FBNN report, Sunday, September 30, 2007

Camera center.
Newscaster: Good Morning, this is FBNN (First Baptist News Network) reporting from the First Baptist Church in the city of Williamsburg, KY.

Before 1907 this church was named the Williamsburg Baptist Church. This church was organized on September 19, 1883. Today is the second Sunday of the 125th year of the life of this church. During the August 2007 church business meeting a committee was appointed to direct the church in celebrating its 125th anniversary. FBNN (First Baptist News Network) reporters have found in the church archives [that is, church records, Chester Young's 1983 centennial history book, To Win the Prize, "I Remember When …" 2005 booklet of the Upward Bound Program, and the FBCW website] interviews with eye witnesses of major events in the history of the church.

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Let us hear some of these interviews. We now switch to our roving reporter, Bill Conn.

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REPORTER: Today is Sunday, January 6, 1924. Shortly before midnight last night a fire was discovered by the janitor's wife in the classroom area of the red-brick building of the First Baptist Church, Williamsburg, KY.

(Camera changes to photo of building).

The citizens of Williamsburg have labored hard to save the church building and other structures nearby. People here at the scene of the fire have reported that the weather was near zero degrees. The city water system was shut down for needed repairs. Thus, a water bucket brigade was formed to bring water from nearby wells to save the surrounding buildings. The church building was a total lost.

Today we have interviews with some of the children who live near the church building and were eyewitnesses of the fire last night .

First, I have found this young lady. Nancy, please identify yourself for our audience.

NANCY: My name is Nancy Richardson. I am seven years old. In a few days I will be eight. I am a member of the Junior Department of Sunday School at First Baptist Church. My parents and grandparents have been members of the church for many years. I have been attending the church services as long as I can remember.

REPORTER: Nancy, where were you when the fire occurred?

NANCY: I live two blocks away in a two story house on Main Street. Last night I was awakened from sleep by all the noise. I stood on the second floor back porch and watched the church burn. The weather was very cold.

REPORTER: Now we will hear from a young lady who lives in a house closer to the fire. Elizabeth, please identify yourself for our audience.

ELIZABETH: I am Elizabeth West. I am eight years old. I am a member of the Junior Department of Sunday School at First Baptist Church. Four years ago my family and I moved to Williamsburg from Bon Jellico Coal Camp. We attend First Baptist Church.

REPORTER: Elizabeth, where were you last night when the fire started?

ELIZABETH: I live one block from the church building in a two story house on South Seventh Street. There are five children in our family. This week all five of us have been sick with the mumps. Last night I was sick in bed, and I heard noises outside. I looked out my bedroom window. I stayed in bed and watched the building burn. This made me even sicker. Many people were working hard trying to put the fire out. I cannot forget the flames as they leaped into the air.

REPORTER: There are many people here at the scene of the fire looking at the burned building. We have also found a young boy who lives nearby. Would you please identify yourself for our audience.

ROGER: I am Roger Stephens. I am eight years old, and in a few days I will be nine. I have attended Sunday School and church at First Baptist Church for as long as I can remember.

REPORTER: Roger, what can you tell us about this fire?

ROGER: Not much. I did not see the fire last night. I live only a block away, but my family let me sleep through the fire, and this morning my brothers laughed at me as I went about getting ready for Sunday School. The smoldering ruins look horrible.

(remove sign "DEVELOPING NEWS" and change date on signage)

NEWSCASTER: Today is Sunday, September 30, 2007. [There is an interesting historical footnote to this story. These three children attended Cumberland College Elementary School or Williamsburg City School. Two and one half years after the fire destroyed the building of First Baptist Church, these three young people and the people of Williamsburg were witnesses of a fire which destroyed the Williamsburg City School building.] We wish to honor three church members who have been members of this church over 80 years each.

Nancy Richardson lived in a large house on the Main Street lot, that is, Mike's Barber Shop (formerly Lester's Barber Shop). She continues to live in a trailer on that same lot. For two years following the fire the church met in the "Ye Old Gray Brick Building," that is, Bennett Building on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands. Later while the current church building was being constructed, she made her profession of faith at a tent revival and was baptized on July 27, 1924, in a neighborhood pond. Nancy Richardson Caudill has been a member of First Baptist Church over 83 years. This is possibly longer than any other member in the history of this church. Mrs. Caudill's part in today's news release has been played by Kendall Pennington, her great-granddaughter of Independence, KY. Mrs. Caudill, will you please stand.

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Roger Stephens continues to live in the same house that he lived in when he was a small boy. He was one of the first to be baptized in the new baptistery. This building was dedicated on February 24-28, 1926. He was baptized on March 8, 1926. Roger Stephens has been a member of First Baptist Church over 81 years. Roger's part in today's news release has been played by Hunter Williams, the son of David and Kim Williams of Williamsburg, KY. Mr. Stephens, will you please stand.

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Later that same month Elizabeth West was baptized on March 17, 1926. Elizabeth West Sutton has been a member of First Baptist Church over 81 years. Mrs. Sutton's part in today's news release has been played by Rachael Rains, the daughter of Debbie and Tom Rains of Williamsburg, KY. Mrs. Sutton, will you please stand.

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In addition, there are at least nine persons who have been members for 70 years or more. This list includes J. B. Gatliff, Jr., Charles E. Buhl, Sr., and Clarence 'Mutt' Siler. There are six current members who joined this church during the 1930's. Would each of these six members please stand as your name is called: two sisters, Gladys Taylor Bordes and Neva Taylor Partin; two sisters, Maxine Maiden Sanders, Nadine Maiden Siler; Marcella Faulkner Mountjoy, and Edgar Croley.

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NEWSCASTER: The current Sunday School Director of First Baptist Church would like to make some special presentations at this time.

SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR: In searching the church records there have been very few who have been Sunday School members for eighty years or longer. The search of the records at this point in time reveals only three. At this time we are not sure of others. We wish to honor you three for eighty or more years.

Elizabeth West Sutton, when your family moved to Williamsburg in 1920, you became a part of Sunday School at First Baptist Church. You have been a member over 87 years. Please accept this Certificate of Recognition from all of us.
Nancy Richardson Caudill, your family had been leaders in the church before you were born. They brought you to the church nursery at a very early age. You have been a member of Sunday School at First Baptist Church over 91 years. Please accept this Certificate of Recognition from all of us.

Roger Stephens, likewise members of your family had been leaders in the church before you were born. They brought you to the church nursery at a very early age. You have been a member of Sunday School at First Baptist Church over 92 years. Please accept this Certificate of Recognition from all of us.

NEWSCASTER: Ninety years and counting. HOW MANY YEARS WILL YOU ACHIEVE? From time to time the FBNN (First Baptist News Network) will be bringing you glimpses of the last 125 years.

SIGN OFF.

The 125th Anniversary Committee is interested in any corrections to the news releases and additional information or stories. If you have corrections or additions, please contact George Ramey (email: gramey@ucumberlands.edu) or the church office (phone: (606) 549-0280, email: fbcwoffice@bellsouth.net).