In May 1908, nine people met in the Decatur home of John Shelton and pledged to organize a church in the Riverside area to be known as Riverside Baptist Church.

This was after a 1906 meeting of B.F. Stanley and Frank Allen, a home missionary for the American Sunday School Union.

"Through their joint efforts, a meeting place was found in the 1200 block of South Illinois Street," according to the church history prepared by Louise Vest. "The next Lord's Day, a Sunday school was fully organized," she said. "This was the beginning of the Riverside Baptist Church."

On June 23, 1908, the pastor and members of the First Baptist Church participated in the Riverside Baptist organization service. Members of the Northern Baptist Convention came to welcome Riverside Baptist into the Springfield Association. T.J. Kellogg was named temporary pastor. There were 44 charter members.

Now, in celebration of Riverside's 100th anniversary, a program will be held today in the Nelson Park pavilion starting at 1 p.m. A catered dinner will be served at 5 p.m. More than 200 members and their families have made reservations. The city of Decatur has recognized the day with a proclamation.

The program includes a pie-tasting contest, children's activities and games, a 1908 Billy Sunday Revival dramatic reading and a message from former pastor Richard Woodworth. The For Souls Quartet will provide music.

The homecoming service is Sunday. The 10:45 a.m. message will be by former pastor Reese Johnson with music by Bob Halka. The 6 p.m. message will be presented by Pastor John Norris, who came to Riverside three years ago from Florida. The Riverside Baptist Choir, including past members, will provide the music.

Bob Fallstrom can be reached at bfallstrom@herald-review.com or 421-7981.

100-year highlights

1908: Small chapel is built in the 100 block of South Silas Street.

1916: First church orchestra is formed.

1917: Ground is broken for a church building on Jasper Street.

1926: The new church building is dedicated

1935: Church joins the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches

1937: Ethel Spitzer begins a home missions program. Her son, Ralph, still is a church member.

1944: Church members Earl and Kay Hamilton are the first foreign missionary family

1954: Helen Hall is hired as church secretary and still is a church member

1955: AWANA Club children's program starts

1950: Riverside helps start Baptist Bible Church in Decatur

1969: Riverside helps start Fellowship Baptist Church in Mount Zion

1978: Ground is broken for new church building. Estimated cost is $600,000.

1980: Riverside moves to present location at 1250 W. Mound Road

2007: Brianna Harrier wins in national Talents for Christ contest

Pastors

James Lively, 1908 to 1911

H.T. Tibbets, 1912, 4 to 6 months

A.N. Sharpes, 1915 to 1916, 4 to 6 months)

G.C. Shuka, 1917 (1 month)

Irving Fox, 1917 to 1924

Matthew Mueller, 1924 to 1928

Rev. Bell, 1928 (a few months)

Alfred Engel, 1929 to 1930 (Millikin student, became ordained while at Riverside)

E. Schute. 1930 to 1939

J.M. Carlson, 1940 to 1947

Cleveland McDonald, 1948 (three months)

George Bates, 1948 to 1963

Donald Curry, 1964 to 1967

Reese Johnson, 1967 to 1983

Richard Woodworth, 1985 to 2004

John Norris, 2005 to present.