Versailles Baptist Church to celebrate 175 years
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Members of the Versailles Baptist Church will celebrate the 175th anniversary of the organization of the church during the weekend of October 9 and 10, according to Pastor Mark Walker.

The celebration committee has planned for several special events starting with a social time at Ohio Rod Park on Saturday, October 9, at 3:00 p.m.

Following planned activities, the church family will enjoy a hog roast and then evening services with the Rev. Bob Brown, former minister, speaking. Brown served the church from 1970-1974, along with his wife Bonnie.

Also featured at the Saturday night program will be music by "Safe in the Harbor."

At the Sunday morning worship service, former pastor Richard Burcham will be the guest minister. He served the church from May 1976 through November 1981 with his wife Linda. Their son Rick Burcham continues to be an active member.

Also returning for the anniversary celebration is the Rev. Kurt Stutler, who will be bringing special music at the morning service. Stutler is pastor of Toxaway Methodist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, and also serves as Neighborhood Development Coordinator for Partners for a Healthy Community.

Recently the Rev. Stutler was honored as Anderson's "Man of Vision," presented a key to the city by Mayor Richard Shirley, and honored by having Sunday, August 29, proclaimed as "Kurt Stutler Day" in Anderson.

Stutler, who is the son of Herman and Patty Stutler and the grandson of Elizabeth Raney, grew up in Versailles, graduated from South Ripley High School, Hanover College, and
Southern Seminary in Louisville.

He and his wife Jean Barnes Stutler are the parents of two sons and have one granddaughter.

Sunday morning's worship service will include special music by the Adult Choir, the Good News (Children's) Choir, and Mrs. Nancy Durham, soloist.

After a noon meal, the celebration will continue with a power-point presentation by Steve Antras, music by the choirs, the American Baptist Youth, and Mrs. Kris Lafary, soloist.

The First Baptist Church was organized in Versailles on the third Saturday in January 1829. With only 11 members, services were held in homes until May 1932, when they met in the schoolhouse until their new "meeting house" was completed in February 1838.

According to historical records, the first church building was located at the southeast corner of Adams and First streets. "The church enjoyed steady growth and in 1845 had a total membership of 183. The first Sunday School was organized in 1845."

The charter members of the church in 1829 were: Thomas and Sarah Laswell, Jesse and Sarah Miles, Emeline Miles, Ann Craig, Moses and Sarah Purcell, John and Sarah Boswell, and Nancy Wooley.