A new name is on the horizon for Bowmar Baptist Church.

Members polled last week voted 72 percent to 28 percent to approve changing the name of the church, one of the largest in Vicksburg, which dates to 1898.

“It’s a really exciting time for Bowmar Baptist,” said the Rev. Terry White, senior pastor. “A lot of people are energized, anticipating our new name.”

The church is in the early stages of the process, which will not be finalized for a number of months, White said. Members have been asked to submit suggestions for the new name, which will be evaluated by the congregation in several phases.

A communitywide announcement will be made when the final decision is made, White said.

Bowmar’s name change is independent of and not in response to the vote in June by the Southern Baptist Convention to allow its affiliate churches to call themselves Great Commission Baptists, he added.

Originally known as Calvary Baptist Church, the local congregation met in churches on Cherry Street and at Clay and Adams streets before dissolving and reforming as Bowmar Avenue Baptist Church in 1913, with 41 charter members, in a section of a mission building on Bowmar Avenue.

The church remained at that site until purchasing 43 acres on U.S. 61 South in 1996, where its present church and fellowship buildings were built.

White has been senior pastor since December 1991.