What is known is the First Baptist Church, Florala, was organized in
1862,
over in Florida near the forks of the creek, where Clear Springs School
house now stands. The organization was effected by Bro. G.W. Kierce,
the
first pastor, who now lives at Andalusia. Bro. Kierce was then
missionary
for this Association, and served the church once a month for several
years.
About 1864 the place of worship was moved to a round-pole school house
near
where the Iris Theatre now stands. In this school house our fellow
townsman,
Mr. J. E. Hughes, lived the first year of his marriage.
In 1869 Rev. Wilson Kierce, father of Rev. G.W. Kierce, came here with
wagon
and oxen, and together with Brother J.E. Hughes, D.C. Allen and others
of
the community, cut and hauled logs and erected a log building on the
present
site. Rev. Kierce requested that he be buried under the shade of the
trees
by the church, and there his body rests today.
The following men have served as pastors, the approximate time being
opposite the name of each: Rev. GW Kierce several years; Revs. F.L.
Lloyd
and J.B. Lassiter, each of whom supplied some years; Rev. Wilson Kierce
began pastorate in 1870 and served several years; Rev. P.D. Bulger
taught
school and pastored the church several years. Bro. Bulger was succeeded
by
Rev. Mitchell, who served two or three years; Rev. EA Holley, time not
known; Rev. Wiley F Martin, several years; Rev. W.F. Faulkner, one
year;
Rev. J.F. Gable, two years, Rev. S.H. Bennett, two years; Rev. B.S.
Railey,
five years; Rev. E.M. Steward, three months; Dr. J.S. Edmonds, eighteen
months; Rev. J.F. Vandiver, three years; Rev. D.R. Parker, eighteen
months,
Rev. T.V. Shoemaker, the present pastor, one year.
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