The History of Capshaw Baptist Church
See below for to see a drawing of how the Capshaw area looked in 1918.
July 21, 1917- a meeting was held in the Lax School House just west of the village of Lax, Alabama. Those present were seeking to organize a Baptist Church. The vote was passed and the first charter members were George Dupree, Aaron Dupree, P.E. Balch, Anna Dupree, Mamie Dupree, Ophelia Balch, Verna Balch, and Edna Balch. The new church was named Lax Missionary Baptist Church and met in the Lax schoolhouse for 2 months.
August 14, 1917- Construction of first building began and first services held 30 days later.
April 1939- a decision was made to relocate the "village" of Lax, Alabama. Two acres were purchased from Mr. W.E. Balch for the sum of $75.00. The old building was demolished and a new auditorium built. The "village" was renamed Capshaw, therefore the new auditorium was named Capshaw Baptist Church..
March 1949- a decision was made by the church to purchase an existing house and land across the Street from the auditorium from Mr. S.R. Balch for the sum of $3,000.00. The house would be used as a pastorium.
1953- the church voted to move the existing auditorium to the extra lot across the Street and then sell the lot and building. The building committee; Russell Throneberry, Charlie Henderson, Eugene Abernathy, Mrs. Edward Burgreen, and Miss Helen Balch then started a building fund to finance a new auditorium and educational wing. The records only show that "twin buildings were joined together by a hallway and kitchen, one building being the auditorium and the other the educational building."
1966- planning had begun for the construction of a new auditorium. On July 6, 1966 a building committee was elected. They were Chairman; Russell Throneberry, Bill Billingsley, Wayne Henderson, John Carroll, Buford Sanders, Wayne Case, Donald Blackburn, and Charles McGougan.
1968- A new auditorium was built. First services were held November 12.
April 14, 1977- the need for a fellowship hall and kitchen was urgent and the Deacons recommended that it be built between the two educational buildings.
June 4, 1977- the new fellowship hall was completed on and a daycare and kindergarten began in September of that year.
February 23, 1980- the beloved Miss "Helen" Balch Clem went to be with the Lord. She served for many years as Church Clerk and was the backbone of support to her Church. One of the dreams "Helen" had for the church was a larger fellowship -hall, kitchen, baths, music room, church office, and a Pastor's study with a conference room. This dream was made possible with the gift of $34,503.00 that "Helen" had left to the church.
September 2, 1981- the Church Family accepted the plans and voted to go ahead with the building of the Helen Clem Memorial Annex. The building committee elected was Russell Throneberry, Bill Edgemon, Grace Zeigler, Linda Perry, Joe Sanderson, and Wayne Henderson. Work began immediately.
November 22 1981- Building of the Helen Balch Clem Memorial Annex was completed. The annex housed a larger fellowship hall, kitchen, baths, music room, church office, and a pastor's study with conference room. A marble plaque was placed in the outside front wall with the inscription, "Helen Balch Clem Memorial Annex, provided by the grace of God and Helen's Estate to the Capshaw Baptist Church, Dedicated November 22, 1981". Miss Helen, as she was called, was greatly honored by this Church for her years of faithful service, and will forever be honored for her gift to God's church.
October 1991- the present two-story educational building was completed. The land in back of the new and existing buildings was paved for additional parking.
April 2000 - Groundbreaking for new sanctuary and the Family Life Center.
June 2001 - the Family Life Center was completed and was first used for VBS followed by Adult Sunday School.
February 3, 2002- in the Sunday evening service we transitioned from the old sanctuary to the new sanctuary.
February 10, 2002- the first regular service was held in the new sanctuary.
April 7, 2002 Dedication Sunday
For the last 83 plus years, Capshaw Baptist Church has proclaimed and taught the transforming truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hope you will consider visiting our church soon. We think you will quickly sense the warmth of our fellowship and love for the Lord.
Our Purpose Statement: We are committed to building a Biblical Community through Personal Relationship, not a Religion. Acts 2:42-47.
This drawing was provided by Larry Hardiman. It shows Lax and Capshaw as they looked in 1918. The drawing has been posted in two parts due to the size. The far right side of the 1st half should overlap a little with the far left side of the second half.
