Westside Baptist Church was birthed through the merger of two churches, Immanuel Baptist Church and Pyle Baptist Church, both in Valdosta.

Immanuel Baptist Church was being served by an interim pastor, the Rev. Julian Maddox.

Pyle Baptist Church was led by a part-time pastor, the Rev. Wayne Hutchison.

The membership of Pyle Baptist Church, located on Crane Avenue, was in the process of searching for a suitable site to relocate.

 In July 1985, Russell Simpson and Norman Simpson, deacons of Immanuel, contacted Bryant Lane, chairman of the deacons at Pyle, concerning a possible merger of the two congregations into one church.

A series of meetings followed between the deacons of both churches, the deacons with their pastors and the members of each church leading to a consolidated church service on Sunday, Aug. 4, 1985, at Immanuel Baptist Church.

“It was a sweet time of fellowship, joyous singing and great preaching,” according to the church history.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, 1985, the two churches, meeting in a combined business session, voted unanimously to become as “one body in Christ” whose new name would be known as Westside Baptist Church.

The first Sunday worship for Westside Baptist Church was held by the pastor, the Rev. Wayne K. Hutchinson. On Dec. 16, 1985, Westside Baptist Church of Valdosta, Ga., Inc. was chartered by the Secretary of the State of Georgia.

Charter members of Westside included James   Mueller, Jeanette Mueller, Betty Jean Simpson, Sarah Pittman, Alton Swain, Norman and Dorothy Simpson, Ola Mae Young Bubanks, Greg Mueller, Betty Roark, Jim Herring, Julie Scruggs, Bob and Annie Lee Shaffer, Evelyn Kirkland, John and Mary Alice Tinsley, and Shirley Fountain.

The church’s fellowship hall was named in honor of Maddox and his wife.

A special ceremony was held on Dec. 22, 1985, in the fellowship hall, and a plaque with their picture was presented for display in the Maddox Fellowship Hall.

On Aug. 17, 1986, Westside members celebrated their first anniversary with Maddox as the guest speaker. Following the morning worship, all participated in a “magnificent” pot-luck dinner in the Maddox Fellowship Hall, stated the church history.

Then all rejoined in the sanctuary for a special service of hymns, praise and testimony.

Westide’s first pastor, Hutchinson, resigned Oct. 1, 1989.

He was followed by David Montalbano, who served as pastor from April 22, 1990, until October 1995. Current Pastor Ernie Jones began his more-than-a-decade ministry as pastor in November 1997.

“He has lovingly and faithfully served for 13 years,” said Annie Lee Shaffer, charter member and ministry assistant (secretary) since 1985.

The fellowship hall was completed during the ministry of Jones, and the church began using it on May 16, 2000. The Educational Building was also remodeled that year.

For the 25th anniversary today, the church’s Hostess Committee produced a cookbook, “25 Years of Good Cooking at Westside Baptist,” which is available for $15 plus $1.50 shipping cost. Proceeds from the cookbook go to the church’s kitchen fund.

Those interested may call the cookbook committee, Diane Hughes at 241-0878, Annette Chambers at 460-4062 or Tina Wilson at 460-4063.