CHURCH HISTORY
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The congregation presently known as Huntsville Park Baptist Church had its beginning as Merrimack Baptist Church in 1903. It is believed that this building stood on Spring Street (Ivy Street) between Merrimack and West Huntsville on the east side of Pike Street (Triana Boulevard). The first pastor to serve was Rev. C.T. Culpepper.
<See the Pastors that have served.> <See other full-time staff members.>
About 1910, the congregation repaired and enlarged the original chapel and grew steadily. They made various other improvements to the church in following years.
Rev. A.C. Stevenson, who served from 1920-1929, was the first pastor to receive a lifetime call, according to the Alabama Baptist. During his ministry, the church voted to change its name to Bradley Memorial Church.
On July 4, 1946, the congregation voted to change its name to Huntsville Park Baptist Church as it is today.
Rev. G.D. Barrett was called as pastor in 1950 and gave the church strong spiritual leadership as well as organization for seventeen years.
On Sunday afternoon, January 7, 1951, at 5:45 p.m., the church building was totally destroyed by fire. For many years prior to the fire, the people prayed that they could build a beautiful and adequate building for a greatly enlarged work for their Lord. But they never had the faith to begin such a costly task.
On January 8, 1951, the church met for business at Joe Bradley School. the people voted to rebuild, as soon as possible, on a new lot at 189 Park Boulevard. the lot was given to the church, along with $500, by Huntsville Manufacturing Company in April, 1951. Meanwhile, regular services were held at Joe Bradley School until completion of the educational building. The congregation pledged themselves as well as their money to the mammoth task before them. How well they worked was evidenced by the completion of the educational building in three months. The first service was held in the new building June 7, 1951. It was dedicated, free of debt, October 7, 1951. The church property was now valued at $45,000.
The church made plans to begin building the sanctuary in March 1952. Attendance increased until it was soon realized it would be necessary to build the sanctuary larger than originally planned and to have a basement for educational space. Work continued through the summer and the first service was held in the completed sanctuary September 7, 1952. The value of the church property was $200,000.
The church voted to build a house on the old church site, Ivy Street, to be used for the Minister of Music and Education.
Other improvements continued in 1953 and 1954. Baby beds were built in the nursery, two 7 1/2-ton air conditioning units were purchased for the sanctuary, the parking lot around the building was paved, and the two entrances to Alpine Street were paved. At last, the sanctuary was dedicated to the Lord on September 5, 1954.
In 1955, the church built a mission on ridgecrest Road (Drake Ave) at a cost of $11,000. The first service was held September 25, 1955. In December 1955, several members left Huntsville Park and formed the Unity Baptist Church (Hillsboro Heights Baptist Church). The people of Huntsville Park offered this mission to Unity Baptist as a place of worship.
During the next several years, more changes to the facilities occurred. The church purchased additional property to be used for parking. The baptistry in the chapel was torn out and more classroom space added. An annex was built behind the church building.
Bro. Charles Veach was called as Minister of Music and Education in 1958. He served faithfully in this position for almost seventeen years.
In 1959, the building committee recommended to add a second story to the educational building at a cost of $25,000. The church borrowed $18,000 from Henderson National Bank at 6% interest and $500 per month payments. Pianos were also purchased for the new departments.
In the early 1960's, the entire educational building and basement was air conditioned, and a new scene was painted in the baptistry.
In June 1963, the church purchased land and a building at the corner of Winchester Road and Blue Spring Road for use by our North Huntsville Mission at a total cost of $30,200. The North Huntsville Mission was constituted as North Huntsville Baptist Church on July 16, 1967 with a membership of 106. This mission later changed its name to Pine View Baptist Church.
In 1965, a second story floor was added above the chapel and a new church sign purchased. Some other improvements included a steeple for $2,635, remodeling of the library at a cost of $350, and a purchase of 45 choir robes for $9.95 each.
Bro. L.D. Brookshire was pastor from 1967 to 1971. During this time, a new pastorium was purchased at 3210 Riley Road for $30,500. The old pastorium was sold for $9,000.
Bro. William A. Bridges joined the staff as Youth Minister in 1971. In 1972, his title was changed to Minister of Youth and Youth Music. Following the retirement of Bro. Charles Veach in 1975, Bro. Bridges became the Minister of Music and Youth. He was ordained to the gospel ministry by the church in 1985. Bro. Bill was a dedicated servant to the people at Huntsville Park for a total of twenty years.
Rev. Nelson Kuykendall was pastor from 1973 to 1974. In 1973, a new Allen organ was bought for $6,995, and a sound system purchased for the sanctuary. A bus was purchased for $7,400 also in 1973.
In 1975, Bro. Thurman Knight was called as pastor and served for nine years. During his ministry, extensive renovation occurred on the facilities. Work on the educational building included interior painting, bricking, and steel siding for the second story. The sanctuary was renovated and new pews installed. New Baptist Hymnals were purchased and a 6'3" Baldwin Grand Piano and bench were bought for $5,000.
Rev. Don Pendergrass began his ministry September, 1984. In October, 1986 the church sponsored him on a mission trip to Sau Paulo, Brazil. This was only one of several trips made to Brazil by the pastor and other church members.
In 1987, Huntsville Park was one of five churches to sponsor a new mission in Madison, Alabama. This mission was later constituted as Trinity Baptist Church in March, 1988.
In 1987, a prayer room was built and a prayer ministry began. Other ministries was a Sunday School Ministry at Wessex House Nursing Home and Johnson Towers Retirement Home. During this time two vans were bought to further their ministry.
The pastor appointed a study committee in 1988 to study the needs of the church and the facilities. The church voted to relocated its ministry; however, after much prayer and seeking a location within five miles of the present facility, the decision was deferred. Meanwhile, various improvements continued to be made. A new sign was purchased for $5,000, a new roof was put on the sanctuary at a cost of $12,995, a new computer was installed, the annex was removed to make space for more parking, and additional land was acquired adjoining the present parking lot.
In 1989, the church sold the pastorium, located at 3210 Riley Road, to the pastor.
In 1991, the church re-evaluated its ministers and decided to call a full time Minister of Education and Youth and part-time Music Director. These positions were filled by Rev. Larry Inman and Russell Hastings, respectively.
In 1992, the pastor appointed a remodeling committee. Those appointed to serve were H.D. Foote, Bill Hastings, Nelson Olinger, and Bob Tyree. In February, 1993, the committee signed an agreement with the Myler Church Building Systems for complete renovation of the sanctuary, basement, and ground floor of the educational building. The church approved these plans on June 20, 1993 and pledged money toward this project. The total amount borrowed from Colonial Bank was $700,000.
The renovation began with the demolition of the basement. What an exciting time for Huntsville Park! A large kitchen and fellowship hall was constructed in what was previously the basement.
The next phase of the renovation was the sanctuary. The first service held in the chapel due to remodeling was Wednesday, January 12, 1994. Members were faithful to attend services even though seating was tight.
In the sanctuary, beautiful stained glass windows were installed depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. A new baptistry, choir loft, and pulpit area were built also. What a beautiful place in which to praise and worship the Lord! The first service held in the renovated sanctuary was Sunday, June 19, 1994.
The outside of the building has also undergone change. The brick was painted gray, the steel siding painted, a new porch to the sanctuary was constructed and the front of the former chapel area was extended to accommodate the Welcome Center. A new steeple was installed and covered canopy was placed in the back of the building.
The last phase of the renovation was the ground floor of the educational building. These changes included an enlarged office area, new classrooms, new restrooms, new stairs, a new library, and a new choir robe room. The value of the church property upon completion of the remodeling was $1.3 million.
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Bro. Larry Inman left Huntsville Park in 1995 to answer the call of pastor at another church.
Bro. Don Pendergrass left Huntsville Park in February of 1998 after 14 years of faithful service.
Bro. Eric Mattox functioned as interim Pastor from April of 1998 to December 1998.
Bro. Mike Carroll was called and unanimously elected to serve as Pastor of Huntsville Park Baptist Church in December 1998.
In 1999, Huntsville Park Baptist Church sponsored a Hispanic Mission by sharing the use of the church facilities.
Bro. Eddie Massengill served as Associate Pastor of Students and Education from September 1999 to 2001.
Bro. Don Cooper served as Interim Preacher between 2002-2003 after Bro. Mike Carroll resigned as pastor.
Bro. Mylon Metcalf was called as Pastor of Huntsville Park Baptist Church in 2003.
Bro. Paul Whitfield served as Minister of Youth between 2004-2005.
Bro. Eddie Pack served as Youth Director for part of 2005.
Bro. Ken Turberville served as Associate Pastor and Minister of Education between 2006-2009.
This history was compiled from minutes available at Huntsville Park Baptist Church. It is our desire that the information be as accurate as possible. We apologize for any errors or inconsistencies that may have occurred.
Designed and Maintained By Darrell Cain