OUR STORY

On the last weekend of May 1953, Reverend Harry Haynes held a revival at Norwood Park in Anniston.  From the revival, interest in starting a new church soon turned into a discussion among several Christians living in and around the Norwood community.  Enthusiasm built as twelve people met together on July 3, 1953, at the home of J.H. Holloway at 2631 McCoy Street to discuss organizing a Baptist church in the community.  When they adjourned, Norwood Baptist Church had been established.  Haynes was called as pastor on July 16th and the first services were held in the Holloway’s home.  In the fall, services were moved to Norwood School.  In August, land was purchased and groundbreaking was held for a building located at 2900 Moore Avenue.  The church grew rapidly; and in December of 1968, a bond program was initiated in order to raise funds for a new sanctuary and educational space. Construction began in January 1969 and was completed in July of that year.

 

On February 3, 1991, the church elected a committee to study the merits of relocation.  In April of 1991, the Calhoun Baptist Association completed a survey and suggested four sites for possible relocation. The church entered Challenge to Build and later purchased the property at 41 State Farm Road in January 1992. In August, the church voted to change its name to Westwood Baptist Church because the new facility would be located approximately one-half mile east of the Westwood subdivision in Alexandria. The church vacated the facilities on Moore Avenue in January 1993 and met in temporary facilities provided by Saks Baptist Church until the first service was held in the new building on July 4, 1993.

 

Over the years, Westwood has grown and continued to add building space as needed. In October of 1997, the church entered a building program in order to add the Christian Life Center facility with additional educational space.  In October of 2004, the church held its first Global Impact Celebration as the priority of being involved in Kingdom expansion across the world took hold of the hearts of the members of Westwood.  Since that time, many Westwood members have participated in short term mission trips to the glory of God. In addition, multiple facility and site improvements have also taken place as members have participated in the Generations faith-raising campaign. Today, the plans of God for this spiritual family continue as believers depend on God and make themselves available for the advancement of His Kingdom.