Published: September 11, 2009 11:26 pm      

100 years of fellowship

Westwood Baptist church celebrates homecoming

WESTWOOD — With plates piled with pulled pork, people with a personal connection to Westwood Enterprise Baptist Church kicked back in lawn chairs and watched the children play Friday evening as they gathered for their house of worship’s 100th homecoming.

“We’re good Baptists, if there’s food there’s fellowship,” said Pastor Michael Locklear as a youngster declared her faith and sprinted full-speed toward a nearby inflatable structure. “There is a bond here.”

The annual homecoming is always an anticipated weekend, Locklear said, projecting the congregation will likely be around 300 strong for the Sunday morning service. The church averages about 150 people for a typical Sunday service, he said, and there is probably enough room to accommodate 500 brethren if anyone wants to join them for the special weekend.

Locklear said Westwood Enterprise Baptist was officially born 100 years ago, adding Roy Salmon will read a brief, although comprehensive history of the church Sunday morning. In those early days, church services were conducted there only once a month on Saturday evening and the following Sunday morning, following the schedule of a circuit preacher who made his way from church to church.

“They started with just a handful of people,” said Locklear, who believes he is the 21st pastor to serve the congregation in Westwood. Originally from Woodhaven, Mich. Locklear and his wife Beverly have been at the church in Westwood for more than 11 years, and have raised their children Sarah, 10, and Caleb, 9, while living here.

With many people ready to share memories related to their home church this weekend, Locklear said all of the music will be presented by Doug Little, “a gifted musician who grew up in this church.”

A “Gaither style” singing will be the focus of this evening’s gathering, the pastor said, explaining many chairs have been set up at the front of the auditorium and church members have been polled to pick their favorite selections “from the old hymnal.”

“They’re going to go back and sing some of the old songs they used to sing that aren’t sung today for whatever reason,” he said.

As part of today’s musical offering, the congregation will join their voices for a rendition of the song “Living By faith,” which was once the tune used as a signal to start their weekly radio broadcast.

People will begin gathering inside the church at 9 a.m. Sunday to look at old photos and share memories before a special service at 10 a.m., the pastor said.

Bill Little, 78, of Raceland said he started attending Westwood Enterprise Baptist in 1963, largely because that is where his wife, Joyce, and her family worshipped.

“This church had a real outlook — a vision, and a large youth group and it was active in the community,” Little said, later stressing the community involvement aspect of the church has been precious to him personally.

Joyce Little, 73, wasted no time when asked why the church is special to her.

“Because it is like family,” she said.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.