A CHURCH HISTORY OF
FIRST BAPTIST, SILVERHILL
1899 - 1949

         The First Baptist Church of Silverhill, Alabama was organized November 5, 1899. The secretary's report stated that the meeting was called to order by Rev. E. Wingren, with Charles J. Olander acting as secretary. Brother J. A. Edfelt offered a prayer, and Acts 2: 22-47 was read. There were twelve members at this meeting, eight bringing letters from their previous churches and four awaiting theirs:

         The Church acknowledged the Swedish Baptist Faith and Confession as their rule, supported by the Bible.

         Rev. E. Wingren explained their duties and responsibilities to the Church and to each other, so that they would be favored by the Lord and receive His blessings. They joined hands and formed a circle. Rev. Wingren prayed to God and asked for His blessings on this new organization. Rev. Wingren conducted the first Lord's Supper. The meeting was closed by singing God's praise, and prayer by Rev. Wingren.

         The meetings were held in the Olander home, which also served as a hotel for newcomers.

         The Sunday School was organized December 3, 1899, with five children and three adults present. Mr. J. A. Edfelt, Secretary.

         By January 1900 the membership had increased to 16. A Mr. Westerlund had started a Sunday School in 1898, which met in the Oscar Johnson home. Mr. Westerlund became ill, and we were requested to take over his Sunday School. Mr. Westerlund died in August 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Westerlund and daughter, Louise, came to Silverhill in 1898. (Louise is better known to us as Mrs. George Lundberg.)

         Our Sunday School was now meeting in Oscar Johnson's real estate office building, which was also used as the first school house in Silverhill. At present this building houses the Silverhill Library.

         During 1900 the Sunday School membership increased to 33:

         The Sunday School met every Sunday during 1900, highest attendance being 33, lowest 4 -- it rained that day. The largest Sunday School offering was $.68 and the lowest $.04; total for the year was $10.11. There were special programs for Easter and Christmas, and a Sunday School picnic on July 11.

         The Church had no pastor during 1900. Mr. Edfelt was elected Chairman; Mr. C. J. Johnson, Assistant Chairman; Mr. C. J. Olander, Treasurer; Mr. Carl Ostrom, Secretary. The deacons were C. J. Johnson and J. A. Edfelt. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johnson from Wisconsin joined by letter.

         Our first Pastor was Rev. A. P. Sword, who came to us from Jersey City, New Jersey, April 17, 1901. He served as Pastor and Chairman to the Church until March 25, 1902, when he passed away.

         At a business meeting in June 1901 the Church voted to build a sanctuary. Mr. J. A. Edfelt had been elected Secretary and served faithfully for many years. The Church voted to write letters to other churches to ask for contributions to the building fund. Contributions from churches and individuals were as follows:

         Members added: Mr. Charles Forsberg and Maria Forsberg, from Moline, Illinois, November 26, 1901; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Newport, Omaha, Nebraska.

         New members in 1902: August Nelson, Mrs. Hanna Nelson, Gustaf Peterson, Mrs. Sofia Peterson, Miss Elin Elisabeth Peterson, by letter from Manistee, Michigan in April 1902; Mr. P. J. Anderson by letter from Oakland, Nebraska, December 1902.

         After the death of Pastor Sword, Mr. August Nelson was elected Chairman of the Church. During 1902 our good neighbor, the Swedish Mission Church, built a sanctuary. Many services were held jointly with them, as it was customary for the churches in Silverhill to worship together very often.

         In 1903 Mr. C. A. Johnson was elected Chairman of the Church; J. A. Edfelt Secretary and Sunday School Superintendent.

Published November 17, 1974 to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the church.
The first 50 years translated and written by Robert "Bob" Linden