Renovation underway at First Baptist Church

By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT staff writer
If you've driven downtown this week, you probably noticed the construction workers at First Baptist Church of Russellville. The church is currently undergoing a major renovation in order to bring heating and cooling costs down.
The construction crew began last Monday with the demolition phase on the five-month project to renovate the sanctuary at First Baptist, Richard Parker, youth minister at FBC, said.
The ceiling will be lowered, a catwalk will be constructed, the lighting will be redone, the stage will be rebuilt – the entire space will be overhauled, Parker said.
"We have to lower the ceiling because our ceiling is the bottom of the roof and it is difficult to heat and cool this area," Parker said.
The church will have olive green carpeting, and the pews will be cushioned with burgundy fabric. The back of the baptistery will be painted so that it can be left open instead of covered with curtains.
This is the first major renovation of the space since it was built in the late 1940s.
"We've changed a few things here and there but this is the first major renovation," Parker said.
The cost of the renovations will be approximately $800,000, which will be funded through contributions to the building fund.
"The last few times we have had a project of this magnitude, it only took three years to pay for it," Parker said.
Church officials consider this renovation the last piece of the puzzle regarding their building. Their Fellowship Building was constructed in 1989.
"Once this piece of the puzzle is complete, we can turn our attention to working in the ministry," Parker said.
The congregation will meet in the Fellowship building until the renovations of the sanctuary are complete.