OXFORD — A two-month exchange of roadside marquee messages between First Baptist Church of Oxford and The Bridge at Oxford has entered what communications staff for both congregations are describing as a "sensitive period," following the installation Tuesday of a new message at The Bridge that sources close to the situation characterize as escalatory.
The message, erected in 40-point black changeable letters at approximately 7:45 a.m., reads: GOD ANSWERS KNEE-MAIL. It replaced the previous message, which had read LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE PREACHER DOESN'T HAVE TO LIE AT YOUR FUNERAL, for eleven days.
First Baptist's response appeared by Thursday morning: PRAYER: THE ORIGINAL WIRELESS NETWORK.
Neither pastor was available for joint comment. Requests for a shared statement were declined by both communications offices.
"We are aware of The Bridge's recent message," said First Baptist senior pastor Rev. Donald Creech, reached by telephone. "We wish them continued success in their ministry." He paused. "We changed our sign this morning."
Pastor Brad Ellison of The Bridge at Oxford issued a written response through a church administrative assistant, noting that The Bridge's marquee messaging is part of a "broader community outreach strategy" and declining to characterize the exchange as a dispute. "We're just trying to reach people where they are," the statement read. "Highway 21 is where they are."
The two churches are separated by 0.4 miles on Alabama Highway 21, a corridor that Calhoun County planning documents describe as "commercially significant." Both congregations hold Sunday morning services at 9 and 11 a.m., with a third service at The Bridge added in 2024 following a congregational survey.
Calhoun County has an estimated 214 churches.
The current exchange began in late February, when First Baptist replaced its standard visitor-welcome placard with the message ETERNITY: SMOKING OR NON-SMOKING? Sources familiar with the sequence say The Bridge's response — WALMART IS NOT THE ONLY SAVING PLACE — appeared within seventy-two hours.
Several area residents interviewed in the Oxford Walmart parking lot said they had noticed the exchange. "I've been reading them on the way to work," said one Oxford resident, who asked not to be named. "I don't know what's happening exactly, but I've been driving Highway 21 for eleven years and I've never read the signs before."
A third church, Calvary Chapel Oxford, has a marquee visible from Highway 21. It currently reads BIBLE STUDY THURSDAY 7PM. The chapel did not return calls.
The pastoral council of the Oxford Ministerial Association, which includes representatives from both congregations, is scheduled to meet on the second Tuesday of next month. A spokesperson confirmed the marquee situation is not on the agenda.
Rev. Creech, asked whether he anticipated resolution, said he did not. "We'll keep the lights on," he said. He indicated he was satisfied with Thursday's message. "It's a good one," he said. "It tests well."
The Green Tomato will continue to monitor developments on Highway 21. The Bridge at Oxford did not confirm or deny whether further messages are planned.
