Deaconess Mary Ricks was recognized last week as the mother of the church at Greater First Baptist Church Orlando.

The recognition was made during the week of her 89th birthday and the church’s 90th anniversary.

Other senior members also were recognized.

Ricks recalls when the church’s second pastor, the Rev. Jason King, was pastor and the church had no inside bathrooms, running water or electricity. Members used potbelly stoves with wood and coal for heating and candles and oil lamps for lighting, she recalled.