UBC Beginnings
University Baptist Church is a gathering of a special group of people, at a special time and place, brought together by the love of God for a particular purpose. University Baptist, formed because of strong convictions, remains today a tribute to the resolve of a body of believers to live according to Jesus' mandate to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves.
Celebrating Jesus Christ,
Living out God's vocation,
Becoming a people of God.
On June 20, 1971, a group met to consider the formation of a new church in Montevallo. The first worship services of the group were held at Montevallo Presbyterian Church, and morning worship continued there for two months. St. Thomas The Apostle Roman Catholic Church opened their doors for the new church's first evening service. Fellowship meals began in July on Wednesday nights in the yard of Jimmy and Jane Jones.
On July 1, 1971, Reverend George Steincross, formerly pastor of Montevallo First Baptist Church, was called as pastor of the group, now known as New Baptist Church. Offices were rented in the Mixon-Weston Building on Main Street in Montevallo and the group became increasingly active. New Baptist church joined with the Montevallo United Methodist Church in Vacation Bible School and and ecumenical Brotherhood formed in the community. A joint service with Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church was held, and a "nearly new" store opened as a service to the community.
On August 25, 1971, the New Baptist Church assumed the permanent name University Baptist Church. Amazingly, in September of 1971, the group decided to buy 9.9 acres of church property for $50,000 and paid it in full by July of 1972. October of 1971 the church was chartered with 225 persons, which included 62 students from the University of Montevallo. Their first deaf ministry began on November 7, 1971, and they opened their kindergarten with Mimi Lawley and Diana Francis as the first teachers.
On March 4, 1973 they gathered for worship in their new worship center, designed to be flexible for different worship experiences. The architectural design of the building is expressive of the uplifting and open nature of God's love. Just as the extensive use of glass expresses freedom to come and go, the doors of University Baptist are open to all persons of all races and status for attendance and membership. University Baptist is also open to the freedom of a person to express his or her worship in spirit and in truth -- limited only by that person's creativity and commitment.
The University Baptist love for creativity can be seen in the paintings hanging in the sanctuary, given to the church by Charles M. Clark a young artist and University of Mississippi student, whose parents were members of the church. Musical creativity also enhances the worship experience at University Baptist each Sunday. In 1974, Dr. Ed Robertson dedicated the hymn "To Be A People" to University Baptist. Dr. Robertson, embodying the spirit of the congregation, composed the hymn with the purposes set forth in the Covenant and Objectives of the church in mind.
University Baptist Church is described as not just a building with a steeple, but a people with a calling. A congregation called to be a people who love the Lord our God with heart and soul, mind and strength, and a congregation who loves our neighbors as ourselves.
To Be A People
To be a fellowship that worships God
And gives him thanks day by day,
To be committed to a risen Lord
To let his life guide our way,
To show compassion for all in need
No matter who they may be,
To be a fellowship that touches lives
To give them hope, set them free,
To be a people who love our God
With heart and soul, mind and strength,
A people who love our neighbors as ourselves,
We want to be.
Lord, help us to be.
