Journey of Faith

Our church was organized by a small group of Christians who met in the home of Gunnie and Lou Huggins in the area of Hammond Developmental Center in 1918. They called the Reverend Thomas Garner as the first pastor and named the church Sweet Home Baptist Church. The first service was held within the city limits of Albany, Louisiana, in a building in which strawberries were packed for shipping. Reverend Garner served as pastor until 1921. For a short time in the church's history, Reverend Hillery Robinson is said to have been the interim pastor.

The third minister, Reverend Mitchell Williams, served as pastor from October 1921, until the Lord called him home in August 1971. Many of our present auxiliaries were organized under his leadership. Included were the Sunday School, Senior Choir, Junior Choir, Senior Mission, Vacation Bible School, and in this part of Southeast Louisiana, the area's first Women Day Program. Real estate acquisitions during his tenure were as follows: August 21, 1931, November 1, 1939, November 18, 1947, and a land donation for a church cemetery by Pink Stewart on March 1, 1951. The first church that the members built was moved from its East Albany location called "THE BOTTOM" and placed on South Cafe Line Road in 1949. Before it was removed, the present sanctuary was erected beside it minus the bricks. Ribbon cutting occurred on April 30, 1967. Reverend Watt Mixon delivered the message. Reverend Williams was a man of foresight and vision and took the Great Commission seriously. During his time the spiritual life of our church was greatly enhanced. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit through service and will be remembered as a pastor, preacher, organizer, friend, and financial strategist.

The next leader who accepted our call was Reverend Leon T. Maryland, Sr. on October 28, 1971. He was also a builder and remodeled the old South Cafe Line sanctuary, adding bricks and all the additional rooms. . He served as the very loving, caring, and able assistant pastor of Reverend Mitchell Williams until his death. Reverend Maryland sowed the word of God which fell on good ground, and sprang up and bear fruity a hundred-fold. SHBC members were fortunate to have the industrious, God-sent Revered Maryland as pastor.

In the years that followed SHBC was blessed with the services of Reverend Elmore Garner, the grandson of our first pastor. He became pastor on September 8, 1984, and remained with us until December 31, 1991. Pastor Garner was a young Christian man who was a leader with strength and influence. He was very knowledgeable on matters of church government and discipline, he related well to the younger members of the church. Because of his gifts, membership was at its highest in church history. Major purchases during his administration included the land on which our new edifice sits today and van. There were six members called to the ministry and ordained during his pastorate.