The Sunday services for Salem Baptist Church’s 185th Celebration and Homecoming Revival Nov. 1, brought “home” many former members, ministers, music directors and friends.

Services will continue through Sunday, Nov. 8 and all of those with ties to Salem and friends of the church are invited to attend.

Salem Baptist Church in Brundidge has the distinction of being the oldest church in Pike County.

“The church was organized by Dr. C.T. Mahoney in 1824,” said the Rev. Bobby Hood, church pastor. “Since that time, Salem has enriched the life of this section of the county.”

The Salem Baptist Association was organized in 1839, the Baptist General Association in 1868, the Ladies Aide Society in 1891, the Salem-Troy Baptist Association in 1904 and the Women’s Missionary Society in 1905.

The first “meeting house” was a log structure and the church occupied four wooden buildings before the present brick structure was built in 1939, which is the “home” church of many of the members.

Hood said this Homecoming 2009 is very special because it is the 185th anniversary of the founding the Salem Baptist Church.

Special programs and services are planned for each day through Sunday Nov. 8 with the exception of Saturday, Nov. 7.

“Paul Krug will serve as our organist and Ursula Bryant will serve as pianist for the entire Homecoming Revival,” Hood said.

“The noon programs will begin at 12:15 p.m. each daily with guests speakers, Dilla Lyons, today; Ellis Bush, Jr. Wednesday; Roger Waldrop, Thursday and Berney Enzor on Friday.”

At noon on Sunday, Nov. 8, there will be an old-fashioned dinner on the grounds and everyone is invited to be a part of this time of fellowship.

Each day at 5:30 p.m. Keith Caldwell will work with all of the youth. Caldwell is a former member of Salem. He now shares his message of faith in song and through his testimony.

At 6:30 p.m. tonight through Friday, special music will be presented by the Revival Choir and Caldwell.

The evening services will begin at 7 p.m. with special music and guest ministers nightly.

Tonight’s special music will be presented by Caldwell, Nancy Krug and Debbie Fortune. Ellis Bush, Sr. will be the guest minister.

On Wednesday night, special music will be presented by Jones and Linda Carroll and Mack King will be the guest minister.

Beck Bush and the Sandifer ladies will present the music on Thursday night with Bob Sandifer as guest minister.

Caldwell and Cliff and Debbie Allred will sing on Friday night and then Cliff Allred will step behind the pulpit as guest minister.

Sunday, Nov. 8 will bring to a close Salem Baptist Church’s 185th Celebration and Homecoming Revival.

The morning service will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Caldwell and Phil Kelly providing the music. Mickey Castleberry will preach.

Dinner on the grounds will be at noon and the 7 p.m. closing service will feature music by Caldwell, Virginia Churchwell, Jones and Linda Carroll and Joe Stinson. Larry Teal will deliver the closing Homecoming Revival message.

“Everyone is invited to join us for this special time of celebration and worship,” Hood said.