Kevin Kerr
DUNCAN — As many people stood in celebration of their favorite NFL teams on Sunday, a group of people in Duncan were standing in celebration of something a century in the making, as Antioch Baptist Church celebrated their 100th anniversary as a church.
With a lot of love, care and faith, Phyllis Alexander, Antioch member, organized the centennial celebration that consisted of a black and white banquet Saturday night, and morning and afternoon services dedicated to the church’s centurion celebration.
“We only planned for around 70 to 100 people at the banquet, but there were well over 100 people there,” Alexander said. “It was a great turnout.”
During the banquet Saturday night, awards were given to members of Antioch for people dedicated to the church over a long period of time. Also, for students who not only balanced a busy college life and job, but also remained dedicated to the church, and to people who have overcome many life obstacles through their faith and continue to spread that faith to others. A Pastoral Leadership award was given to Reverend Ronald Boyd for his past 22 years of work at Antioch, and a leadership award was given to Alexander.
“I don’t necessarily like getting things like that,” Alexander said. “I just like staying in the background, but it was nice.”
Alexander said that her expectations had been far exceeded by the turnout and the reception of the people for the celebration events, which included several people who are descendants of the original founders or former pastors, including Reverend Torrey J. Montgomery, who gave the anniversary sermon during Sunday’s afternoon service and is the great-grandson of one of the founding members of Antioch.
Many of the extended families in Antioch have led a long life in faith with the church, to which many former pastor’s children and grandchildren have entered the ministry and preach at their own churches around the country. But Alexander said that many of them came back this past weekend to help celebrate and participate by giving some of the messages and sermons during the celebration events.
Antioch also invited other church’s congregations to come and celebrate with them, to which Alexander admitted made quite a full house.
Well over 100 people attended the afternoon service on Sunday, and when asked how long the service might last, Alexander wasn’t sure.
“It depends on the amount of spirit in there,” Alexander said with a laugh. “We could be at this for a while if the spirit is high.”
And high it was, as choir members led the congregation in songs celebrating the Lord and the good things he has done to bless their church.
After the service, a reception was held at Antioch with punch and a special 100th anniversary cake that originally, Antioch pastor Ronald Boyd wanted 100 candles on.
“I told him that might be a bit of a fire hazard,” Alexander said laughing, “So we settled with a big ‘100’ on the cake.”
They also debuted a legacy wall, which has several influential members and former pastors, and will also feature a commendation from the Governor.
The church is offering special centennial plates and souvenir books that Alexander said sold pretty well after people got to see them.
“If they bought at least a half-page ad in our books, then they got the plate for free,” Alexander said. “But once everyone else saw them they were real excited to get one too.”
The plates and books are still available. Contact Phyllis Alexander, or anyone at Antioch Baptist Church for information on receiving any of these items.
Alexander said that the atmosphere for the weekend was “high celebration,” and that everyone was really excited to be there for their church’s accomplishment.
“We had a lady that was celebrating her 40th anniversary at her church in Texas,” Alexander said. “But she decided to come up for this saying that this was much more important.”
