South Side Baptist Church, located on U. S. Highway 43 South, Russellville, Alabama, was organized on October 13, 1963 with 78 charter members.
 
Before organizing into a church, a small group of interested people met in the home of V. L. Franks on Wednesday night, July 3, 1963 for prayer service. From July 3 to August 14, 1963 the group met each Wednesday night with Jonesboro Baptist Church. In August, 1963, they rented a house south of Russellville close to where the present building now stands to use as a meeting place. The group met in the rented house for Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and mid-week prayer services until after the church was officially organized and until the present building was built. Several of the men built benches and Highsmith Funeral Home donated chairs. Bro. Cecil Robinson was elected moderator of the group.
 
On Sunday, September 22, 1963 the group voted to organize a Southern Baptist Church in the area south of Russellville. Bro. Charlie Thorn met with the group several times and helped make plans for the organizational meeting.
 
The organizational meeting was held on Sunday, October 13, 1963, with the following ministers and deacons serving as members of the organizational council: Bro. Charlie Thorn, Moderator; Bro. Charles Roth, Franklin County Associational Missionary; Bro. Terry DeFoor; Bro. Leaborn McCarley; Bro. Vachel Posey; Bro. Bennie Franklin; Bro. Lecil Scott; Bro. H. C. Hess; Bro. L. T. McDougle and Bro. Elton Amos.

The following ordained deacons served as the first deacons of South Side Baptist Church: V. L. Franks, Wesley Hill, Norvil Nix, Cecil Robinson, and J. D. Robinson.

HISTORICAL DATES SINCE ORGANIZATION

October 20, 1963 – Members voted to purchase the plot of land where the church building is now located.

March 1, 1964 -- Bro. Charlie Thorn was called as the first pastor.

April 19, 1964 -- Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the building site. Bonds were sold to finance construction of the building

September 13, 1964 -- The sanctuary had been completed and was dedicated to God. Dr. George Jackson was the dedication speaker.
 
Bro. Charlie Thorn resigned as pastor on June 14, 1970.

Bro. Bob Burton served as supply pastor for a few months and was then called to serve as pastor on October 11, 1970. He was pastor until January 19, 1975.

Interim pastor was Dr. J. O. Colley.

Bro. Carlton Brank was pastor from June 1, 1975 until August 15, 1976
 
Dr. J. O. Colley again served as interim pastor.

Bro. Dean Timbes was pastor from December 6, 1976 until May 30, 1982. During this time the educational building was built. Dedication services for the educational building were held on September 10, 1978.

Interim pastor was Bro. L. T. McDougle

Bro. Carl Nuss was pastor from November 7, 1982 until February 1985.

Interim pastor was Bro. Olan Burcham.

Dr. Ed Richards was pastor from August 5, 1985 until August 14, 1988.

Interim pastor was Bro. Ed McCollum.

Bro. Harvey Jennings was pastor from January 1989 until his death May 14, 1995.

Interim pastor was Bro. Jim Johnson.

Bro. Bill Anderson was pastor from February 1996 until August 2000.
 
Interim pastor from August 2000 until December 2003 was Bro. Elvin Liveoak.
 
Bro. Mark R. Smith was pastor from March 2004 until January 2007.

For over 40 years, South Side Baptist Church has provided leadership in our association and has supported our great denomination. We look toward the future with a challenge—to continue to be actively involved in the work of the Franklin Baptist Association, the Alabama Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention and to take the Great Commission as a serious mandate from God so that we may glorify Christ in our efforts.