Lights added to steeple at Baptist Church in Albion

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The 160-foot-high spire at First Baptist Church added lights about two weeks ago, and now the steeple is visible from many blocks away at night. This photo shows the spire next to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at left.

Anonymous donors paid to add lights in 12 steeple windows. Greg Smith and Richard Neal from the church installed the lights.

The church was built in 1860 at 30 West Park St. It was the tallest point in Albion until the Presbyterian Church built a 175-foot-high spire in 1875.

The Baptist church was built with Gothic elements with the steep buttresses and a tall hexagonal tower rising from the center of the front façade. It also includes Romanesque features with round-arched windows and corbel tables.

The church wanted year-round dusk-to-dawn lights in the steeple and bordering the sign at the front entrance.

“This is the first time since 1876 when Mrs. Stafford sold the neighboring property to St Joe’s that Albion First Baptist Church could easily be seen from Main Street year round!” the church posted on its Facebook page. “These lights look amazing at night! The steeple now stands out in the skyline for blocks in multiple directions! Drive by at night and check them out!”

“And, join us every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. for Worship…..we’ll leave the lights on for you!”