Grimes Chapel celebrates 100th anniversary, homecoming
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Rosie Bryant, left, and Kitty Adams are recognized as the oldest church members of Grimes Chapel Baptist Church, honored for their longevity of service. Photo submitted
Grimes Chapel’s oldest church members, Rosie Bryant and Kitty Adams, are accompanied by their sons, Mac Adams and Harold Bryant. Pictured from left are Harold Bryant, Rosie Bryant, Kitty Adams, and Mac Adams. Photo submitted
Joyce Peters with the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presents Grimes Chapel Pastor Jeff Chick with a certificate honoring the church’s one hundredth anniversary. Photo submitted
The Chosen Anointed Trio; comprised of Danny Dukes, Margaret Hendon and Mike Price; are the featured singers for the special celebration. Photo submitted
On behalf of the Central Baptist Association, Dani Reams presents Pastor Jeff Chick with a certificate of appreciation to Grimes Chapel for being an active part of the association and congratulating the congregation on its one hundredth anniversary. Photo submitted
Photo Submitted.
Children’s clothing made by some members of the congregation are on display with information about who made them, the year they were made, who wore them, and the family lineage. Photo submitted
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Grimes Chapel Baptist Church, located near Stewartville, recently celebrated its Homecoming with a special milestone, hosting a joint celebration for the church’s one hundredth anniversary.
On September 15, the congregation welcomed current and former members, guests, special representatives, and others for its joint celebratory service. Pastor Jeff Chick welcomed everyone and also provided a presentation on the church’s rich history.
Baptist minister and school teacher Rev. E.L. Smith and Rev. Ben Calloway hosted a revival and received seven members, which was enough to begin a church. J.E. Grimes was the first member, and he donated two acres of land for the church.
It was decided at that time that the name of the church would be Grimes Chapel. Work began on the original church building in the summer of 1924, and on August 4, 1924, the church was organized as a Missionary Baptist church.
The church’s recorded history notes that in November 1937 the offering was $2.25, and preaching was held once a month.
Approximately 16 years after its founding, in the spring of 1940 the church was wired for electricity. However, in January 1942 the members voted to build a new church, and the old church building was sold to U. L. Smith in February 1942 for $120.
In August of that same year the new church building was finished and paid for, with a total cost of $1,187.34. Since then numerous additions and repairs have been made, with the latest being a new fellowship hall, but the church is completely free of debt.
More recent years have also seen changes at the church property, with the parsonage no longer being needed and being dedicated as the Wanda “Katie” Danford Children’s Center in 2013. Also, in 2018 the Cemetery Committee underwent complete renovation of the church graveyard, installing new fencing, obtaining brass markers and recording all graves on a computer program.
While celebrating its history and honoring its one hundredth anniversary, Grimes Chapel also gave special honor to two ladies who have been members of the church the longest, Kitty Adams and Rosie Bryant. The two were accompanied at the celebration by their sons Mac Adams and Harold Bryant, and the congregation honored them for their longevity of service.
Kitty Adams began attending Grimes Chapel Baptist Church in the 1950s and was baptized in 1988, officially joining the church. A member of the choir for many years, Adams has also taught class and various ages in Bible school, and she has seen five of her six children baptized at Grimes Chapel.
Rosie Bryant joined the church in 1954, having been saved in 1953. She and her husband, Houston, joined the church together when she was 24 and he was 28, being baptized together.
While Houston was the song leader at the church for 43 years, she taught Sunday school for 40 years.
During the anniversary and homecoming celebration, Grimes Chapel’s congregation recognized both Adams and Bryant for their dedication and years of service to the Lord and Grimes Chapel, as well as for the “fine example” they have set in their church and families.
The day’s celebration included the Chosen Anointed Trio as featured singers and special certificate presentations by Joyce Peters with the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission and Dani Reams with the Central Baptist Association.
Grimes Chapel Baptist Church is located at 25323 Coaling Road, Sylacauga, 35151, off of County Road 29 in the Stewartville community.
