Throughout the years both Bryant and Feagin have watched the church grow with more than 300 members and 100 in regular attendance each Sunday.

“We have taught the love of Jesus and how to cooperate with one another and because of that, we are a church family here,” Feagin said. “We have had our ups and downs, but we have been able to overcome and care for one another.”

Bryant started attending the church as a child with his parents and was baptized in a pond down the street from Morning Star.

“When I started going to church we had about 50 people coming for church,” Bryant said. “There was a Lutheran church that met across the street from our church and if we opened the windows you could hear them singing from their church at the same time.”

The Rev. Cecil Nix Jr. became the pastor of Morning Star in December 2012 and has enjoyed seeing the church grow during his time as pastor.

“I have seen the excitement that the word of God brings to people,” Nix said. “My greatest enjoyment is teaching. We do other things too such as preaching and singing, but teaching is my greatest joy because you can instruct people and fill people with knowledge so they are able to help themselves.”

Although Nix still considers himself to be a “new” member at the church, he grew up in Maplesville and associated with many of the members at Morning Star throughout his life.

“I have known most of the people in this area for a long time,” Nix said. “The current challenge of our church is that we have to be at our very best for those who are seeking a church home. When the church is as it should be, the people can be fulfilled.”

Nix said Sunday’s event will feature the Rev. R.W. Davis and Mt. Olive Baptist Church who will bring members from his congregation to preach and sing.

“We will also be having a good fellowship time where we will reflect on our church history,” Nix said.

The church is located at 4946 County Road 76 in Clanton.

The church will also host a revival service Oct. 22-24 at 7 p.m. each night with the Rev. Walter Ellis from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Montgomery as the evangelist for the week.