______=Btart_pnoto by Joe Rudis_ 100 Years-of Service Commemorated | Ed Shea, executive vice-president of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, pre- | sents the Rev, Kelly Miller“@mith, pastor of the First Baptist Church, 319 Eighth Ave. N.,,with a plaque commemorating the. church's 100 years of community service. In the back- ground is a sketch of the church’s new building to be erected on the present site at 319 Church Awarded | ‘Chamber Plaque The Nashville Area Chamber!do not believe that every church of Commerce presented First/should pack up and mové to the Baptist Church, 319 Eighth Ave.. suburbs, as if God were a subur N., with a plaque last night|banite. We feel our church must lcommemorating its century of/have a creative relationsh.p with ‘service to this community. other downtown institutions.” Rev. Kelly Miller Smith, — |pastor, received the plaque from Chamber Executive Vice Presi- dent Ed Shea in a ceremony at ithe evening worship service. It was the first time in his- tory that the Nashville Area’ Chamber of Commerce had so ‘recognized a church, Shea said. | “No CHURCH in Nashville ‘nas been more instrumental in) [ \Dringing about a greater under-|}} ‘standing of people,” he said in }\making the presentation. } | Of Smith, Shea said it “No pastor has exerted more|¥ | 'statesmanship and leadership in| y undergirding the democratic) , t t pro His sincerity, dedica-|!< tion, forthright have left an in jon our communit; \“The business community |views Smith as a leader of men| and the First Baptist Church as one of the finest churches in \the city,” Shea sald. “WE SHALL treasure this) plaque and display it proudly| and conspicuously in our church,” the Rev, Mr. Smith said. in accepting the token of the Chamber's recognition. The 100-year-old church) willl bring its centennial celebration| to a close next month. Whe cele- bration has brought congratula- tory messages from President Johnson, U.S. Chief Justice Ear!) Warren, New York Sén. Robert! F. Kennedy, Tennessee 8 en 5, Ross Bass and Albert Gore, Gov. Frank Clement and Mayor Be- verly Briley. In disgussing plans for a new building) on the present site of the church, Smith said Jast » |night: “We lconsider ourselves part! of the downtown community. We and integrity St ible hallmark