The spirit is willing but the creek was cold
by
Shannon Hollon
I remember a few years ago me and my 2 boys(Justin and Jake) were baptized in Roupes creek down below the old Tannehill ironworks. Jake(6 years old at the time) asked if he could get baptized, I told him he could if he had asked Jesus into his heart.
Jakes reply was ” Daddy! I have asked Him in my heart a thousand times”….my reply “Well son I think that probably makes you a candidate for it”
It was a hot July day as the preacher led us out into the water…I never will forget when he immersed me and I came up…The preacher thought I was shouting but it wasn’t a move of the spirit but that the water was ice cold.
See all books by Donna R. Causey
ALABAMA FOOTPRINTS – Settlement: Lost & Forgotten Stories (Volume 2) – is a collection of lost and forgotten stories of the first surveyors, traders, and early settlements of what would become the future state of Alabama.
Read about:
- A Russian princess settling in early Alabama
- How the early setters traveled to Alabama and the risks they took
- A ruse that saved immigrants lives while traveling through Native American Territory
- Alliances formed with the Native Americans
- How an independent republic, separate from the United States was almost formed in Alabama
Yes.
We have used creeks rivers, lakes and ponds.
Our church uses ponds, lakes, creeks, and the babtism in the church
I was.babtized in a farm pond on sand mountain ala. 1969
My Mama & her siblings all baptized in South Sauty Creek in the Antioch community on Sand Mountain, near Fyffe, Al.
Yes they are. You can still walk up on a baptism on Canoe Creek near us. We’ve seen quite a few people dunked in that creek.
Yes 🙂
When a youngster in mid thirties to mid forties we attended several of these baptisimals. Quaint and effective. I got dunked in a proper pool in a fine old church…in my opinion, the creek method probably would have worked better on me?
Yes
I was Baptized in a creek
Romar Beach Baptist Church in Orange Beach uses the Gulf of Mexico. Paul Smith is the pastor
as long as it is running water
I remember them but nowadays they go to swimming pools and so on
Hillabee Campground Methodist Church, Tallapoosa County, has a creek with a baptising pool nearby but I doubt they use it these days…probably just sprinkle.
I have seen them in Mobile Bay.
In Kenya they sometimes have to use what we would call mud holes!!!
I’ll be baptized in Bull Mt. Creek the 26th of July !
Jimmy Bostic
I was dunked in a creek
Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River from beginning in Etowah County thru Blount County. Most popular point is behind Bethel Baptist Church in Snead.
I am 54 years old and th church my father was a preacher at th time they used ponds .
Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian in Montevallo does!
We were going to Chatahooche State Park one Sunday afternoon, and there was a baptism in a creek just before we got to the park. Of course, I don’t know the church name though.
Yes!
Yes.
Yes
Willowbrook Church has river baptisms every summer
Yes
My boy was baptized in a Georgia creek 4 years ago so I bet there are plenty in Alabama still.
The Little Cahaba River in Bibb County is used by various churches near Cahaba Valley Baptist.
Yes we still use the Little Cahaba River . Our church Cahaba Valley Baptist Church ( Founded as Carlton Hill) was founded in 1718 and the doors have never been closed. We are few in numbers but the Lord will bring them back. We also welcome other churches that want to baptise there. We have Sunday Morning & Sunday night services. We hope that soon that we can start our Wed night service again soon.
Amen
I watched a baptism in the Black Warrior River last night. Still happening.
Vintage Faith Church, Decatur, Alabama
Yes we do! Tenneesse River alabama
Yes
I remember when creeks were used.
yes.. my cousin friend was baptized just last week in the river.
My Momma and her sibling were Baptized in Piegon Creek in that same Community name in Butler County. Yes the water is freezing cold there, too.
Yes. One of our local churchs hosts a baptism in the Alabama River.
We do at New Life Baptist Church 12th. Gadsden! 🙂
I was baptized in Tannehill creek ,it was freezing in August .
Don’t tell!!!!they will make a law against it!!!
oooon thhe 17th of may me and my daughter were baptised in the gulf at panama city beach,fl i am 79 my daughter is 54
The church I attended until a few weeks ago baptizes in the Gulf of Mexico near Inlet Beach.
Our church is located beside Cotaco creek, we have babtisms in the creek, my daughter and I were babtized in that creek.
I was baptized in Flat Rock Creek in Alabama in the sixties & my husband was baptized in a pond in Henagar Alabama in the eighties & as far as I know there are still a lot of baptizing in creeks ponds & rivers still going on!! Praise God!
Snead Alabama at first baptis
I was baptized in Dennis Drew’s pond at Rehobeth, AL in the 50’s. The pond is no longer there.
Baptized in the Tennessee River early 70’s in north Alabama.
One of the hymns which was used when a baptism was being held in the 40s and early 50s was “Shall we Gather at the River”. The creek was also used as our swimming hole and there were many Sunday afternoons the swimmers got out until the service was over and then we jumped back into the creek.
We have a road close to us called Camp Meeting Road. And the creek that runs past it is called, you guessed it…Camp Meeting Creek…I just know in my heart that they (the old timers) had big revivals and baptisms at that spot…
We do at Braggs Christian and New Bethel Baptist Churches in Braggs, Alabama.
Yes up in hazel green
Steve Victory
I was baptized in a creek in West Bend, AL (small town in Clarke County) years ago, but they don’t do that there now.
My Dad, Mom,brother and myself got baptized in a pond years ago. We held on to each other and was baptized at the exact time together! And our hymn was “As we gather at the river, the beautiful beautiful river”. Wonderfuly blessed!
Alabama River last weekend in Lowndesboro
My kids were baptized in a creek in Alabama about 7 years back . But, I think they are rare with the heated, chlorinated baptistries so comfy
Caroline Davis did a photo book on footwashings and baptisms if I remember correctly.
I remember them
My grandson, Chris Jones, was baptized in a creek a month or so ago.
FBC Pensacola has Gulf baptisms sometimes!
Carla Ann Love Tinney
Yes and cattle troughs like I was baptized in by John Love at Wewoka
They must have cleaned it up since I last saw it about 12 years sgo.
My son was baptized in 2010 in the Choctawhatchee River in Clayhatchee Alabama. He always said he would be baptized in the river and he found someone that would brave the river in October!
Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church does in Montevallo
They had one the first of summer at Wind Creek park
Not sure. Iam 62. I was Baptised @16 in a small area where hogs were watered
I was baptised in the Tennessee River in the 90’s in Scottsboro
I was baptized in a creek in taylorsville, Georgia and with my husband also. It is so natural and a great experience.
My father-in-law is 86 and was baptized in the Cahaba River on Father’s day 2015….
I do not know about baptisms but I love to swim and play in them
Shiloh Baptist Church, Fort Payne
Shepherds chapel in Gravett, Arkansas
Romar Beach Baptist Church uses the Gulf of Mexico.
I was baptized in the creek in montevallo that the big bridge goes over.on this side of hwy25
I was baptized in Anderson Creek and I wouldn’t change it for the world!
There is a church in Florence, I cannot remember the name, that holds baptisms in the Tennessee River at McFarland Park.
I have watched them in Mobile Bay in Fairhope.
First United Methodist, Brewton AL, Burnt Corn Creek, just a couple of weeks ago.
yes I know a few who will…….
I am Orthodox, and that is the preferred method- no matter where you live. Sometimes it has ice. LOL
Tannehill park in bucksville,ala.
According to Hattie Bridges baptism must be done in running water to wash your sins away.
yes they are right below my house in the creek
Kayaking on Terrapin Creek last year, I happened on a congregation gathered on a sand bar where they had a baptismal. Delightful !
I was baptized in a creek 53 years ago.
Does salt water baptism take?
Grace Baptist in Mccalla in their Lake
Yes we do, eastern Okla.
“Come on in boys, the water sure is fine!”
I was baptized in the Pacific Ocean.
Jay Stewart
Thanks for the tag Adam! The answer is Yes!
I was baptized in the cold waters of Tannehill in the park.
My brother does river baptisms all the time. Pastor Hilburn Stanley
I was baptized there many years ago.
Love that creek; took my boys there often
I was baptized in Wills Creek. This pic brings back memories.