Story and photo by Monty Siekerman
It's not Jericho in the year 1400 BCE, but the walls came tumbling down Monday at the site of the former First Baptist Church of Ada, in the 100 block of East Highland Avenue, where many a sermon was preached and weddings and funerals were held.
The property has been owned by Midwest Rehab Inc. for several years. The brick portion to the north will be saved. The stained glass windows were taken out by the wrecking ball. Several years ago, the church moved to West North Street (State Route 81) where there was more space for worship and activities, land and parking.
Thanks to Paul Logsdon we know some history of the Baptist Church sanctuary, which became a pile of rubble in a few short hours on Monday.
The old part of the church was dedicated May 10, 1868, at a cost of $2,500. It sat on the northeast corner of Simon and Montford.
In 1891 the members moved the church to the Highland Avenue location. On March 10, 1893, the church re-opened after the building was moved.
The Baptist Church purchased its current location from Genesis Fellowship (formerly Southern Baptist Church) in 2008. Their first service in the State Route 81 location was held on Sept. 4, 2008.
