Beech Tree News Network

“God has blessed us.”  Those same words were spoken several times by many different people on Sunday afternoon at the ribbon cutting for the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.  Pastor Greg Wallace thanked everyone for attending.

“We appreciate all the work that has gone into this building and we hope it is used.  We didn’t build it to sit here,” said Pastor Wallace in his opening comments.

According to Peggy Drake, the ladies of the Clara Lee Missionary Circle started praying and talking about a building. 

“We had $600 and decided when we got $1,000 we would start a building fund.  The very next week we received a $400 check from Michigan and a $300 check from a local man, both from non-church members.  We had over our $1,000 and decided it was time to start; that was April of 2009,” said Drake.  “The circle has been active for 58 years and is still serving the Lord today.”

The congregation of First Baptist broke ground on the fellowship hall in 2014.  Drake’s Contracting of Morgantown was the contractor.

“The project took about 11 months.  They (the church) knew what they wanted and the entire process went well.  It was a pleasure to work with the members of First Baptist Church,” said Donnie Drake.

According to Pastor Greg Wallace, the church had a need for a ground level, handicapped accessible fellowship hall and kitchen. 

“We have members in our church who cannot attend fellowship gatherings because they cannot navigate the steps to the basement,” said Wallace.

The formal building dedication will be held on October 18, 2015.

After the ribbon cutting, refreshments where served by the ladies of the circle.  Mrs. Ruth West was there in spirit as she donated her punch bowl to the ladies of First Baptist Church.  In her honor they served Mrs. West’s famous FHA red punch.  Mrs. West adapted her recipe for an inexpensive red punch that she could use for FHA functions.  Hundreds of people now use and enjoy Mrs. West’s original recipe for Kool-Aid punch.

On display in the fellowship hall:This is the mark of the of the Harker Pottery Company of East Liverpool, Ohio, oldest in the United States.  This is believed to be the first of several Bow & Arrow marks, the company used  (1890-1930) several revisions after 1930, out of business 1972

Thought to be purchased by First Baptist in the 1920s, the plate was donated by Howard and Peggy Drake and the cup and saucer by Alma Phelps Geary in memory of Everett Phelps and Lelia Childres Phelps.