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First Baptist Church of Kenova to celebrate 100 years
KENOVA — First Baptist Church of Kenova celebrates its 100th anniversary this weekend and has a series of special events planned Saturday and Sunday, including a visit from Kenova native Michael W. Smith, who will be a guest speaker on Sunday.
Celebrations begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, with a free cookout for local teens, said the Rev. Steve Willis, pastor at the church. Jason Lovins Band will perform at the cookout.
“At 7 p.m. we go inside, and we’ll have an evening service with special music and a special message,” Willis said. The Rev. Stan Franklin, former pastor at First Baptist Church, will preach at that service.
Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 7, with participation by renowned Christian singer Michael W. Smith.
“When Michael W. Smith comes back here, he’s just Mike Smith,” Willis said. He has sold millions of albums, won Grammys and Dove Awards, “But when he comes back here, everyone just remembers the kid who would hide beneath the pews,” Willis said. “It’s a big deal because he’s so gifted, but for the people in our congregation, he’s just a friend.”
And it’s great that he’s coming back to celebrate such a momentous day for the church, said Willis, who has pastored First Baptist for the past few years.
First Baptist Church of Kenova has a lot to celebrate, Willis said.
“It’s a historic occasion not only for our church but the city of Kenova,” he said. “God has blessed us to have hundreds of people who have come out of our church and had a great impact on the world.
“Our church is as healthy now as it’s probably ever been. There are a lot of churches 100 years old, but they’re not healthy. That’s what we thank God for: He’s brought health to our church body.”
First Baptist Church has a little more than 500 active members and a little more than 1,000 on the rolls, Willis said.
According to church history, it was founded in September 1908, when a group of 13 people met on the corner of 15th and Pine streets. The group met in different locations over the next five years and started constructing its own church building in 1913 at the corner of 12th and Poplar streets, where it stands today. It seated 150 at the time, and the large stained-glass window that adorned its west wall is still in the chapel today.
Less than 10 years later, it had a contract to build a church that seated 800, and its been providing opportunities for the community to worship and serve others in a variety of ways ever since. Its children’s ministry remains strong, and its Garage Youth Ministry is “one of the most well-known youth ministries in the state,” Willis said. It’s led today by Josh Sowards.
“Our music ministry is revitalizing under Ray Stephens, Willis said.
In fact, “ Everything at our church is just going really well right now,” he said. “I feel really blessed.”
