Cedar Valley Baptist Church

Continuation of the History, compiled by Fran Dixon during the Centennial Year, 2010

  The women of Cedar Valley participated in the Southern Baptist Convention’s celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of the WMU. Jack Neil continued as pastor until 1990.

   In 1981 a discussion was started to build a new annex. In May 1982 the church voted to go forward with this building program. This would include a new fellowship hall and class rooms. The annex would be attached to the sanctuary to match the existing wing on the other side. The building committee consisted of: James Joiner, Hansel Ryle, Buddy Liggin, Jack Ivey, Ann Lacey and Fran Dixon. The work on the building was started in December 1982 and the dedication was held June 12, 1983.

   In March 1984 a special fund was begun to place stain glass windows in the sanctuary. These were added to the sanctuary in May 1984.

  The 1990’s was a busy decade at Cedar Valley. We began the decade with an average Sunday School Attendance of 125. Through a love offering, we helped pay the expenses for Anne Marie Spalinger to go on a mission trip to

  A note burning ceremony was observed on Sunday, August 26, 1990 to celebrate paying off the note on the Fellowship Hall/Education Building. Keith Alderman began his ministry at Cedar Valley on January 16, 1991. During 1991 David Spalinger was ordained as pastor.

  In December 1991 a Sanctuary Renovation Committee consisting of Ann Lacey, Joyce Liggin, Mary Ann Parks, Tom Hall and Daryl Arrington was appointed to get estimates for remodeling the sanctuary. This was done at a cost of more that $50,000 and completed in 1994.

   During the early 1990’s we sent between 15 to 30 youth to Super Wow in the summer and averaged between 90 and 100 children in Vacation Bible School. We had several State Bible Drill Winners during this decade.

  In 1993 we purchased new hymnals and Bibles and choir robes. In 1994 a Sunday School room was remodeled and converted into a Prayer Room as a Memorial to Jack and Helen Ivey.

  In 1996 we purchased a new organ and remodeled the choir room in memory of Joe and Ruby Lacey and P.G. and Cleone Poteet. We also observed an Appreciation Day for Buddy and Joyce Liggin and a Phoebe DeVaughn painting of the church was hung in the fellowship hall in their honor.

 Rev. Ellis Taff served as interim pastor prior to Rev. Mike Truitt’s call in June 1997.

 Although many great things happened in the ‘90’s, there were some occasions what were not so good. None of us can forget the flood of 1994; this gave us an opportunity to help members of the community. We assisted with meals for volunteers and other projects. There was always a constant battle with roof problems. Thieves decided they had more need of some of our possessions than we did. Among the items stolen was the painting give in honor of Buddy and Joyce. We had a security system installed and then replaced the items that were stolen. Phoebe DeVaughn painted another picture which now hangs in the Fellowship Hall.

  In November 1997 we participated in the World Mission Conference through the Houston Association. In April 1998 we voted to contribute $75 per month to the Hispanic Mission.

  In 1998 Bro. Mike went on a mission trip to Tanzania. We voted to move from the Houston Association to the Friendship Association.

  In 1999 we started a fund for a Baby Grand Piano and a special dedication was held September 10, 2000 to dedicate the piano “to the glory of God in memory of Gene Lacey and in honor of Ann Lacey.”

  In 2000 we participated in the Cross Over Macon County Crusade with other local churches.

 Between 2003 and 2005 Brother Mike and his son, Jason, went on a mission trip to Pennsylvania and to Albany, New York. Brother Mike and his daughter, Lauren, also went on two mission trips.

  In 2004 the Centennial Committee was formed to start making plans for our celebration of the first 100 years of Cedar Valley Baptist Church.

  In 2005 we participated in Macon County with Love to assist needy families in our community. We also sent a love offering through the Southern Baptist Convention to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

  During 2006 and 2007 Sunday School teachers and leaders participated in a year-long mentoring program through the Friendship Association.

   During 2006 Rachel Rye toured with the Georgia Baptist Youth Choir. Lisa Truitt and Rose Mary Thompson are members of the Jubelairs, a choir of Music Directors from the Georgia Baptist Convention. They give concerts across the state.

  In 2007 a tornado hit Americus and demolished the Friendship Association Offices along with the hospital and a large part of Americus. We assisted by providing meals for the volunteers. It was decided to sell the land in Americus and move the Friendship Association Office to Ellaville. Land was purchased and a new building was erected. At Friendship’s Annual Meeting in 2008 a special program was presented to highlight the destruction of the old building and the building of the new one. 

  We have participated in the Relay for Life and in 2007 the Youth Team led by Leslie Rye won the Top Silver All Star Team, raising over $3,000.

   In 2008 the media system was purchased and installed. In 2009 a metal roof was installed on the pastorium and on the church in 2010. The latest improvement is the renovation of the Fellowship Hall and Kitchen which were completed in time for Homecoming on the 4^th Sunday of October, 2010.

   We’ve only just begun.