Sardis Baptist Church (Union Springs, Alabama) facts for kids
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Sardis Baptist Church
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Sardis Baptist Church in 2011
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Union Springs, Alabama |
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| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 01001299 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 29, 2001 |
Sardis Baptist Church is a very old and important church located near Union Springs, Alabama. It is known for its beautiful and historic building.
The church was started by settlers from South Carolina on June 10, 1837. Their first building, a simple log cabin, was built in 1841. The land for the church and its cemetery was given by John M. Dozier and his wife, Amy Youngblood Dozier. The church building you see today was built in 1850. It is a great example of a country church from before the American Civil War, built in the Greek Revival style.
Contents
About the Church Building
The church building has not changed much since it was built. It features four large columns that hold up the roof. The two main entrances have double doors with simple trim. On each side of the building, there are four tall windows with shutters. These windows have 18 small glass panes each.
The church was used for many years but became inactive in the 1950s. The building has been repaired and updated a few times, first in 1940-41 and again in 1992–93.
The Church Cemetery
The church has a cemetery where many people from the community are buried. The oldest tombstone in the cemetery belongs to Moses E. Martin, who passed away on May 18, 1848.
Part of the cemetery near the church was used by the African-American community in the early days. As more space was needed, William Andrew Martin and his wife, Nancy Strom Martin, allowed the church to use more of their land for the cemetery. They had bought this land next to the church in 1860.
Community Connections
Sardis Baptist Church was an important center for the community.
Sardis School
A community school, called Sardis School, was once located on the church property. It was across the highway from the church, at the corner of Highway 223 and County Road 22. Old newspaper articles show that the school was open in 1861 and 1870. The old school building was later moved and became part of the living room of the Livingston Paulk home.
Masonic Lodge
In 1867, a group called the Buena Vista Masonic Lodge No. 169 was located just north of the church property. This shows how the church area was a hub for different community activities.
Historic Recognition
Sardis Baptist Church has been recognized as an important historic site. It was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on December 19, 1991. Later, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 29, 2001. These listings help protect the church and its history for future generations.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Bautista de Sardis para niños
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Alabama
- Historical Marker Database
