100th anniversary: Beaucoup Baptist Church
Pinckneyville Beaucoup Baptist Church will be celebrating "100 years of Serving the Lord" on April 10-12 with various services and activities. On Friday night, April 10 at 6:30, the church will be hosting a gospel concert featuring Sons of the Father Quartet, and Perry Case and Praise Band. Everyone is invited to attend this night to help celebrate our anniversary.
On Sunday morning, April 12, there will be Sunday school at 9:30 a.m., worship service at 10:30 p.m. and a potluck meal.
Various activities are planned throughout 2015.
In 1914, a group of Christian believers began to meet in Beaucoup School house, and from that became the First Baptist Church of Beaucoup. They met on Sunday mornings for Sunday school, and when a preacher was available had preaching services. Two times a month, they met in prayer services with Friday night chosen as the day to meet.
On April 15, 1915, the church was formally constituted. The church continued to meet in the Beaucoup School house. On October 12, 1915, the church was admitted into the Nine Mile Baptist Association.
In May of 1924, the church purchased ground to build a house of worship. One acre of ground and roadway was bought for the sum of $175.00. That acre of ground is the location of our present building. The first sanctuary was erected and was dedicated in November of 1924.
In 1958, the church added an education building. On March 8, 1960, a fire destroyed the sanctuary. A new sanctuary was built and dedicated on December 31, 1960.
During the 100 years of existence, Beaucoup church has had 21 pastors with the current pastor being Mark Lee.
Average Sunday school attendance is about 135 and worship attendance 185. Beaucoup Baptist has members of all ages and has a growing and active youth group and children's ministry.
The church offers a Pathway Preschool Program which meets on Wednesday mornings during the spring and fall. This program is open to any 3, 4 or 5 year olds in the community.
The newest children's program is TeamKid which meets on Sunday evenings. It begins at 5 p.m. with a meal for the kids and then a fun time of music, Bible lessons and games. TeamKid is open to any child in the community age 4 years through 6th grade.
During this same time on Sunday evenings, the church offers classes for teen girls and guys.
During the month of July (this year is July 13-17) there is Vacation Bible School in the evenings with a VBS kick-off on the Sunday before it starts. The kick-off is filled with fun, food, games and blow ups. This evening is followed by a week full of exciting Bible Study, music, crafts, games and refreshments. The Vacation Bible School is open to all kids ages 4 through 6th grade in the community.
Service times are:
Sunday School 9:30 with classes for all ages
Morning worship 10:30
Sunday evening worship 6:30
Wednesday evening prayer meeting 6:00
Sunday evening TeamKid 5:00-7:15
Sunday evening Teen Classes 5:30-7:15
Pathway Wednesday mornings 8:50-11:00