Artistic anniversary of First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville

Preparing to mark the 150th anniversary of Pinckneyville First Baptist Church has been a nostalgic adventure into the history of the church and the many faithful members who have served and worshiped there. Members of the Sesquicentennial Committee have spent countless hours reading through old records, pouring over vintage photographs and exploring seldom-used areas of the three-story building in an effort to better appreciate church heritage. On one such recent exploratory venture, an interesting and timely discovery was made.

The FBCP Baptistry, framed by a graceful arched opening, holds a position of prominence in the very large church Sanctuary. The mural that serves as the Baptistry backdrop, however, is hidden by heavy draperies and only revealed when the Ordinance of Baptism is observed. It was while examining the Baptistry and the mural that it was discovered that an important anniversary of the completion of the mural was imminent.

The mural was painted by noted local artist and long-time member of First Baptist Church, Nevins Ware. Mr. Ware was best known to Pinckneyville residents as the manager of the P.N. Hirsch store that once occupied the Opera House on the City Square. Retail sales was his vocation, but his passion was his art and his faith. He served in many capacities at First Baptist Church, including as a deacon and a member of the choir.

Mr. Ware donated countless hours designing and painting the very large Baptistry mural. The bold colors and stylized images give the mural a contemporary edge. To ensure that boundaries of the mural are not visible from any location in the Sanctuary, the artist continued the painting up onto the curved ceiling, which soars high above the floor of the Baptistry.

Like most artists, Nevins Ware did not consider a painting finished until he had put his signature to it. The FBCP Baptistry mural is not only signed but also dated. As noted by this signature, the mural was completed on January 14, 1960 making this week the 55th anniversary of this beautiful work of art.

Pinckneyville First Baptist Church will culminate its Sesquicentennial Celebration at a special service on August 2, 2015. Everyone is invited to attend this event. To learn more about the history of FBCP and the other anniversary other events planned, visit the church Facebook page.

About Nevins Clay Ware...

<p>Nevins Ware was 89 years old when he passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2005. He was born in Bowling Green, Mo. and married wife “Gertie,” an amazing woman who supported him completely, in November1946. She passed away two years after he did, in 2007.</p>

<p>He was a member of the First Baptist Church and had served as a deacon since 1949. He served in the Air Force during World War II and managed the P.N. Hirsch store in Pinckneyville for 40 years. He was an artist who worked with oil and acrylic paints, painted landscapes and building. He loved downtown Pinckneyville. He taught art at both Rend Lake College and John A. Logan College. A great & caring man.</p>