While it seems like every small town in East Texas has always had a First Baptist Church, there is a brief time when Jefferson didn’t have one. But a Saturday in March in 1855 changed all that.
Originally organized as “Missionary Baptist Church” on Saturday, March 24, 1855, at Union House, City Park (now Lion’s Club Park), today’s First Baptist Church was born.
Wednesday night, members, friends, and guests gathered to celebrate FBC’s 166th Birthday with songs written by member W.E.Penn, and snippets of the Church’s history as told by it’s members over the decades.
Student Minister Joseph Allen opened the celebration services for Pastor Jeff Taylor who is still recovering from COVID-19.
“We’re excited you’re here and we’re excited about the fellowshipping and praising the Lord on this special occasion,” he said.
David Snellgrove started the history with a recap of Jefferson’s founding via it’s first Postmaster in 1830 and by 1855 a “Baptist church was established. The Episcopalians and Methodists were already here.” Founding members of the church were Eliza Jolly, Catherine Crawford, F.T. Harris, Martha Harris, Williamson M. Freeman, Lucy E. C. Freeman, Drucilla Freeman, Virginia C. Hobdy, Lotty Cotton, and Cyrus Cotton, and the original covenant establishing the church was read.
From there the key moments in FBC history was recounted by W.E. Penn (played by Jimmy Moore), Pastor S.A. Hayden (Joseph Allen).
First Baptist has hosted various meetings important to Southern Baptists, including the Southern Baptist Convention of 1874, which was the largest meeting ever held by that body west of the Mississippi River at that time.
Today’s Women’s Missionary Union grew out of the Ladies Mite Society and the Ladies Aid Society – all with ties to Jefferson. Even today’s Baptist Standard grew out of people associated with First Baptist Jefferson.
The current structure was built in 1946 on the location of the original church built in 1869 and destroyed by fire in 1944.
Soda Lake Baptist Association’s retired director Randy Babin discussed FBC’s part in helping establish SLBA and their continued support.
Just as Jefferson has a long history, First Baptist Church of Jefferson is no different, and today continues to be an integral part of the city and Marion County.
Those interested in a full history of the church can purchase a book, First Baptist Church, Jefferson, Texas, 1855-1985 by Lucille Blackburn Bullard from the church offices.