Long Heights Baptist Church Pays Off Mortgage

McKENZIE (August 24) — Long Heights Baptist Church in McKenzie has paid off its mortgage. The church celebrated the occasion with a note-burning ceremony Sunday morning, concluded with four baptisms.

Young church member Griffin Bargery set the note on fire, supported by financial secretary Jenny Lehmkul, treasurer and former trustee Keith Robertson, and deacon emeritus and former trustee Bob Cole.

Long Heights Baptist Church moved into its new building at 260 Old Paris Road on August 28, 2005. The total relocation cost was $1,932,297.98.

7,665 days later, the church building is now paid in full, thanks to donations and various fundraising efforts from churchgoers throughout the years.

Brother Kenny Carr recounted the church's early years and how, though many things have changed, the church's mission remains the same: to reach up, reach out and reach in.

Sunday's celebration brought back memories for some attendees, many of whom attended the building's groundbreaking.

While the building was under construction, they would sometimes have worship services in the incomplete rooms. Attendees would write scripture and prayers on the walls, which were eventually covered.

Carr recalled leading a procession from the old church building to the new church on move-in day, carrying a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, built by Steve Bowden. As time went on, children would put gathered donations into the Ark. Carr commented on how blessed he was to see some of those same children now raising families of their own in the church.

“Every single one of you matter in what we’re celebrating today,” Carr said during Sunday's sermon.

Former Long Heights worship leaders Daniel Doss, Brian Hill, Matthew Holt, Jerry Gaylord and Andrew Cottrill returned to the church on Sunday to lead worship.