History of First Baptist

In about 1845, God instilled into the hearts and minds of some of his faithful followers to erect for themselves and their Families a place of worship. For about seven years they met in private homes. In 1852, they became known as the Free Will Baptist Church and erected a frame structure just west of the current church building. Ten years later in 1855 the church decided to buy a bell. Dr. William Cusick, one of the charter members, purchased this in Cincinnati. The bell was the first one in Clinton County and cost $130.00. (1856 is the date cast into the bell) Today we still use the same bell that has been ringing for more than 150 years.

The present brick building was built in 1889 and is the oldest church building in the community. The dedication of the church as in 1890 with Dr Dunn delivering the address. The debt on the church at that time was $900.00. In 1890- 91 the Ladies Sewing Circle raised $2,000.00 to construct a parsonage that set where the original frame Church Building had stood. This building was torn down some time on or before 1970. Then the existing house on the corner of Mill and Center Streets began being used as the parsonage.

Another highlight of the history of the Church was in 1913. For a number of years the Free Will Baptist and Regular (Missionary) Baptist had talked, debated and prayed on the question of the union of the two denominations. On February 9th, 1913 the church became a Missionary Baptist Church and was a few weeks later accepted into the Baptist Clinton Association. Also at this time the name "First Baptist Church was established.

The Church Building, originally just one room with a platform, in 1925 was greatly remodeled and improved with the addition of six class rooms a choir loft and a balcony. A dedication service was held November 29, 1925.

Another considerable improvement and addition was made in the mid 1940's. The present basement was excavated and constructed under the existing building. Also in about 1947 the Church withdrew from the Northern (American) Baptist Convention, the state convention and the Clinton Baptist association. The Church then came to fellowship with the Ohio Independent Association of Regular Baptist Churches. Around 1950 the Church requested and was accepted into fellowship in the General Association of Regular Baptists. (GARB)

In 1950 a concrete block structure was erected behind the Church as a bus garage. Around 1953 the present exterior "brick kote" was applied to the existing brick structure and oil furnaces were installed in the Church and parsonage. In 1956 the present concrete block addition incorporated the garage and connecting the two buildings was constructed to the rear of the Church. Also in 1956 the First Baptist Church of Roadchester, Ohio was established as a charter Church from our membership.

Awana Clubs was started as a ministry at First Baptist in 1986 In 1992 the Awana Memorial building was constructed to facilitate the Awana game time and allow an expanded fellowship area and minister to the Church and community. The Building was dedicated in Memorial to Amy Hughes and Chris Peters, both twelve years of age, killed in a car accident in August of 1987. Shortly there after the old fellowship hall was converted into the current church offices.

Easter Sunday 1998 renovations to the auditorium were completed to the present condition then a new central air conditioning system for the auditorium was installed. Also in 2002 the basement renovations were completed, transforming it into a very aesthetic and functional facility. In 2003 we started more building renovations including expanding and blacktoping the parking lots, replacing some concrete entrances and walkways. Replacing the heating system in the rear section of the church, including air-conditioning and replacing the windows.

This photo is from our attic area. It seems that Baptists have always been looking for ways to save money, in this case using boards from old circus billboards for the roof material. The bats seem to like it.

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