LaFayette Heights Baptist Church has its roots in the early 1900s when cotton mills were established throughout east central Alabama.
In the 1920s, The LaFayette Cotton Mill built a village in North LaFayette, which included a one-room building used as an auditorium and schoolhouse. This building became a place of worship for the mill village residents. The earliest record of religious services in this building dates back to July 17, 1923, when a Methodist church was organized. Around the same time, residents began efforts to establish a Baptist church, known as The Second Baptist Church of LaFayette, which shared the auditorium with the Methodist congregation.
The Second Baptist Church of LaFayette was admitted to the East Liberty Baptist Association on October 11, 1923. However, the church faced challenges during the late 1920s and early 1930s. The Great Depression led to the closure of the mill for about two years, causing the church to cease functioning. On October 7-8, 1931, it was reported that the church had been dissolved. However, the congregation’s spirit remained strong, and on September 24, 1933, a reorganizational meeting was held to revive the church.
The church experienced significant growth and development in the following decades.
In 1951, Brother Herbert Howard was called as pastor, and the congregation began saving for a building fund. In 1954, they purchased the lot where the church currently stands and began construction. The main auditorium was completed in April 1959, with a dedication service held on November 22, 1959. On February 7, 1960, the church voted to change its name from The Second Baptist Church of LaFayette to LaFayette Heights Baptist Church, marking a new chapter in its history. This resilient congregation has weathered challenges and changes for nearly a century, leaving a lasting legacy in the LaFayette community.
For 36 years, Brother Paul Howard served as the church’s steadfast leader, guiding the congregation through decades of growth and change. His tenure, marked by unwavering commitment and pastoral care, saw the church flourish into a beacon of hope for the LaFayette community. Under his leadership, the church not only grew spiritually but also physically, with the construction of new facilities to accommodate the expanding congregation. Upon his retirement in August 2023, Brother Paul was honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus, a testament to his enduring impact on the church family.
Today, LaFayette Heights Baptist Church continues its mission under the leadership of Pastor Dave Bearden.
Building upon the godly legacy of his predecessors, Pastor Dave is guiding the church into a new season of biblically-faithful, gospel-centered ministry. His faithful leadership strikes a balance between honoring the church’s rich history and embracing fresh directions to meet the increasing spiritual needs of the community. As the church moves forward, it remains committed to its founding principles of faith, community, and service, ensuring that the light of Christ continues to shine brightly in LaFayette for generations to come.