Springfield Missionary Baptist Church to host free health fair in Millbrook

Springfield Missionary Baptist Church drew Millbrook residents to Deatsville Highway on Saturday for its third annual Community Health Fair, offering free screenings that could flag problems before they turned into emergencies.

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church and included no-cost blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, diabetes screenings and dental screenings. Free snacks and drinks were available, along with activities for all ages, giving families a chance to stop in without the pressure of a formal clinic visit.

Organizers Denise Riley Mitchell and Cynthia Crosby Williams centered the fair on preventive care and routine screenings, aiming to give people a practical way to check key health numbers in one place. That kind of low-barrier access matters in Millbrook, where community spaces like churches often serve as trusted entry points for health education and referrals.

The fair came at a time when access to regular care remains uneven for some Autauga County residents. U.S. Census Bureau estimates put Autauga County’s population at 61,920 on July 1, 2025, while Millbrook’s population was estimated at 17,623. Census data also show that 8.2% of Autauga County residents under age 65 were uninsured in 2020-2024, a reminder that free screenings can fill a gap for people who may not have a regular doctor.

Residents who needed follow-up care had a local option in Prattville. The Autauga County Health Department offers clinical services including STD testing and treatment, family planning, childhood and other vaccines, and breast and cervical cancer screening. For people whose fair screening raised a concern, that office can provide a next step closer to home.

The health fair also fit into a broader pattern in Alabama, where faith communities have been used as public-health partners. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has pointed to Auburn University Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Live Well Faith Communities effort, a nine-week health-promotion initiative launched in 14 faith communities across eight counties with obesity prevalence above 40%.

For Millbrook and the surrounding area, the fair offered a simple message: a church event can also serve as a first line of defense for catching health problems early. Residents seeking more information could call the church at (334) 290-5181.