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Poplar Dell Baptist Church To Celebrate 100th Anniversary, Open Time Capsule
June 2, 2011
The excitement is growing in Byrneville as residents anxiously await to find out what’s in a time capsule that’s been hidden away for 50 years at the Poplar Dell Baptist Church as the church prepares for its 100th anniversary.
During an event this Sunday, the church will open its cornerstone, which was placed and secured at the church 50 years ago. Items inside will reflect information about the church and community from 1961. A new cornerstone will also be created with 2011 memorabilia. It will be opened in 2061. (Join NorthEscambia.com Monday morning to find out what is inside the time capsule.)
Established in 1911, Poplar Dell has ministered to its members and other community members for an entire century. Although the building itself has changed, its message has not.
“We strive to be a light in darkness to the lost, while continuing to minister to the saved,” says the church’s 35th pastor, Mitch Herring. “Any person who is connected to Poplar Dell Baptist Church in any way is going to want to be here.”
The 100th Homecoming is set for June 5, beginning at 10:00 a.m. There will be no Sunday School, but the day will kick off with a special attendance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, complete with their horses and riders, followed by 15-minute increment guest speaking of former pastors. The Poplar Dell Puppet Bunch will perform their first ever performance followed by singing from the Calloways of Jay.
The largest dinner the church has probably ever hosted will follow the morning service.
“The church has prepared for double or even triple attendance,” adds the pastor. “We have tables, chairs and food coming from all over. No space is no excuse. We want anyone who desires to celebrate with us to come.”
A three-day revival will follow on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
A historical book covering the entire 100-year period, complete with photos and documents, will be available for $5 on Sunday. Contact Vicki Baggett at vicki@baggettsolutions.com if you would like a book but cannot attend Sunday’s event.
Pictured top: The Jack Gentry family, 1911 charter members of Poplar Dell Baptist Church. Pictured inset: The modern-day Poplar Dell Baptist Church. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
22 Responses to “Poplar Dell Baptist Church To Celebrate 100th Anniversary, Open Time Capsule”
Heard the bells this morning from Poplar Dell. What wonderful music. May they ring for 100 more years. God Bless and keep you all!
I am working out of state this week and will miss the event; I would love to have been there.
Congratulations to the church and the members. You are a wonderful group and I am glad to be a member. My Dad, Brother, and several friends are buried there so my heart will always be with the church.
May God continue to richly bless you.
Oh what a wonderful gift a church to stay alive for 100 years and be able to share it with all in the community. Here’s praying that God blesses the event with many many people coming to join you. The largest part of my childhood was spent at Poplar Dell and I have family that are buried there and many others that still attend. Bless you one and all. Have a great day!!
Thank you Shannon for your words of truth. LEO’s know that all community churchs try to reach folks before or even after the law has to correct the problem. Good luck for 100 more years to the Dell Baptist Church !
Wishing for all at the celebration a grand time! Enjoy the music, preaching, Sheriffs Posse and dinner on the grounds. It’s all good!
@M, It might do you a world of good to be there!
Very cool !
So happy for Poplar Dell Baptist Church ! Preston and I were married there 40 years ago on the 18th of this month.
I think maybe the sheriff’s dept. wants to show their appreciation. The more churches we have reaching people with the gospel, the easier it is for our police officers. My husband is a Pastor and a volunteer chaplain with our local police dept. and we regularly are working with individual people to help them build a relationship with Christ that have criminal records. We have seen some lives completely transformed.
M if you go quitely and do not resist, there wll be no scene. This sounds like a great time, stay in the shade!
I am with Betty “What a mile stone for the community”. Congrats I just wish I was there for the ocassion. Keep the tradition for the next 100 years!
We envited them and it is nice that they are comming. We support our sherlf in bouth states im sure they are doing this off the clock. We will have lunch and good old time music. and some preaching too. Come join us if u dont think the divel wii hold you back!!!!
Our sherlf will be there for supportus.our friend and sherlf ,as some of us live in ala.and are glad to support him.very nice for them to take time out to be there. Mrs Faye Gandy
Thank you all for your positive comments, and we hope to see you there. There is a correction: All events will begin at 10 a.m., and everything will occur before the dinner. This includes the puppet show and the four songs by the Calloways of Jay. Dinner will be around 12:30 p.m. After dinner will include the opening of the cornerstone. Be listening for the Church chimes. We’ll have them going to remind the community about the big event!
Grew up in that church! Will be there!
@ M is it a real great concern as to why the sheriffs dept. is gonna be there? Dont be so negative in life not everything in life is done for a dollar people do have hearts & this is a big deal for the community. Congrats to the Bryneville community for such dedication to their community & i hope they have a wonderful turn out on the 5th. God bless to all!!!!!!
Congratulations to Poplar Dell Baptist Church!
A great milestone for the community.
M, get a life some things are worth a bit to celebrate!
429SCJ, Amen and Amen!
Why is the Sheriff dep. going to be there.Is the church paying them,is it voluntary, is it in the tax payers budget? Just wondering
WOW how wonderful is this!? I just love history, and this will be great I’m sure. What a joy to see all the things that were tucked away 50 years ago in anticipation of the opening day!!!!
I live in Byrneville, and I couldn’t agree more. Byrneville is a wonderful place to live. It’s peaceful, quiet, and tranquil (until my 2 & 3 year old children get upset!).
Byrneville, a little chunk of heaven.