PUBLISHED Oct. 6, 2016
Alafia Baptist Church celebrates 166 years with homecoming
By Jonie Maschek
Alafia Baptist Church celebrates 166 years. This photo was taken in 2008.
Alafia Baptist Church will celebrate 166 years of worship at their Homecoming Celebration Saturday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. There will be a barbecue and entertainment by the Lumber River Quartet.
On the following day, Sunday, Oct. 16, Mike Lavine will be the guest speaker and there will be a covered-dish meal. Everyone from the surrounding area is invited to both events.
History: In 1850 a group of residents were meeting under a pine-bough arbor, seated on hand-hewn log benches contemplating the formation of a church congregation. The group chose the name Hurrah Church because of their proximity to Hurrah Creek. After months of hewing more benches for newcomers, it was time to construct a building. The first church was a log structure that welcomed visiting pastors who were courageous circuit riders and who came in on horseback.
In 1851, guest minister J.M. Hayman preached a sermon and was paid 50 cents for the day. He was married to Martha Carlton, of the well-known pioneer Florida family. Hayman continued to visit and preach at Hurrah until 1868 for a yearly salary of $12.62. The story is that his horse died during this time, and he received donations from all of the churches he served to buy a new steed. He traveled to Plant City, Lakeland, Alafia and other surrounding communities.
Following Hayman was Pastor Ed Townsend, who was the first full-time pastor. The church is now pastored by Dr. Waylon Carlisle.
The first Sunday school class was organized in 1882 and was called Sabbath Day School.
In the early years of the church, Hurrah Creek would overflow and flood the worship area. This prompted the purchase of the 13-acre area that the church still owns today.
The name of the church was changed from Hurrah to Alafia Baptist somewhere along the way, but many of the old-timers still refer to it as Hurrah.
A new, wooden structure was built in 1968 and was destroyed by a fire in 1972, along with most of the church’s records and archives. One of the buildings was spared,and it is now used as the office. The building being used now was built in 2007.
Join the congregation for worship on Sundays at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesday Prayer Service at 7 p.m.
The church is at 222 Alafia Church Road, Lithia, FL 33537. For more information, call 813-634-8845, or visit their Facebook page.