The History Through Pictures

The Struggling Early Years

"The town of Gulf Shores struggled into existence in 1956-57 over the protests of some residents in the area. There were 37 registered voters in a local population of about 120 persons. Besides the few homes scattered around the woods and along the beach, there were cottages and several small businesses in the community.

Access to Pleasure Island, over the Intercoastal Canal, was via a swing bridge which had replaced an old pontoon bridge in 1946. The roads were dirt and municipal services were almost non-existent. Most homes and businesses used wells to obtain water and all used septic tanks. Meetings were held initially in private homes, offices, or the community house eventually donated to the town by the Lions Club.

"Howard Rush was called as the association missionary for Baldwin Baptist Association in December 1957. Soon after his arrival, he expressed the need for a Baptist church in the town of Gulf Shores. Even though Gulf Shores was such a small, struggling community, everything pointed to growth, and several Baptist families were already living there."

After being turned down by one church..."Rush turned to Lagoon Baptist Church, which was a small congregation long established about five miles down Ft. Morgan Road on Pleasure Island. Seth Murphy was the pastor. Lagoon took the challenge, with those families living in Gulf Shores expressing a desire to begin their own church.

"Who was actually responsible for organizing the first service of the new mission on June 1, 1958 in the community house has long since been lost.... In only one short month the decision was made to constitute as a separate church. On July 13, 1958 First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores, Alabama was formally organized in an afternoon service at the community house." Speakers included Forrest Crotwell, Howard Rush and Chaplain Roy Bonner.... "God wanted a Baptist church in Gulf Shores. He was the One who truly brought this fellowship into existence and breathed life into it."

Our Charter Members

"By August 17, 1958 there were 48 charter members (34 from Lagoon Baptist and 14 from Bon Secour Baptist Church." These members were as follows:

• Mr. & Mrs. Dean G. Almon
• Mr. & Mrs. Doris H. Armstrong
• Forrest & Sarah Mae Crotwell
• Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Crotwell
• Stephen Crotwell
• Vincent Crotwell
• Christy Crotwell
• Damon & Bernice Fuqua
• Retha Fuqua
• Mrs. Gilbert Foreman
• Frank & Virginia Frith
• Fred & Fran Frith
• Donald Frith
• Mr. & Mrs. R. D. Frith
• Mrs. L. L. Hilburn
• Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Jackson
• Cheryl Jackson
• Mrs. Polk Koonce
• Mr. & Mrs. Frank Montgomery, Sr.
• Mr. & Mrs. Monroe McLeod
• Judith McLeod
• Kenneth McLeod
• Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Mund
• Wayne Mund
• Mr. & Mrs. Harry Mund
• Mr. & Mrs. James Nelson
• Betty Nelson
• Elva Nelson
• Dawson Nelson
• D. L. Nelson
• Malcolm Nelson
• Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Nelson Jr.
• Mrs. Jimmie Patterson

Land Donated

"On July 20, 1958 Mr. & Mrs. George C. Meyer donated three lots to the fledgling church for the purpose of erecting a church building." A building program began that resulted in the purchasing of two additional lots from the Myers "to provide more room for the church building, parking, and future growth."

Also on this date, "Sunday School began ... with eight classes...." Because there was little room at the community house, "some met under trees and in cars until different ones invited them to meet in their homes."

Baldwin Baptist Accepts FBC

"The church sent a letter in August to Baldwin Baptist Association requesting to be admitted into that organization as a supporting member church. At its 44th annual meeting on October 1, 1958, the Baldwin Baptist Association accepted First Baptist, Gulf Shores as a member church." FBC membership at that time was 48 with 62 enrolled in Sunday School. The church property was valued at $5,250; debt totaled $1,480.