About Us

We welcome as our new pastor, Scott Conner and his wife, Nola to Alcester Baptist Church as of December 1, 2008. Praise God that He has provided us this Godly man to help share the Good News of Jesus Christ in Alcester!  

In 1893 the A.P. Johnson family moved to Alcester. They were members of the Big Springs Baptist Church and became the first Baptists to live in Alcester. This paved the way for others to join in and the numbers increased to 20 or more by 1901.

 Sometime in the year 1898 Rev. Silene, pastor of the Big Springs Baptist Church, suggested that some Baptist work should be done in Alcester. This led to a meeting of Pastor Silene and some interested town folks in the office of Eric Nilson, local furniture man. The group heard that a Baptist church building in Beresford was available because the congregation had disbanded. It was offered free on the condition that a $300 debt against it be paid off. For some unexplained reason the deal fell through, however, out of all this an idea evolved that the Alcester Baptists should have a building of their own. 

For Alcester Baptist Church, the building came before the church was officially organized. Actual cornerstone laying took place in 1902, however, planning and acquisition of a building site had to come first. Eventually all of this fell into  place. The lot where the church presently stands was purchased with the help of "The Town Lot Company" for $150.00. In April 1901 a wooden sidewalk was built for $21.00. 

Actual construction started in April 1902 with digging a hole for the furnace. Excavating equipment included a borrowed plow, scraper and laborers. On Sunday, June 16th, 1902, a special ceremony with the sealing of the cornerstone to place. 

Items placed in the cornerstone were: small Bible, list of officers and members of the church, small copy of Baptist church manual, names of contributors to the Building Fund, last copy of the "Baptist Standard", copy of "Nya Wecko Posten", last copy of Alcester Union, Bulletin from the Foreign Missionary Society, copy of program, sketch of work carried on in Alcester, financial statement and copy of Swedish New Testament and Psalms. Dedication to the church building was held on February 3, 1903. Total cost of lots, building, furnishings and insurance was $2,797.70.

On Sunday, April 28, 1907 at 2:00 p.m., Alcester Baptist officially became a church. Big Springs granted permission to organize. In addition, members from Big Springs who so desired, were granted transfers to the new church. Officers elected were: Chairman, A.P. Johnson, Secretary, Chas. J. Peterson, Treasurer, Eric Nilson, Deacons, A.P. Johnson and A.E. Edson, Trustees, L.E. Svarry, J.A. Swenson, Wm. Peterson, J.W. Edson and John Bergdale.

Other organizations soon evolved. In 1908 a young people's group named the BYPU was formed and eventually grew to over 40 members. Later came the World Wide Guild and Choir. The Ladies Aid was organized in 1902 and grew in number each year. Conditions were tough in those years. Farm prices were low with wheat at 5 cents per bu., oats at 9 cents, corn at 8-9 cents, eggs 5 cents per dozen and butter 8 cents per pound. Despite the hardships, the church and its organizations were adequately financed plus a substantial part of the budget went to missions. 

 On this, our 100th Anniversary, we want to move ahead with the vision and determination of our founding fathers. Our prayer is to be the "Lighthouse on the Hill" for generations to come.