KENNESAW - In its early years, Sardis Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2741 S. Main St. in downtown Kennesaw, was often referred to as the "colored Baptist church" in the city.

Today, after recently celebrating its 130th anniversary in March, the family-based church has become a well-established and important member of Kennesaw's community. Mayor Mark Mathews signed a proclamation that declared March 21, 2010, "Sardis Missionary Baptist Church Day" in the city.

In 1880, the church was founded by Stephen Jack Talley, Alexander James Tanner and Sam Bostic, who all became deacons, according to church deeds. Many of the 300 members of the church are distantly related - as much as 50 percent of them, says Sam Davis.

"It's unbelievable," she said. "We're all related either via marriage, biological, or once or twice removed."

Davis, 53, of Marietta, was raised in Kennesaw. She's a descendent of the Talley family, who were original founders of the church. After her divorce, she moved her family from Louisiana back to Cobb in 1985, and re-established herself in the church.

"It was important to be among family and in Kennesaw, and to go back to my roots," Davis said.

Davis' mother, Lena Bacon, 70, of Kennesaw, said she has been attending the church since she was 9. She said it's a great source of pride to know that her family has played a part in something that has lasted so long.

"It's much happiness for me to know that this church has been in the same place for 130 years," Bacon said. "My forefather was one of the founders."

According to church history, Kennesaw already had a relatively sizeable black population at the time of its founding, thanks to the extension of existing railroad lines by black workers for the Western & Atlantic Railway.

The Rev. W.F. Strickland is listed as the first pastor of Sardis. The first church building and a small schoolhouse were constructed under his pastorate. The remains of which can be seen today behind what is now the church's fellowship hall. After the original church was destroyed by fire, members and friends built a new structure that was completed in 1945, under the leadership of the Rev. L.M. Buggs.

Not everyone thinks the fire was an accident. Some members of Sardis were known to be outspoken on social issues of the day.

"They thought a potbelly stove actually caught fire; but of course we think otherwise," Davis said. "We think someone actually burned the church down."

Buggs, who became pastor in 1940, grew the church's membership from 56 to 109. In 1964, the Rev. Ellis Bostic, the sixth child of founder Sam Bostic, became pastor. Under his guidance, Sardis voted to build the present church building in December 1965, according to records.

While Sardis has a long and proud history, the church is in need of growth beyond its founders' descendants, said current pastor, the Rev. James G. Wright Jr.

Since 2000, when Wright became pastor, the church has added the fellowship hall and classrooms, renovated the sanctuary, paved the parking lot, established the AWANA program children's ministry, and added new members, with about 100 being active.

However, Wright said there is more potential for growth.

"It's a family oriented church. The descendants of the founders are still in position," Wright, 52, said. "That kind of keeps us from growing a lot. I'd like to see it grow more."

After surviving 130 years, Wright said he envisions the church expanding for another decade or two.

"We hope to possibly outgrow this location and move to another where we can add maybe a gymnasium or some other facility the community can benefit from," Wright said. "But, definitely, we want to remain out this way in Kennesaw."