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Posted on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 : 5:30 a.m.

First Baptist Church in Ypsilanti celebrates 175 years of community involvement

By Tom Perkins

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Debbie Buckson, left, smiles as her husband, Mathias, hugs a First Baptist Church member after the Sunday service. The church started celebrating its 175th anniversary on Sunday.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct names in photo captions.

In the span between Ypsilanti incorporating as a village in 1832 and Michigan becoming a state in 1837, the First Baptist Church opened its doors in the fledgling city.

On Sunday, the church kicked off a yearlong celebration of that long history. Pastor Randy Johnson led the usual 9:30 a.m, service, but this time he dressed as if he were delivering a sermon in front of a congregation in 1930.

Many in the congregation dressed up in the Sunday best from throughout the decades to help mark the 175th anniversary of a church that has become a deeply rooted community asset.

Mathias and Debbie Buckson were married at First Baptist in 1991. They were members for several years before that, and Mathias Buckson said he appreciates the older church members who pass down the traditions. Buckson said one of the traditions for which the church is regarded is its high level of community involvement.

“When I’m out in the community I can go into a restaurant somewhere and see people who I worship with, and that is a beautiful thing,” he said.

Chris Riley, a member of the First Baptist Heritage Team, said the church had a strong congregation from the outset. She said members have always believed in serving the community, which is one of the reasons for First Baptist’s longevity.

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Pastor Randy Johnson shakes hands with Art and Barb Dykman after Sunday's service.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

“Working in the community is a major part of our history,” she said. “We are very community based.”

Ypsilanti’s Meals on Wheels is housed at First Baptist and the church is involved with the CROP hunger walk, mission work, the Alpha House family shelter, Social Concern Fund, Focus: Hope and much more.

That kind of community involvement attracted Linda Mealing to First Baptist in 2006. She said the church immediately felt warm and caring, and she liked that the members were serving in the community.

She said Johnson had touched on the importance of serving outside of the church at Sunday morning's service, and she called it a privilege to serve the community and glorify God that way.

“Our Christian lives are supposed to not only be lived within the four walls of the church, but out in the world, too,” she said. “It’s all a package, and it should be tied together in that way.”

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David Thayer and Chris Riley greet two of the church's African immigrants after Sunday's service.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

Riley also highlighted the church’s diversity. Because of its proximity to Eastern Michigan University, students and professors are among its membership. Immigrants from countries like Russia, Korea and several African nations also worship at First Baptist. Some of the congregation is young, while others have attended the church for many years.

Carol Sutter has worshipped at First Baptist for 71 years. She said she has stayed with the church because she feels comfortable there and appreciates how involved its members are in the community.

Sutter also likes that the church is open and diverse.

“We have an open acceptance of all people,” she said. "We have open communion, so everyone can participate in it.”

Sunday was the first of many events scheduled throughout the next year to mark First Baptist’s 175th anniversary. Members presented a plaque bearing the names of the 26 pastors who have been a part of church throughout its history, and a doll collection with dolls from throughout the decades was set up on Sunday.

The first panel of a timeline displaying the history of the church, starting in 1836, was also unveiled.

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Peg Shannon passes out cookies to Barb Dykman and other church members following Sunday's service.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

Christmas always brings First Baptist’s “Living Nativity”, and this year the church will have a real camel for the event. Additionally, the Church will set up 10 Christmas trees instead of the usual three for the Meals on Wheels Holiday Homes Tour. Church members will provide tours of the building with an oral history of the church. Part of it will include items salvaged from a fire that burned down the church in 1936.

Next year will see a number of events including Choir Month in February, women's ministries in May and men's ministries in August. A float will be built for next summer's Heritage Festival and the second Sunday of every month will spotlight a section of the church.

For more information on the church or any of its events, contact First Baptist Church at (734) 482-7380.

Comments

A2RN

Thu, Oct 14, 2010 : 11:32 a.m.

A couple of the picture captions have the wrong names. In the second picture from the top, it is Art Dykman & Linda Marshall with Pastor Randy Johnson. (Barb Dykman is standing behind Linda Marshall). The fourth picture has Peg Shannon on the left and Linda Marshall on the right. Otherwise, a very nicely written article! FBCY has a rich heritage to share with the community!