On Sunday, Ordelheide not only had a chance to celebrate a church milestone, but had an opportunity to go down memory lane. From baptisms to marriage, Ordelheide's life has evolved since she first started attending the church when she was 9. Forty-nine years later, her Sunday mornings have yet to change. "Our whole life has been centered around this church," she said. Ordelheide knows that better than many. Now 57, she and her kids were all baptized there. She was married in the church. She's even had to go through the heartbreaking process of burying a daughter. Sunday marked a day of celebration for Ordelheide and other church members. First Baptist Church observed its 150th anniversary with a luncheon between worship services. Every Sunday since 1858, traditional organ music and hymns have filled the church with sweet sounds. The quaint church located at Hedeman Avenue has been a gathering place for families to come together and worship. Margaret Copling, a longtime member, grew up south of town but eventually got married and moved to St. Louis. Later, after moving back to Wright City, she and her family were trying to find a church to attend and a place for her two young boys to grow up. First Baptist Church filled that void. "It's small enough that you know everybody," Copling said. The church, which has been located at its present location since 1966, has undergone many changes since it was organized in 1858 under the leadership of Elder Joseph Niccales, a native of England. According to church history, the first building was destroyed during the Civil War, burned by Union Militia who believed it was a rallying place for Confederates. The second building, built in 1870, had to be moved for what is now known as Interstate 70. The third building built on the same land where the present church sits was replaced for a larger facility to accommodate a growing congregation. In 1968, the church welcomed Pastor Werner Strick, who stayed at the church for 39 years until his passing. Strick's widow, Joy, attended Sunday's services, the second time she has returned to her roots since moving to Lebanon. "The church is very friendly, a nice church," Joy Strick said. After a long transition period following the passing of Strick, First Baptist Church has been re-energized with the arrival of Pastor Chad Hodges. Since June, when Hodges, a young pastor from the DeSoto area, took over the ministerial duties, the church has seen its congregation nearly double. On Sunday morning, Hodges said attendance was well over 100. He expected another 65-70 people to show up for the second service, which was held in the afternoon rather than its usual evening start time. He hopes to increase to a 200-member average on a weekly basis. If the congregation continues to expand from there, long-range plans include the possibility of a 500-seat worship center. Hodges pointed out he's not the reason for the recent increased attendance, but a fresh excitement has engulfed church members who have accepted and are thrilled to see the congregation get younger. "This church is dedicated to the Word of God," Hodges said. "What we are developing as our slogan is 'focused on the Word, focused on families, focused on you.