The following is an excerpt from Rev. J. W. Joyner's book, A History of the Baptists in Butler County ( 1819-1957). Surnames have been capitalized for easier visualization.

SARDIS BAPTIST CHURCH

Sardis Church was organized in the year 1856. The presbytery in charge consisted of the following preachers: Robert KEITH, Thomas M. BRAGG, Hansel DICKENS, David KITE, and Claiborn CALLOWAY. Deacons of the the church were Claiborn CALLOWAY, and David KITE. The members were David WOOD, Josiah FRANKLIN, Thomas LOVELS, Matilda MINYARD, E. F. CALLOWAY, Sarah A. WOOD, Mary Ann FRANKLIN, Phoebe M. KEITH, Eliza LANGFORD, and Temperance CAMPBELL. The church information I have does not give the name of the clerk of the church.

Following is a list of the pastors under whose leadership a strong and useful church was built. They had a good influence over this community, county, state, and world: Rev. Robert KEITH, Mathew BISHOP, John C. R. LOCKHART, Walter T. LAWSON, T. G. LOMY, J. J. COMBIE, W. C. AVANT, Ervin TAYLOR, W. G. COOPER, A. T. SIMS, Ned SIMS, FOLMER, A. C. SHELL, Will DAVIDSON, B. M. BARNETT, R. T. McLEOD, W. A. GAUGH, J. A. FORTNER, A. W. PARKER, Ira HARRIS, AND SPEARS.

This church was first associated with the Alabama Association. Later it belonged to the Zion Association. When the Butler Association was organized in 1903, Sardis gave her full support to the new Association and has delighted in entertaining the Association a number of times.

From the following, from the minutes of a conference held on December 19, 1857, it will be seen that in the early days of this church strict discipline was exercised by the church over her members. "Two male members stated to the church that they had been guilty of intoxication, and since they showed a spirit of repentence, the church forgave them on condition they would never do so again." However, less than a month had passed before one of these men was again intoxicated, and in the January 17, 1858, conference he was charged with drunkenness, profanity, and falsifying his promise to the church. Two brethen were appointed to see that the offender be present at the next conference. He was, and acknowledged the charge as true, but the church was divided as to what to do with him -- forgive him and keep him, or turn him out. The case was held open until next conference, but in this same conference four others were charged with drunkenness, fighting and gambling.

In conference on March 20, 1858, all five of these brethen were expelled from the membership of the church. It seems that the church in her early days intended to keep the unclean and evil from her midst. The old minutes show that members were dealt with on such matters as putting dags to chasing hogs, directing some to a neighbr's watermelon patch, dancing and attending dances.

The membership of this church has been high as three hundred, but at this time the membership is sixty-eight. The cause of the decline in membership is economic, as stated in another chapter in this history.

Sardis Baptist Church was organized September 20, 1856. John William Halso gave the land for the building, also the one room school house that stood where the tables are now, on south side of church.

The first Church building was torn down and the present building erected in 1918. John William Halso had a great part financially in this new Building and lived to see it completed.

In 1924 an office, four Sunday school Class rooms, and a large assembly room was built on to the back of Church building. The Church appointed a committee, John William Hickman Chairman, to have the school house torn down and the lumber used to build a garage near the Pastorium for Pastors to use. Rev. W. L. Spears was Pastor at this time.

This church building is fifty (50) years old, and in good condition. Worship services are held each First and Third Sundays in the month.

The present Pastor Rev. McClain was called, and under his supervision, a new top has been put on, painted inside and outside, a complete new floor, carpet on isles, front, pulpit, and choir loft, also new chairs bought for choir. New Pulpit Chairs made in Pelham-Shell Factory, Montgomery, AL and given by George Daniel Shell Sr.(a great grand¬son of John William Halso) in memory of his Father and Mother, Edward Marvin Sr. and Iona Damaris Hickman Shell.

The Communion Table made and given by George Daniel Shell Sr., with a Bronze Placard placed on end of table, in memory of Samuel Aaron Sr., and Elizabeth Jane Halso Hickman, by Hickman Re-union in 1962.

The Samuel Aaron Hickman Descendants meet here on 2nd Sunday in May each year for a short period of worship and a Re-union.

A dedication Service, for all the new improvements to the church was held on "Home Coming Day" the First Sunday in August conducted by Richard Harold Wood (a grandson of Margaret Elizabeth (Betty)Hickman O'Farrell Wood) August 1954.

Source of Information: Sardis Baptist Church Minutes, years 1856, 1918, 1924, and 1968, compiled by - Zula Elizabeth Hickman Kennedy Andress, Pigeon Creek, Butler County, AL.