'Our church will be a lighthouse': First Baptist Church of Dowell has working lighthouse 'smack dab in the middle of the yard'

Lighthouses are never specifically mentioned in the Bible (the closest mention being a "light on a hill"). However, a lighthouse shows the way and warns of danger. However, Christians are called upon to be a beacon or lighthouse so that others can see the way to eternal life through Christ.

That's the way Pastor Phillip White of the First Baptist Church of Dowell felt when he was praying one day and believes the Lord was talking to him for the church with 63 members to be a lighthouse of faith for the community and for Southern Illinois.

The plan for construction of a working lighthouse "smack dab in the front yard" of the First Baptist Church began coming together late last summer. Pastor White said, "Our church will become a lighthouse." He calls the church a "hospital for the broken"--broken lives, broken faith or broken hearts.

The tower of the lighthouse is actually formed from large wooden recycled aluminum cable spools built in Du Quoin and used by General Cable.

They are stacked three high on their side and sheathed to give the appearance of stone.

The top of the lighthouse is handcrafted with wooden dividers between the glass prisms. Lower windows in the tower are lighted. The top of the lighthouse has a working, rotating beacon that can be seen from Rt. 51 south of the community, but is built so that it does not distract drivers.

Everyone in the church either helped through their suggestions or hands-on carpentry.

The top was constructed by church member Mike White with some help from the members.

The metal cap, a perfect fit, was donated by Jack Luthy.

The lighthouse is wired to a timer that during the winter months comes on about 5 p.m. in the afternoon.

Allen Cavitt, chairman of the church deacons, credits everyone with working on the project.

Church member Wendy White says, "You see our lighthouse and it lights your way. It is the light in my darkness." In fact, in everyone's darkness.

She said as the lighthouse construction began one member was worried about it as a storm approached Jackson County and says, "He climbed all the way to the top to make sure it got covered."

Pastor White comments. "Let's not just be a church. Let us be THE church. Let's be the hospital for the broken and if they are broken let them come here."