In 1916 the Church celebrated her Centennial Anniversary by a special religious program. The Centennial Celebration began the evening of May 26, followed by day and night meetings the 27th and 28th. I suspect some of you remember cooking food in the large iron kettles hung over the fire. Each church of Prairie Association was asked to have one delegate from both Church and Sunday School and all former pators were invited to attend. The program was participated in by each department of the church. The history written by Rev. James Paddock was read and a roll call made.

In 1966 the church celebrated its sesquicentennial. A full weekend of services were scheduled. Vacation Bible School was held the week prior to the 150th Birthday celebration. V.B.S. closing exercises were held on Friday evening with Pastor Harold Thomas speaking.

On Saturday evening, June 18th, Pat and Tom Dental, missionaries returning from Dakar, Senegal, Africa, were present to speak.

A day of meetings were planned for Sunday. Rev. Bill Ketner, a former pastor, brought the morning message, Communion service followed.

A carry-in basket dinner was served at 12 noon and the folks met with old acquaintances and made new friendships. This was followed by Norah Johnson, church historian [and author of this booklet], at 1:30 p.m., and Dr. Dallas West was the afternoon speaker.

The evening service, at 7:30 p.m., featured the Crusaders Quartet. A good time was had by all.

Nell Moore wrote a puppet play depicting scenes from long ago business meetings. We also purchased a new 50 star flag for our celebration.

[Letter sent to all members of First Prairie Creek Baptist Church for celebration of Sesquicentennial 1816-1966. Harold Thomas, Pastor.]

A full week end of services is scheduled at the First Prairie Creek Baptist Church, June 17, 18 and 19, in observance of its sesquicentennial year.

It is hoped that friends of yesteryear and former pastors will be able to return for this occasion and that friends in the community as well as the membership will plan to be present.

Vacation Bible School will be held June 13th to 17th, at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with closing exercises planned for Friday evening. This will be the first of the week end meetings and the Reverend Harold Thomas will be speaking. Closing exercises will begin at 7:30 p.m. instead of 6:30.

Saturday, June 18th, at 7:30 p.m., Pat and Tom Dentel, Missionaries returning from Dakar, Senegal, Africa, will be present to speark. As you know, this is Pat's home church. Don't miss this service with emphasis upon Church mission work and particularly upon the work and experiences of Pat and Tom.

A day of meetings is planned for June 19th. Sunday School will be at 10:00 a.m. Come with your family. The Morning Worship Service is at 10:45 with former pastor Reverend Bill Ketner bringing the message. This will be followed at 11:45 with Communion Service.

At 12:00 a carry-in basket dinner will be served. Plan to stay and meet informally with old friends and to make new acquaintances.

At 1:30 Miss Norah Johnson will be heard as church historian, and she will be followed at 2:00 by Dr. Dallas West, Superintendent of the American Baptist Association, who will be the afternoon speaker. At 2:30, time will be given for recognition of former pastors.

The evening service at 7:30 will feature the Crusaders Quartet. This will be an outstanding ministry of music, and all who have been blessed by this quartet in time past will want to bring a friend and come.

We earnestly hope that YOU will have an opportunity to come and join with us during this special time.

THE SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE

As these notes are written, plans and preparations are under way for us to celebrate our 180th birthday of the church. A very special day has been planned for October 20, 1996, starting with coffee and doughnuts at 10 a.m. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. we will be singing hymns of praise for God's love, mercy and goodness in allowing our little church to prosper for these many years. Morning worship will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ray Dyer bringing the message. Following the message we will all go over to the community building in Prairie Creek for a carry-in Dinner. A Gospel sing featuring "Heaven's Jubilee" and "New Creations" will be at 2:00 p.m.

A good time is to be had by all. May all the honor, praise and glory be to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.