Dreams Beyond a Steeple
For 68 years, the steeple at the corner of Whitesburg Drive and Marsheutz Avenue has pierced the sky, adorning the top of the building where the Lord’s people would come to gather each week for worship from its first Sunday forward.
It was no doubt an incredible day in 1957 when the believers at Southside Baptist Church witnessed the completion of the new $150,000 sanctuary, after only 7 years of being established as a church.
It’s humbling to think that 75 years ago, there were people praying that their fledgling church body, meeting in a tent, would reach the community around them. They were praying to build a building where people would be welcomed into the family of God; praying that their efforts would impact generations for eternity.
Generations later, we get to look around, realizing that we can only see a portion of the abundant fruit the Lord poured out through their efforts. Within Huntsville, we often meet people who were discipled by someone at Southside Baptist, were baptized or married there, grew in their faith, or came to faith in Christ because of this church body.
An Incredible Connection
We don’t have to look far for Southside stories that impacted Rivertree before Rivertree was even born.
Late in his ministry, Pastor Othar Smith’s wife Virginia became a close to a friend to a woman named Sarah. This friendship grew especially close when Othar went home to be with the Lord; and when Sarah’s son entered seminary, Virginia was happy to pass down her husband’s ministry journals.
Ross Jaeger reflects fondly on those journals and what he learned from the wisdom of Southside’s pastor Smith. He had no idea at the time that he would be pastoring in the same place all these years later.
The many changes that have taken place at Southside over the years have included the partnership with and adoption into the family of Rivertree Church. There are many things that can and do change. The buildings, the people, the ministry events: these things come and go, but the heart and mission to share the gospel and the faithfulness of our God are things that last.
The Backdrop is Changing, THe Heart Stays the Same
The steeple has reached to the sky for a long time. It has been the backdrop for many lives and many drives down Whitesburg. As the steeple has deteriorated, many options have been considered. Its temporary restoration has proven too costly. It sits now in the space of the future worship center, where the building will look different, but the heart and mission will be the same.
The building will be ready to welcome others in, and we’ll be helping one another know Jesus by sharing the gospel and our lives.
The steeple removal is set to begin Monday, October 6. Feel free to come by beforehand and take any photos, reminisce, and pray for our church as we make room in our hearts, our lives, and our buildings to help one another know Jesus by sharing the gospel and our lives.