Prairie View Baptist Church Celebrates 150th Anniversary
Article Submitted
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” Hebrews 13:8
Prairie View Baptist Church was able to celebrate its 150th anniversary on October 4, 2025. It was a beautiful day full of fun, fellowship, remembrance, and worship.
Appropriately 130 people attended the event hosted on the church grounds. A museum was set up inside the fellowship hall with photos, church records and beautiful quilts from past years of Prairie View. There was a bounce house and yard games for the children to enjoy, and it was great to hear their laughter throughout the evening. Kathleen Wilham from the Shelby County Historical Society gave a wonderful cemetery tour discussing the people who were buried there.
Roller Behring and family fried delicious fish and potatoes for dinner and side dishes were prepared by BK’s in Monroe City. A variety of pies and other desserts were provided by ladies from the church. There was also a silent pie auction which raised $550 to help support a local family.
After dinner, a worship service was held outside. Music was provided by Darren and Kyle Cullifer. Darren played guitar and they both sang well-known hymns from the past including
“Great is Thy Faithfulness”, “It Is Well with my Soul”, “Are you washed in the Blood?”, and “I’ll Fly Away”.
Al Groner, Director of Mission from the Bethel Baptist Association shared church history from the association. Linda Cullifer and Gene Behring shared stories and history of people they remember from Prairie View as well as interesting facts which were found in old church records.
Mike Lehew, Director of Mobile Missions Network shared a message praising God for 150 years of faithfulness to the church, as well as encouragement for the future of the church. He shared, “The goal is not just to last, the goal is to reach.” Brother Mike gave a call to recommit to the vision that was started 150 years ago by the founders of the church. They saw a need for sharing Jesus with the community then, and the need for Jesus continues today.
Brandon Snider, Pastor of Prairie View Baptist Church closed the evening by reminding the group that we, the people of Prairie View, are the church. Some might say we are in the middle of nowhere, but can change our thinking to see that God has placed us “in the middle of everywhere” and we have an important mission to share Jesus with those around us. We praise God for the past 150 years of Prairie View and look forward to how God wants to use us now and in the future.
