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We have no record as to how the 7 acres of land and log
house were turned over to the Baptists, however, in
1831, a Baptist church was organized. Rev. James R.
Smith was the first Pastor. The first mention of
deacons being selected was in 1850. In the year 1862,
we have the first recorded offering for a Pastor. The
amount of $15.30 was received and used by Rev. H. M.
Barton to go to Virginia to preach to the soldiers
during the War Between the States.
In 1925, Rev. M. J. Stansell became Pastor and soon the
church was full time and a home was purchased on Hampton
Street. Rev. Stansell led in an era of progress. A new
brick sanctuary and Sunday School rooms were built in
1949 and soon after, a new Parsonage. During his
leadership, we grew from 200 to 700 members with an
average attendance exceeding 300.
Rev. Ralph Cowan served from 1958 – 1965 and under his
leadership, a new educational building was erected.
Also during that time, renovations were made to the
sanctuary and a new front structure, vestibule and
steeple were added.
Rev. T. Alfred Woolbright served from 1966 – 1973. The
church saw more than 400 additions to its membership
during his ministry.
Dr. Stewart B. Simms, Jr. began his ministry in 1974.
Under his leadership, the Knox & Adams property, 27
acres adjacent to the church was purchased. In 1975,
Rev. M. J. Stansell was honored on the 50th
anniversary of his call to the church as Pastor
Emeritus.
In 1978, Rev. John B. Compton, Jr. answered the call to
First Baptist where he served until his retirement in
1996. During Rev. Compton's leadership, the fellowship
hall was built in 1982. The sanctuary was refurbished
in 1992 and a larger kitchen added to the fellowship
hall.
On October 26, 1997, a Commissioning Service was held
for Pastor Mark Ford. Much improvement has been made to
the buildings, Parsonage and landscaping of the
grounds. Ministries were begun for all age groups and
more than 120 members were added. In May 1999, the
church body entered into agreement with the Trehel
Corporation to provide studies, master planning, &
drawings for facilities that are required for further
growth.
On May 15, 2005, Rev. M. Craig Canton was called as our
pastor and began his ministry with us on
June 15. On July 24 of that year, the church made a
Shepherd's Covenant together as pastor & people.
Under Pastor Canton's leadership, the church has
experienced an exciting addition of many members. In his
first year of ministry alone, there were more baptisms
than in the previous 37 years of the church's history.
In the first four years of Pastor Canton's tenure here,
the church has added 150 members. This growth has
required an expansion of the church's ministry
organization on the both the lay leadership and staff
leadership levels. For the first time ever, the church
was led by three full-time staff members.
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