Church History

On Friday, November 27, 1903, the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church building burned to the ground. As the heartbroken members watched the dying embers, they vowed to build again. From the ashes of the fire, two churches arose, one at a new site in West Gadsden.  A friendly agreement was worked out whereby twenty members were given the privilege of rebuilding on the same location; and on January 17, 1904, some fifty of her members met to organize the new church in West Gadsden, later named The Twelfth Street Baptist Church.  (picture above of the first building)

 

By 1938, the new church had grown from the original membership of 50 to the total of 1,175 members. Under the leadership of Rev. W. T. Edwards the present sanctuary building was built and completed at the estimated cost of $90,000 in March 1941. Under the direction of Pastor Hampton Hopkins, a mission was begun and built in the Allis Chalmers area of East Gadsden in 1953, 104 members transferred their membership there. It became an independent church in May 1957 and was named Louis Street Baptist Church.

 

In the fall of 1956, a mission was begun in the Myrtlewood Apartment area. This mission continues there today as the Hopkins Chapel Mission. Dr. Herman Cobb led the church in building an educational building, completed in April 1961. The small chapel in this wing was named in his honor, Herman W. Cobb Chapel. In 1971, led by Dr. Troy L. Morrison, building was begun on an Activities Building including a gymnasium, game room, snack and crafts rooms. This new addition was dedicated in May 1973, and in 1976 it was named in honor of Dr. Morrison. Dr. Richard Trader served as the pastor, serving from 1994 until his retirement in 2007.

 

The church continues to embrace the conviction that knowing Christ and sharing Christ are central to the life of a church. Presently, Dr. Craig Carlisle serves as the twentieth pastor. Bro. Craig grew up in Twelfth Street Baptist Church and was ordained here to the Gospel Ministry in 1987, proving that the past has a significant effect upon the present and future. The past may instruct and enlighten and be the source of wisdom and hope. God is not finished with Twelfth Street Baptist Church yet as God has, again and again, demonstrated His ability to do the best of things for His people, His church.