Church History
Macedonia Baptist Church is located on highway 248, Rucker Blvd., about one mile inside the Dale County Line. The church had its beginning in 1900 when P. L. Moseley preached in a bush-arbor in the community. The first building was erected in 1902. It provided a place of worship for the small membership of the Macedonia Baptist Church congregation. The one-room wooden structure was lit by oil lamps and of course had no plumbing. Electric lights were installed in 1940. Moseley was the first pastor, but the details of the organization are not available, as some of the church records have been lost.
The church was a member of the Dale County Association from its beginning until 1908 when it became a charter member of the new Coffee County Association. In 1910, the church returned to the Dale County Association and remained until 1969, when it again became a member of the Coffee County Association.
Some of the early pastors were Hamp Gunter, Jason J. Fain, F. B. Byrd, Will G. DeShazo, J. T. Goare, and Walter G. Dean. The next pastor was B. J. Marshall, 1934-1935. J. E. Plant became pastor in 1936 and served through 1938. Plant was followed by W. G. DeShazo for his second term as pastor. The next pastor was Hue Ziglar, who served from 1941 to 1945.
Hinton Waters was called as pastor in 1946 and served for one year. Doc McCullough served briefly and Gene Todd was called in 1948 and held the position until 1951. The next pastor was Paul Cutchens, who led the church from once a month to twice a month preaching services and served until 1955. Todd then came for his second term as pastor for about two years. Cullen Andrews was the next pastor and served for about nine years. In 1962-63, during Andrew’s pastorate, a brick church was constructed to replace the wooden structure. That building is now used as a fellowship hall, Sunday school room, and office space.
Jim Strength served as pastor from 1966 until January 1968. The church had a great increase in membership as eighty-two members were received on profession of faith and by letter. Macedonia ranked among the sixty highest churches in Alabama in baptisms during this time.
On July 1, 1966, the church voted to sell bonds to finance the construction of a new auditorium. A bond drive of $50,000 was launched on February 16, 1967, and the issue was completely sold in a week. The building was completed and dedicated in July of that year.
On July 17, 1968, Athens McNeil, was called as Macedonia’s first full-time pastor. The pastorium was purchased in 1968 and is still used today. In December 1968 the church presented its first “Live Nativity”, which had continued to be an annual event of the church. McNeil resigned as pastor on January 16, 1972.
George H. Jones was called as interim pastor and served until the coming of Lester Garrett as pastor on July 22, 1972. Garrett tendered his resignation that same year. Jones was called as interim pastor again and served until Joel Jackson was called as pastor on June 2, 1974. Jackson remained as pastor until April 30, 1978. After serving at two other churches, Jackson was elected as Director of the Coffee County Association in 1993.
George H. Jones was called as interim pastor for the third time. Leslie Wells was called as pastor in 1979 and served until March of 1980. Jones was called again as interim pastor. He resigned in September 1980.
Bro. A. O. Martz preached until Donnie Holley was called as pastor on November 23, 1980. Prior to calling Holley, the church had entered a building program to construct the rooms that connect the fellowship hall and the auditorium and also the education building that runs beside the auditorium on the west side. In 1984 Holley led the church in the “We Love Our Church” campaign, allowing members to pledge funds for the two-story building. Construction was completed in 1985. In December 1985, the church started the Tender Loving Care Child Development Center that allowed Macedonia the opportunity to provide a quality weekday Christian education program for preschoolers and children. Macedonia won all four Sunday school growth awards at the 1985 Association Meeting. Holley served as pastor until 1986.
After the resignation of Holley, there were several supply preachers. Fletcher Smoak, who refused to accept a salary so the money could be applied to the church debt, served as interim pastor until the church called James “Eke” Brown as pastor in August 1987. Brown also served temporarily as Director of the Day Care. Brown resigned in January 1990. In February 1990, Lanny Shephard was called as the pastor and served until August 1993. During this time he led the church in the “Challenge to Grow” program to raise funds to lower the building debt. The day care closed May 1990. The church called Ken Shoemake as interim pastor in 1993. Shoemake served until Mark Raughton was called as pastor in January 1995.
On September 14, 1997 we completed the church debt because of all the Christian men and women who had served during the history of Macedonia Baptist Church, giving time, talents, tithes and offerings to make possible the facilities we have today.
Mark Raughton served as pastor until February 1998. In March, 1998 Ken Shoemake was again called as interim pastor. During this time plans were made for the paving of the parking lot.
The church called Kerry Saxon as pastor in July, 1999. During this time the paving of the parking lot was completed and a new sound system was installed. He served as pastor until September, 2001.
The church called Ken Shoemake to serve as Interim Pastor again in October, 2001. The new steeple was installed in February, 2002.
Glenn Pippens was called as pastor in May, 2002. He served until his retirement on September 30, 2006.
“Whatever ye do, do all to the Glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31
