In 1949, Myers Park Baptist Church stood at a crossroads of vision and action. With its sanctuary still under construction and its ministries expanding, the congregation embraced a year of bold commitments and compassionate outreach. From launching a major fundraising campaign to welcoming refugee families and nurturing young minds through education, the church embodied a living faith that reached both inward and outward. This pivotal year laid physical and spiritual foundations that would shape its legacy for generations to come. 

A Bold Vision for the Future 
The year 1949 was marked by bold commitments and compassionate action at Myers Park Baptist Church. On a Sunday evening, the congregation set a new goal: to raise $225,000 over the next fifteen months. These funds would ensure the completion of the sanctuary and enable the construction of a new preschool building, thereby nurturing both worship and education for future generations. Most visibly, the dream of a permanent sanctuary came closer to reality. With unanimous approval, the congregation awarded the building contract to Blythe & Isenhour, moving forward on a structure that would cost between $650,000 and $675,000. Gifts of an organ, tower chimes, hymnals, and more enriched the vision. 

Extending Hospitality Across Borders 
The church extended its vision far beyond its own walls. In a unanimous vote, the congregation resolved to welcome not just one but two families from war-torn Europe—the Vitols and the Burvis families—joining earlier efforts to sponsor the Kaminin family. This act of hospitality was rooted in faith and fellowship, with every member called to share in the responsibility. They quickly mobilized to provide housing, furniture, and appliances, embodying the gospel through tangible care. 

A Legacy of Christian Education 
Within the church’s own ministries, growth abounded. Under the leadership of Mary Lee Eakes, the Elementary Education program flourished, reaching record attendance and shaping the faith of the youngest members. Though her tenure concluded in 1949, her work laid a foundation for continued excellence under the guidance of her successor, Miss Nan Leonard, graduate of Yale University.

National Recognition for Faithful Innovation 
The wider Christian community also took notice. The respected religious journal, Christian Century, featured Myers Park Baptist as a model for how a church could embody “family education.” This recognition affirmed that the church’s witness was not only local but international in scope.

In 1949, Myers Park Baptist Church embodied its mission in tangible ways. The sanctuary began to rise, children’s faith was nurtured, and the wider Christian world took notice. It was a year that reflected not only the strength of the congregation’s convictions but also its willingness to live them out—building, welcoming, and witnessing with purpose and grace.