| |
| 1889 | First
Baptist Church was organized. April 14, as
23
persons met to establish the church. Reverend R.B. Taylor was called as
the first pastor. A church building was erected on the northwest corner
of
14th avenue and 7th street.
|
| 1893 | The church had
grown to 145
members. The Woman's
Missionary Society was organized. |
| 1896 | The first
pastorium was
built behind the church. |
| 1898 |
First Baptist
sponsored the
Wenona Baptist Church as a
mission church. |
| 1905 |
Plans
were to begin to build a new church facility on
the Northeast corner of 6th street and 13th avenue. |
| 1914 | The church was
completed
and the basement was finished.
Reverend J.H. Cain preached the first sermon in the new Church building. |
| 1920 | A building was
built on the
north side of the church.
The Sunday School enrollment was 1,000 in 1920. |
| 1927 | First Baptist
sponsored the
Northern Heights Church
(now known as Third Street Baptist Church) as a mission church. |
| 1949 | A spacious
three-story
brick building replaced the
structure built on the north side of the church. |
| 1951 | First Baptist
sponsored the
Northern Heights Baptist
Church as a mission church. |
| 1952 |
The
church sanctuary underwent an overall renovation
and redecoration project. The choir loft was placed behind the pulpit. |
| 1956 | First Baptist
sponsored the
Pinecrest Baptist Church as
a mission church. |
| 1970 |
The new
Chapel and two-story Educational Building were
built on the east side of the church. |
| 1974 | A home was
purchased for
staff members. |
| 1979 |
The Sanctuary
and the
three-story building on the north
side
of the church were completely renovated. The 90th Anniversary was
celebrated this year also. |
| 1987 |
A new
parking facility was added to the church, several
lots
on the south side of the church were purchased for this facility. |
| 1989 | First Baptist
Church
celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
The theme for the Centennial Celebration was "A Proud Past and
a A
Promising Future". To God be the glory for all He has
done and will do! |
