Ward prints of old First Baptist building to benefit missions

A few years ago, Warren Landers commissioned artist Jerry Ward to paint a picture of the former First Baptist Church building as a way to pay tribute to the church and its members. Now, prints are being sold of that painting, and proceeds will benefit the church's mission projects, both locally and worldwide.

"I have commissioned Jerry to do some other paintings for me, but this is probably my favorite," Landers said. "That's where I went to church as a child ... I'm prouder of that one than any other, even though it doesn't hang in my home."

For the same reason Landers wanted the painting (which he hung in the church upon its completion), he, his wife, Dena Landers, and Ward believe others -- even non-members of the church -- will take interest in it.

"When you think about all the weddings and funerals that were held in that church ... it brings back a lot of memories," Ward said. "It was the hub of the community."

Historic church

Built in 1906, Landers said FBC was at one time the largest church in the community.

"It holds a lot of history of Shelbyville," Landers added. "At one time, that is where all the movers and shakers went."

While Ward was working on the painting, before it was finished, Landers said that Nina Gay Segroves, who attended FBC as a child and was also married there, previewed the painting, which evoked a certain emotion that Landers believes many would share.

After a long and heated debate, the original FBC was torn down in the late 1960s because of a growing number of members. Additionally, the church had some physical damage, from termites, and there was a need for major renovations. Landers said the renovations would have cost half as much as a new church.

"You had a lot of history in that building, but at the same time they needed space," said Landers. "But ultimately, it was a church and the purpose of a church is to reach people, and you need space to reach people."

Before he commissioned Ward to do the painting, Landers said so many older folks at the new FBC would smile while often reminiscing about the old church and sharing memories.

It's those folks, in addition to the memory of the old church itself, that prompted Landers to have the painting done.

"Some of them are no longer around, but I owe a lot of gratitude to those folks -- you know, the older members who gave up their time and taught Sunday school, for example," Landers said. "Those people don't realized how many lives they touched. I haven't forgot a single one of them."

Treasured memories

He says he'll never forget the day the painting was unveiled in the church's foyer. Members, old and new, looked in awe as they remembered the old church.

Because of the church's historical significance, "Jerry had the idea that maybe people would want to have it in their own home," said Landers, who credits his wife with supporting his idea.

"She has supported me and understood what all this meant to me," he said.

About 250 prints have been made. Cost is $25 per print. The cost of the prints has been set at a lower than normal price in the hopes that they will sell at a high volume.

"We are using this painting as a vehicle to raise money toward our missions," Landers said. "And by missions, I don't mean just world missions ... A couple of weeks ago we had 'Man of Missions' at church and were giving away food ... My pastor says, 'When you leave this parking lot out here, you're on a mission.'"

WHAT YOU CAN DO

If you would like to purchase a print, call First Baptist Church at 684-1634.