Church History

The illustrious history of the First Baptist Church goes back to a time in 1907 when a group of ladies became concerned about the religious life in their community. These ladies were known as the Ladies Aide Society which was composed of the following members: Mrs. S. M. Barnett, Mrs. Floreny Bradley, Mrs. W. S. Cox, Miss Lula Gladden, Miss Martha Holbrooks, Mrs. Tom Moreland and Mrs. Hardy Rhyne.

Sunday School and worship services were conducted for a period of time, in the school house located on 5^th Avenue. Later, those attending saw the need of organizing into a local church for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, The First Baptist Church was born with thirteen charter members. A gift of land from the Chatsworth Land Company, located at the corner of Cherokee Street and 3^rd Avenue, enabled the Church to start planning for a new building. A new frame building was erected and for approximately 35 years was the place of meeting for members of the First Baptist Church.

In 1940 the membership felt the need to enlarge the facilities of the Church in a growing community. It was decided to relocate the building for additional space. A Building Committee was appointed and instructed to secure a new location and building plans. The Committee selected, and the Church approved, a corner lot at Market Street and 4^th Avenue. A new brick structure was started in 1942 and in September 1943, members of the First Baptist Church moved into a new sanctuary. It was a beautiful building of Gothic design, ready to accommodate 250 people in worship.

In 1951 members of the First Baptist Church again came to realize that the present auditorium facilities, designed to last fifty years, were inadequate to accommodate the attendance and needs of our growing community. A committee was appointed to study the needs of the church. This committee was composed of R. E. Chambers, Emmett Cochran, Arnold Hufstetler and Richard Kendrick. The committee, along with the pastor, made several trips to Nashville, TN to discuss our problems and needs with members of the Sunday School Board. Since this time several other similar studies have been made relating to either the enlargement of present facilities or the erection of a new auditorium.

Through the years as progress was made, additional land was secured for future expansion. A new pastorium was built, and additional educational space was provided for the teaching and training of church membership and for the evangelization of those in the community and to the far reaches of the world.

In the March 6, 1968 church conference, the building committee, appointed earlier in 1965, was re-activated and authorized to proceed with the construction of a new sanctuary building to be located on the east side of the present sanctuary. A contract was signed with Foster & Cooper, Inc., General Contractors of Atlanta, the low bidder, to build the building.

Now, on January 18, 1970, members of the First Baptist Church, who had their beginning when a small group of women gathered in prayer and concern for the religious life in their community, will move into their third new sanctuary, abreast with the growth and expansion of beautiful Murray County. The building is designed to accommodate 600 for worship attendance plus 75 off-street paved parking spaces.

The new auditorium building is completely air conditioned; is contemporary in design with a beautiful tower whose spire ascends seventy feet upward, constantly pointing those who pass this way to our Heavenly Father and commands the attention of all.

As the Murray County Court House overlooks the city as a symbol of justice, so must the First Baptist Church ever be a reminder to the city of God’s love and mercy and His eager desire for all to come unto Him. JUSTICE and MERCY are overlooking our city.

In addition to the new sanctuary, additional facilities have been provided for educational space, a church social hall with equipped kitchen, a bride’s room, rest rooms, recreational areas, a church library, a choir room and a church parlor. The buildings have been joined with covered walkways making all areas of the building easily accessible. The church grounds have been landscaped adding to the beauty of the building.

These beautiful buildings and grounds, with all the facilities and equipment, are dedicated to the Glory of God and to the enlargement of His Kingdom’s Ministries.