Union Grove First Baptist Church

Union Grove First Baptist Church
Union Grove, Alabama  35175

This week we are having Revival in my home church.  I was raised in this church.  I was saved in this church one night during another hot summer Revival years ago.  And from the choir loft, singing the old time hymns, I look out at my friends and neighbors and remember...

Granny used to sit in the section to my right.  She generally sat on about the third row, close to the outside wall.  I have her Bible now and her notes, penned all around the margins, help teach me still.

Merle and Louise Wilson used to sit on about the third row in the section to my left, next to the aisle.  Merle and Louise's son, Dean, married preacher P. E. Maples' daughter, Betty.  And Betty led the choir for years.  I remember many Easter services when she would sing, "The King is Coming."   

Farther back on the left, next to the outside wall, sat Albert and Loles Waldrop.  Mr. Waldrop was called upon to pray most services and we kids used to count how many times he would say, "Dear Heavenly Faaaaaaaather."  I wish I could hear him pray again.

Ann Stewart was Keith and Cindy's mother.  We kids thought she was overly strict back then, but I can tell you now that most of what I learned about the Bible came from her Sunday School classes.

My grandmother's Bible

David Smith was a tall, quiet man who sat on the left side, behind the Waldrop's.  He generally didn't have much to say, but very rarely did he miss a service.

Miss Camilla (Hughes) was our pianist.  She, Miss Louise (Wilson) and Miss Cleo (Couch) made up The Hughettes.  They were prim, proper ladies who held their handbags while they sang the Sunday morning special music.  It became a tradition for The Hughettes to sing, "Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" during the Christmas season.

Many of the fine, Christian folks from our church family have passed away:  Polly Stanley; Jack and Mable Porch; Wanda Smith; Susan Willis; Nelson and Marjorie Williams; Gardner DeArmond; Clarence and Mary Ann Davis; Luther Gibbs; Lola King.  But these folks and many others are not forgotten.  They all helped to shape and mold many of us that carry on the church business today.  And sitting from the choir loft, peering out over the congregation, I can almost see them, sitting in their designated pews. 

We miss them.  And love them still.