The year 2019 will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Perry as a town. It will also mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the First Baptist Church as the first church established in the new town.
In order to make clear its continuing commitment to the welfare of the Perry community and to prepare itself for the sacred and secular double anniversary, the First Baptist Church of Perry recently became a dues-paying member of the Perry Chamber of Commerce, a relationship solemnized Sunday morning with a ribbon cutting in the foyer of the church.
The Rev. Chris Tjapkes, pastor of the First Baptist Church at 1220 Fourth St., was joined by about 50 fellow congregants in welcoming Perry Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Wilson, Chamber members Chrissy Danger and Misty VonBehren and publicist Jeff Wilson for the Brief ceremony.
“We could take Baptist off and call ourselves the First Church if we wanted to,” said Tjapkes, “but that would be proud. That would be arrogant, right? So we’ll just keep that there. But we have a responsibility to our community. We’re learning that it’s important to be not only belong to a church but belong to a community and minister to it.”
Bob Wilson suggested that part of that ministry could be leading the planning for the 2019 sesquicentennial of both the church and the city, and Tjapkes was not behindhand in taking up the suggestion.
For more information about the sesquicentennial or to volunteer to help with its planning, call the First Baptist Church at 515-465-4669.
