Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church will be celebrating 125 years of ministry in the heart of Meridian at a special service at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The special guest speaker for the celebration will be Dr. Jim Futral, executive director/treasurer for the Mississippi Baptist Convention. 

Mississippi Rep. Greg Snowden will present a proclamation from the House of Representatives to the church during the service.

Special music will be led by former Minister of Music Director Rev. Ken Patterson with special musical numbers throughout the service.

A fellowship meal will be held immediately following the service.

Church history  

Fifteenth Avenue got its start in 1890 as a mission-minded church, with 19 charter members, for the purpose of ministering to the people on the “east end of town.” Before there was ever a building, the congregation met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Williams on 14th Street. The Rev. William Joshua David, a former missionary who was born and raised in Meridian, was chosen to be the first acting pastor of the congregation.

Once the church outgrew the Williams’ home, the congregation relocated to a one room frame building on Fifteenth Avenue, where it remained until 1908. In 1921, the church finished construction of a new building that housed all activities of the church until they added a new, three story education wing in 1955.

By the latter part of 1961, all debt for the previous building had been paid in full and the church began work on plans for a new worship center. On Saturday, March 9, 1963, The Meridian Star ran a full page ad congratulating Fifteenth Avenue Baptist on completion of the brand new sanctuary and their dedication that followed the next day.

After a period of sustained growth, the church experienced decreasing numbers. A group of church growth specialists advised the church that it would benefit them if they contemplated relocating the congregation. However, the church felt they had deep roots established in the downtown area and felt God desired them to stay where they are. This leap of faith proved to be a wise one, as the church managed to reverse the downward trend and experienced growth in recent years.

Many years ago, the church reached a point where it had no more classrooms for Bible study. In 2004 the church body began the process of building a brand new space that today houses a new fellowship hall, a new kitchen, a new nursery suite, and a good deal more classroom space.

Church details

• Location: 1318 15th Avenue

• Church Office:  (601) 485-4113

• Pastor: Dr. Jeff Myers

• Service Times: 

Sunday

Sunday School – 9:30 a.m.

Worship – 10:45 a.m.

Impact Opportunities – See Mission

Children’s Choir – 6 p.m.

IMPACT242 – 6 p.m.

Wednesday

Fellowship Meal – 11:15 a.m.

Adult Prayer Meeting – 12 noon

Fellowship Meal – 5 p.m.

Children’s Activities – 5:45 p.m.

Revolution (Youth) – 5:45 p.m.

Discipleship Groups – 5:45 p.m.

Choir Practice – 7 p.m.