Baptist Church 07

I don't normally collect un-used postcards. I think the charm and the personalization of a message on the back is part of the appeal of collecting. Unused postcards miss that.

But I couldn't pass up this one-of a kind real picture postcard (RPPC), which includes the newly-completed educational building on the south side of the church. It is the only view of the church that I have exactly as I remember it when I first moved to Macon in the early 1960s.

Well, not exactly as I remember it. There is one subtle difference. But I didn't notice it at first.

This picture was apparently take right after the completion of the new educational building. What a start contrast that building is! Plain, brick, void of odornment. Red brick, contrasting with the blond brick of the original building. Straight walls. Hard, right angles. Plain concrete retaining wall.

Compared to the beautiful ornate German architecture of the church, one has to wonder, "What were they thinking?" The building is functional, but it sure is architectually inappropriate.

Look above the round stained-glass window on the sanctuary building. You'll see an electric metal sign, "First Baptist Church". That sign must have been added in the 1950s. Soon after the educational building was built, the sign was moved from the sanctuary bulding to the front of the educational building. That's where it was when we moved to Macon.

Compare this picture to some of the older ones and you'll find another difference that illustrates the disappearing charm of the church beyond the additional of an electrical sign. The open windows in the bell tower have been covered over. And the presence of telphone wires through the middle of the picture is sure an interesting effect.

Some time after this picture was taken, the southwest entrace to the church was closed for good and air conditioning units were added between the buildings, just above the retaining wall.

Much later, the church apparently decided that newer addtions should retain the original German charm. A nice brick sign is now in front of the church. And the new multi-purpose addition was added a couple of years ago on the east side. The newest building actualy continues the same brick pattern and architecture of the oldest building -- a classy touch.

I can tell that at one time, this postcard was part of a photo album, since there are tape marks on the corners of the front.

Subject:	First Baptist Church
Caption:	First Baptist Church -- Macon, Mo.
Date:	unused, probably from the early 1960s
From:	n/a
To:	n/a
Message:	none
Notes:	I don't normally collect un-used postcards. I think the charm and the personalization of a message on the back is part of the appeal of collecting. Unused postcards miss that. But I couldn't pass up this one-of a kind real picture postcard (RPPC), which includes the newly-completed educational building on the south side of the church. It is the only view of the church that I have exactly as I remember it when I first moved to Macon in the early 1960s. Well, not exactly as I remember it. There is one subtle difference. But I didn't notice it at first. This picture was apparently take right after the completion of the new educational building. What a start contrast that building is! Plain, brick, void of odornment. Red brick, contrasting with the blond brick of the original building. Straight walls. Hard, right angles. Plain concrete retaining wall. Compared to the beautiful ornate German architecture of the church, one has to wonder, "What were they thinking?" The building is functional, but it sure is architectually inappropriate. Look above the round stained-glass window on the sanctuary building. You'll see an electric metal sign, "First Baptist Church". That sign must have been added in the 1950s. Soon after the educational building was built, the sign was moved from the sanctuary bulding to the front of the educational building. That's where it was when we moved to Macon. Compare this picture to some of the older ones and you'll find another difference that illustrates the disappearing charm of the church beyond the additional of an electrical sign. The open windows in the bell tower have been covered over. And the presence of telphone wires through the middle of the picture is sure an interesting effect. Some time after this picture was taken, the southwest entrace to the church was closed for good and air conditioning units were added between the buildings, just above the retaining wall. Much later, the church apparently decided that newer addtions should retain the original German charm. A nice brick sign is now in front of the church. And the new multi-purpose addition was added a couple of years ago on the east side. The newest building actualy continues the same brick pattern and architecture of the oldest building -- a classy touch. I can tell that at one time, this postcard was part of a photo album, since there are tape marks on the corners of the front.