Our History
RAYS THROUGH THE MIST
On Saturday, October 10, 1970, a group of Hartselle people met at the old County Agent’s Office (now AA meeting place) on South Sparkman Street to worship. This was the beginning of a NEW DAY for these people.
Today, October 1971, there is a new sanctuary sitting on a hill on the east side of Hartselle on Highway 36. It is a beautiful sight and the fruit of the untiring effort of these faithful people.
One year ago, there were some who had doubts; but even those people put their working abilities into this vast building program. So we are meeting in the new building October 10, 1971, just one year after the first meeting. Isn’t it glorious!
This church is East Highland Baptist Church; and it was built by many, many hours of free labor given unselfishly by devoted members, old and young. It is hoped that this church will always be a warm and friendly place. I could not mention all of the names of those who have worked so hard; but our pastor, Rev. Wilburn Smallwood and wife, Dorothy, are leading us in our endeavors and they are surely God’s chosen!
We have built this church with God’s blessing. We know this for He has helped us with all our needs. As you worship with us today, we hope you feel God’s presence as we do. This church has not been built without tears; but God’s “radiance came through the mist.”
By: Laverne Black
Historian, 1971
Now, 53 years later, look how the Lord has blessed. From a charter membership of 113 to a membership of 761; from a total offering of $24,279 to a budget of $727,218; from a staff of one to a staff of seven with a music and education ministry, youth ministry, children’s ministry, and mission ministry. During Bro. Wally’s time with us, we have witnessed 128 baptisms and 260 members by statement or transfer of letter. We have moved into a $2 million sanctuary. My, how the Lord has continued to shower His blessings upon East Highland.
May we all remain faithful, letting Him work through us as He advances His Kingdom here on earth.
Charter Members
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Black, Edwin
Jackson, Jimmy
Morrison, Johnny
Stephenson, Donald
Black, Larry
Jackson, Keith
Morrison, Suzanne
Stephenson, Douglas
Black, Laverne
Jackson, Patricia
Newman, Robert
Stephenson, John Lee
Black, Milford
Jackson, Ralph
Newman, Sandra
Stephenson, Lloyd
Blackwood, Cordis
Jackson, Wilda
Newman, Wilma
Stephenson, Mary
Blackwood, Dale
Kyle, Ironus
Orme, James
Stephenson, Maxine
Blackwood, Sarah
Kyle, Nolla
Orme, Mae
Stephenson, Mellsa
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Brooks, Defas
Lankford, Barbara
Orr, Carolyn
Stephenson, Richard
Brooks, Iva
Lankford, Gene
Orr, Charlene
Thompson, Edna Nell
Brooks, Tim
Lankford, Milton
Patterson, Susan
Thompson, Judy
Brooks, Tony
Lawrence, Barbara
Reed, Alvie
Thompson, Mike
Crutchfield, Willie Maude
Lawrence, Buaford
Reed, Eula
Thompson, Ray
Dobbs, James Doris
Lawrence, Martha Lee
Shaneyfelt, Barbara
Thompson, Raymond
Dobbs, Pam
Lawrence, Jay
Watson, Linda
Hall, Eva
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Shaneyfelt, L. E.
Thompson, Tommy
Dobbs, Paula
Ledlow, Clyde
Shaneyfelt, Mary
Thompson, Winnie
Dobbs, Sarah
Ledlow, Dorothy
Slate, Jerry
Ware, Festa
Dodson, Edna
Lett, Judy
Slate, Marie
Ware, M. J.
Dodson, Thomas
Looney, Robert
Slate, Max
Watson, Carolyn
Drake, Dorothy
Mays, Johnnie
Slate, Murphy
Watson, Jerry
Giles, Opal
Mays, Mattie
Smallwood, Dorothy
Watson, Johnny
Giles, R. L.
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McClanahan, Harold
Smallwood, Lothlan
Watson, Mary
Hall, Wade
McClanahan, Myrtis
Smallwood, Wilbur
White, Bettye
Hammond, George
McCown, Elane
Smith, Denna
White, J. C.
Hammond, Hazel
McCown,Faye
Spigner, Evelyn
White, Marne
Hanson, Modenia
McCown, Willie Pearl
Spigner, James
Wilson, Claude
Hill, Mary
McCown, Vernon
Stephenson, Alma
Wilson, Lori
Jackson, Janet
Morrison, Eulala
Stephenson, Chris
McClanahan, Gilman
Smallwood, Lantee
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