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 church located near Union Springs, Alabama. It is a special building because it shows a beautiful style of architecture from a long time ago. This church has a rich history, serving its community for many years.
Contents
The Church's Early Days
Sardis Baptist Church was started on June 10, 1837. The first people who formed the church came from a place called Edgefield District in South Carolina.
Building the First Church
In 1841, the church built its very first home. It was a simple log cabin. This land was given to the church by John M. Dozier and his wife, Amy Youngblood Dozier. They gave about four and a half acres for the church building and a cemetery.
The Current Church Building
The church building you see today was built in 1850. It is a wonderful example of a country church from before the American Civil War. It was built in the Greek Revival style, which was popular at the time. This style often uses features like columns, similar to ancient Greek temples.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church building has not changed much since it was built. It has four large columns that hold up the roof. There are two main doors, each with double panels and simple trim. On each side of the building, there are four tall windows with shutters. These windows have 18 small glass panes each.
Changes Over Time
The church was very active for many years. However, it became inactive in the 1950s. This means it was no longer holding regular services.
Renovations and Repairs
Even though it became inactive, the building has been cared for. It was repaired and updated two times. The first time was in 1940 and 1941. It was repaired again in 1992 and 1993. These repairs helped keep the historic building in good condition.
The Church Cemetery
Next to the church is a cemetery. The oldest tombstone there belongs to Moses E. Martin, who passed away on May 18, 1848.
Cemetery Expansion
In its early years, a part of the cemetery was used by the African-American community. As more space was needed, William Andrew Martin and his wife, Nancy Strom Martin, helped out. They owned the land next to the church. In 1860, they allowed the church to make the cemetery bigger by extending it onto their property.
Other Community Buildings
The church property was also home to other important community places.
Sardis School
There was a community school called Sardis School. It was located across the highway from the church. Newspaper articles show that the school was open in 1861 and 1870. Later, the old school building was moved. It became the living room of the Livingston Paulk home, where it still is today.
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 area around the church was a center for the community.
Historic Recognition
Sardis Baptist Church is recognized as an important historic site.
Listed on Historic Registers
The church was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on December 19, 1991. This register lists important places in Alabama. Later, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 29, 2001. The National Register is a list of places across the United States that are important to history.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Bautista de Sardis para niños
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Alabama
- Historical Marker Database for Sardis Baptist Church
