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History of Lakeside

Lakeside Baptist Church began as a mission, sponsored by the Shades Mountain Baptist Church, on September 29, 1957. Their first meeting place was the Rocky Ridge Elementary School (presently the site of the Alabama AAA building). From the beginning, the mission held Sunday School and both Morning and Evening Worship Services. The Wednesday night Fellowship Supper and Prayer Meeting was held in the Community Center. On that first Sunday, there were 58 in Sunday School and 35 in Training Union. On that first Sunday, 37 new members joined by letter and had an offering of $263.40.

Julian Yuille, a student from Howard College (now Samford University), was the first pastor. Carey Jackson served as the first volunteer music director and remained in this position until a full time paid director was called. The volunteer pianist was Miss Peggy Weldon. The church name was suggested by one of the first members, Mr. R.B. Reid. Purchase of property for a permanent church building was made possible by contributions from Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Shades Crest Baptist Church. and the Birmingham Baptist Association. The property adjoined Lake Cahaba, where McDonald's and 1-459 now stand. On October 6, 1957, the congregation approved the name, ''Lakeside Baptist Mission." Lakeside Mission became Lakeside Baptist Church on April 13, 1958, and a member of the Birmingham Baptist Association on October 16 of that year. Construction of the church began when Mrs. Eunice Wyers lifted the first shovel of dirt on October 5, 1958.

Twenty-eight pews and twenty-five copies of the Broadman Hymnal were purchased for the new sanctuary. This first unit consisted of nineteen Sunday School classrooms, a Sanctuary with seating capacity of 250. Construction cost was estimated at $60,000. The first leaders of Lakeside were: Rev. Julian Yuille Pastor; Mr. H.G. Youngblood, Chairman of Deacons; Mr. Herbert Vines, Chairman of Finance; and Mr. Fletcher Nottingham, Building Chairman.

On March 22, 1959, the first serviceman held in the new building. Nine new members were received; eight professions of faith and one by statement. A total of 149 were present. Rev. L. Earl Tew became pastor of Lakeside on August 1, 1959. He and his family resided in the church pastorium, located on Blueberry Lane. This house was latter used a missionary house until it was sold in 2004. Lakeside Kindergarten began in September 1961 with Mrs. John (Mabel) Lewis as its first Director. The freshman class consisted of only five year- olds and has grown to include three and four-year olds as well as a Mothers' Day Out Ministry. The first addition to the building cost $64,232 and was dedicated on September 30, 1962. The second addition was completed in April 1966 at a cost of $92.000.

It was during this time that Mrs. Virginia Curlee organized the church library. She nurtured and expanded it until her death in January of 2000. The third building program was completed on October 25, 1970 when the present sanctuary was constructed. By October 1, 1977 the membership had grown to 1,304 and the staff had increased from one to seven; Pastor, Minister of Education; Minister of Music; Minister of Youth and Recreation, and three secretaries. After 21 years of service, Rev. L. Earl Tew resigned as pastor on June 1, 1980. During his tenure, Lakeside membership increased from 132 to 1300, while the budget increased from $19,659 to $410,000.

Rev. Ray Wood became interim pastor on June 1, 1980. and accepted the pastorate on September 5, 1980. As Lakeside continued to grow, Bro. Wood felt the need for an associate pastor and in May 1981 Rev. Mike McLemore was called as Associate Pastor and Minister of Evangelism. Rev. McLemore had previously served Lakeside as Minister of Youth from 1974-1976. In 1981, a second house was purchased as a home for ministerial staff. This house is located across Old Rocky Ridge Road from the church and is currently being used as a missionary house. The Carpenters for Christ Ministry, led by Mr. Tom Gachet. began in June 1983 when fourteen men spent one week in Ohio building a Baptist church. Every year since then a group from Lakeside has served, helping to erect churches in different states across the nation and in foreign countries. Bro. Wood announced his plans to retire, and resigned on June 26, 1983.

In 2000, the Bride's Room was designed and flourished by Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Day. This room is located on the second floor of building ''B.'' Another renovation project was started in 2003 which included adding a full commercial kitchen, total renovation of the fellowship hall, adding Sunday School rooms, rewiring our computer and data processing systems, etc. This project was completed in 2004 at a cost of $4,000,000. The Long-Range Planning Committee is currently working to develop a Master Plan for the 14 acres across the road from the church and to bridge the two pieces of property together. In Spring 2007, Bro. Mike announced his plans to accept the position of Executive Director of the Birmingham Baptist Association. At that time, Lakeside called Rev. Breck Ladd as Senior Pastor. His background and knowledge of the Faith is extraordinary. With this devotion to spreading the Gospel, Rev. Ladd continues to lead Lakeside rapidly forward in the areas of ministry, worship and outreach.

The present 2010 Sunday School enrollment is 2021 with a total church membership of 3600. The ministerial staff has increased to eight full-time staff members with eight full-time support staff members. Fifty-two years ago, a few people met to begin a faith journey by planting the seed of Lakeside Baptist Church. In celebrating this beginning, may we never forget the many who have watered (some now in heaven; some in other churches), and who shared in the love and pride of the growth and ministry of Lakeside Baptist Church. And may we always give God the Glory for the increase.

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