The New Antioch Baptist Church said to go back more than 140 years was lost during the Bear Creek Fire of 2011.
The New Antioch Baptist Church was a strikingly original structure.
The article of reporter Michelle Williams for Sept. 5, 2016, Cass County Life tells of the burning of the New Antioch Baptist Church. It was an occurrence of the Bear Creek Fire.
New Antioch Baptist
MYSTERY Some mysteries while entertaining are not pleasant. Such is the case with this week’s “Where Is It?” mystery game.
Take a look at this elegant church building. Recognize it? Need a moment? Give yourself time. Consider its background before going on to the answer which is included in this week’s issue of the “Where Is It”challenge.
ANSWER This is the New Antioch Baptist Church which is no longer with us. It burned in the early morning hours of Sept. 5, a casualty of the Bear Creek Fire. The fire started on Sept. 4, 2011, and burned some 40,500 acres until contained Sept. 14. This was the Labor Day weekend some 13 years ago.
The church sat on a hill off County Road 1635 south west of Linden. It stood out among forests and pasture lands and had done so for more than 140 years. The church was “as unique as our congregation,” Pastor Byron Sparks told the local media in an article written by Cass County Life reporter Michelle Williams.
“Look at the horrible things people have gone through,” said church member Marvin Kelly. “What do they do? They bond together and do what they have to do.”
Editor’s Note: While the Where Is It? mystery usually does not seek an answer, if the reader of this article has information about the New Antioch Baptist Church please contact reporter Neil Abeles. Email is preferred: corneil11@aol.com