005 Mt. Hebron welcomed Dr. Steve King as Pastor. In April 2007 the church voted to build a new facility to include new Preschool classrooms and a new Fellowship Hall. Construction began in December 2007 and the building was formally dedicated in August 2008.
MOUNT HEBRON WEST BAPTIST CHURCH PASTORS
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1868 J. A. Ray
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1915 G. C. Chance
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1951 F. E. Wheeler
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1876 H. C. Taul
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1918 Patterson
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1952 Ernest Walker
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1878 J. M. Johnston
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1919 U. M. Gardner
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1956 Herbert Davis
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1887 F. C. Waite
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1921 B. R. Justice
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1960 Maxwell Preston
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1889 J. M. Johnson
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1964 C. S. Knapp
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1894 A. C. Swindle
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1927 W. A. Goss
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1969 J. B. Snyder
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1897 Loyd Hastie
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1930 M. B. Brassell (Sept)
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1973 Fred Donovan
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1899 Shelton
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1930 J. L. P. Cook
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1974 Ronnie M. Phillips
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1901 Palmer (March)
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1934 A. D. Shumaker
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1977 G. Donald Graham
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1901 R. H. Folmer (August)
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1936 Jennings Baggett
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1979 Jimmy F. Sims
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1902 H. R. Schramm
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1937 J. E. Hamrick
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1982 Gerald C. Hallmark
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1905 A. C. Swindle
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1942 J. W. Jones
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1985 Sidney W. Nichols
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1909 W. R. Adams
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1947 W. W. Clifford
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1990 Kenneth R. Clement
2005 Steve King
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