Concord Baptist Church stands on Lee Road 251 in Salem, Alabama, near Smiths Station and just off Highway 280 between Opelika and Phenix City. Organized in 1835, it is known for a Sunday worship service that blends contemporary songs with well-loved hymns, follows biblical text through expository preaching, and makes room for children, students, adults, families, and volunteers serving the surrounding community.
A Salem Legacy Beginning in 1835
Concord Baptist Church was organized in September 1835 under a brush arbor near a small house built by James Marshall, an Indian chief. Reverend Frank Callaway was the first minister. Initial male members included Lodwick Matthews, Elija Nix, William Ragsdale, Joseph Blackman, Mr. Baker, Mr. Ellis, and Willis Cox, and the wives of the first four were also members. The earliest graves at Concord date to 1835. Two land gifts in 1841 added seven acres: two from Ann Plamer on May 1 and five from Lodwick Matthews on August 5.
Concord entered the Liberty (East) Baptist Association in 1838. In 1845, it and 20 other churches withdrew to form the Tuskegee Association. The name Concord means unity, and for more than 190 years the congregation has pursued unity around one purpose: sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and seeking to become more Christlike in daily life.
- 1836: The first church building was completed.
- 1840: A 40-by-40-foot church building was completed.
- 1900: Weekly Sunday School began.
- 1926: A cement baptismal pool was constructed at the spring behind the church.
- 1928 and 1935: Construction began on a new sanctuary, and its cornerstone was laid on October 6, 1935.
- 1948: Construction began on an educational wing and on-site parsonage.
- 1960: A two-story educational building and fellowship hall were constructed.
- 1987: The current sanctuary was dedicated on May 17.
- 2001: The Family Life Center was dedicated on November 4.
Sunday and Wednesday Set the Rhythm
Sunday begins at 9:45 a.m. with CBC Kids Small Groups, CBC Students Bible Study, and adult Bible study groups. At 11:00, the congregation gathers in the sanctuary for worship while Kingdom Kidz provides a separate children's service in the Family Life Center. Nursery care is available during the main worship hour, and families may also keep children with them in the sanctuary.
Wednesday's rhythm starts with a free dinner at 6:00 p.m. At 6:30, Xtreme Kidz meets for children in pre-K through fifth grade, CBC Students gathers, and adults meet for prayer and Bible study in Adult 2 in the Family Life Center. The adults begin with the church prayer list, spend time praying for one another, and then hear Pastor Jarrod teach from Scripture.
Several adult small groups meet Sundays at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., and one meets every other Friday at 7:00. These groups are multigenerational, meet on or off campus, and often share a meal while studying God's Word with the D-Life curriculum.
What to Expect at Sunday Worship
Concord's worship blends contemporary songs with well-loved hymns. Preaching is expository in nature, allowing the biblical text to speak for itself and be applied to listeners, and most sermon series move through an entire book of the Bible from beginning to end. A typical service begins with singing, continues with the study of God's Word, and concludes with a response. Services typically last about 75 minutes.
Everyone is welcome at the 11:00 service. Children may remain with their families, use Kingdom Kidz, or be cared for in nursery. A room immediately outside the sanctuary, reached through the double doors at the back on the right, carries a live stream for parents who need to step out. Worship is also livestreamed on YouTube.
A First Visit to Concord
On Sunday mornings, greeters stand in front of the sanctuary and in the Family Life Center lobby to help guests find their way and answer questions. Visitors will not be asked to stand, introduce themselves, or participate more than they wish. The congregation ranges from jeans to dress clothes, so the church's guidance is simply to come as you are. Ushers sit in the rear of the sanctuary, and restrooms are through the door to the left of the stage, directly across the hall.
Concord is just off Highway 280 between Opelika and Phenix City, near Smiths Station. From Opelika, drivers head east toward Phenix City and turn left onto Lee Road 251; from Phenix City, they head west toward Opelika and turn right onto Lee Road 251. The Church Center app provides group information, the church calendar, event registration, directory access, and online giving. Giving is also available through the church's online giving option.
Children at Every Stage
Children from birth through fifth grade gather for age-appropriate Bible teaching and activities in the secure kids wing at 9:45. Every child is checked in at the welcome desk, and the team escorts first-time guests to the right room. Background-checked volunteers care for the children, and parents also take part in their own small groups at the same hour.
Kingdom Kidz meets in the Family Life Center at 11:00 for children in kindergarten through third grade. Its lessons combine worship, games, hands-on activities, and Bible teaching designed for their age. Nursery care serves children from birth through kindergarten. On Wednesdays, Xtreme Kidz welcomes children from pre-K through fifth grade at 6:30 for worship, Bible study, recreation, crafts, seasonal activities, and field trips. Vacation Bible School and summer camp add more opportunities for children to learn about Jesus and build friendships.
The Student Ministry Team leads small groups, mentors teenagers, and works to create an environment where students can grow in faith and friendship. For younger families, Upward Sports provides a church-based sports outreach in which volunteers coach, referee, work concessions, and handle setup and cleanup.
Students and Adults Grow in Community
Concord's adult ministry centers on Bible study, multigenerational small groups, and relationships that carry faith into homes, workplaces, and daily life. The D-Life groups include the Clark, Barrow, Warnberg/Bragg, Motycka, and Coulter/Vann groups, with regular gatherings at homes and other off-campus locations as well as on campus. Members study God's Word and share meals together, with groups meeting weekly or every other week.
Several weekly classes meet around the church. Leigh Powell leads a coed class on the second floor above the offices using Lifeway's Masterwork curriculum. Pastor Jarrod's class in the same building follows Lifeway's Gospel Project, while G.W. Evans leads an Explore the Bible class in the Family Life Center. Jamie Musgrove's class also meets in the Family Life Center with a rotating schedule, and Sid Harden teaches an Explore the Bible class in the office building. Mary Jayne Rudd leads a women's class using the Women After God's Own Heart curriculum.
Other recurring gatherings include v8 Ladies' Exercise at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, the Woman's Missionary Union at 9:30 a.m. on second Tuesdays, pickleball at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Next Steps for widows at 9:30 a.m. on third Tuesdays, and regular food, fellowship, and conversation through the Young at Heart senior adult ministry.
Serving Through Practical Teams
Concord organizes volunteering around practical church needs. The Baptism Team prepares the baptistery and assists candidates, the Bereavement Team prepares and serves meals for funeral receptions while supporting families, the Decorating Team handles seasonal and special-event decor, and the Food Service Team cooks, serves, and cleans up for church-wide meals and gatherings.
The Kids Ministry Team serves in nursery, Sunday School, Xtreme Kidz, Kingdom Kidz, and special events. Security teammates monitor entrances and assist in emergencies. The Shower Team hosts wedding and baby showers, while the Student Ministry Team leads groups and mentors students. The Tech Team works to keep worship distraction-free and trains newcomers without requiring previous experience. The Welcome Team holds doors and helps guests find classrooms, and the Lord's Supper Team arranges the table and elements for quarterly services.
Upward Sports extends the serving pattern into the community through family outreach, with roles for coaches, referees, concession workers, and setup crews. The Amen Choir leads corporate worship and adoration through song. These ministries reflect Concord's stated aim of using individual gifts in service that honors God, supports the church, and builds deeper relationships within the body.
Belief, Discipleship, and Mission
Concord exists to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Its statement of faith is the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, and the church describes itself as Southern Baptist. The Bible is God's Word and guide for faith and life; there is one God who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and through his life, death, and resurrection, believers are forgiven and made new.
The church exists to worship God, grow together in faith, and share the hope of the gospel with the world. Concord practices believer's baptism and observes the Lord's Supper as reminders of Christ's work. Its mission includes knowing and loving God through worship, Christ-centered preaching and teaching, prayer, and engagement with God's Word; growing in community through Bible study groups and multigenerational gatherings; and sharing the gospel with neighbors while giving to missions in the country and around the world.
The Fivefold Disciple framework calls each disciple to be five things:
- A worshiper
- A family member
- A servant
- A steward
- A messenger
Concord Baptist Church's life in Salem ties its 1835 beginning to a community that still gathers to worship, study, welcome families, equip disciples, share meals, and serve neighbors in the name of Christ.