1878 - 1900
As early as 1878, Bible Studies were held
in homes of some Baptists, and Sunday School in the old two-story frame Court
House. The First Baptist
Church was formally organized on January 25, 1880. There were
eighteen charter members, and to date twenty-six ordained ministers have served
as pastor.
Before the end of 1880, the contract was
let for a house of worship on Ryan
Street at the corner of Iris Street. The total cost was $3,000
and newspapers reported it to be the most beautiful building in the city. Six new members joined the first year,
five by letter and one by baptism. By 1897 the membership was 154 and the
Sunday School enrollment was ninety-five. First Baptist Church was one of the six
charter churches when Carey Baptist Association was organized in November 1892.
1900 - 1950
A historic moment for First Baptist
Church was on February 12, 1908 when the
cornerstone for the "new" church building located on the 
corner of Hodges and
Pujo streets was laid. This building was of brick in a modified Gothic style
with a seating capacity of 700. There were beautiful stained glass windows and
a stained glass skylight. The building was dedicated April 24, 1910. This was the day after the
historic fire on Ryan Street
that destroyed the Court House, and would undoubtedly have destroyed the new
church building if it had been built at the site of the original building.
In mid to late 1940s, definite plans were made to enlarge facilities. A two-story educational building on the west side of the sanctuary was planned. During World War II, when all construction had to be postponed, $75,000 was accumulated in the building fund. Groundbreaking for this first educational building was in early 1949. The building was completed in 1950.
In February 1953, a major building fund drive was launched for a structure which was planned to house a new sanctuary and additional educational building. October 1954 saw the completion of this educational building which was three stories high. The front of the building bears the inscription from II Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." The Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, Library, and many classrooms were included in this complex, which cost over $300,000.
1950 - Present
The old auditorium was demolished in
August 1955 and the congregation held services in the fellowship hall until the
new sanctuary was constructed. Groundbreaking ceremonies for this building were
held December 4, 1955. Formal dedication of the new building was held October 16-20, 1957 with a five-day program of
services. Former pastors and Southern Baptist Convention as well as Louisiana Baptist
Convention leaders participated in this event with the laying of the
cornerstone on Sunday afternoon, October
20, 1957.
Because of continued growth in church membership and a desire to provide better facilities for the youngest segment of our church family, in June 1960 the Church voted to begin a Nursery Education Building Program. In October 1962 groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the $490,000 building. The building was dedicated on August 18, 1963. At this time a gym was also added onto another building.
In our vision to continue reaching our
community for Christ, our "Preparing for the Future-Now is the Time" campaign
was begun in 1994. Funds were used to renovate our worship center and build a Family Ministry
Center west of the
present educational facilities. The lovely facility was completed and dedicated
on Sunday afternoon, January
26, 1997. Following the completion of the Family Ministry
Center renovations to the
Old Fellowship Hall were made to provide more space for Sunday School. The
total cost for this entire project was approximately $3,000,000.
Mission churches started by First Baptist
Church have been Second Baptist Church (Calvary), Eastdale Baptist Church,
Baghdad Road Church (Westlake First), and Ford Street Mission.
Through the years as the vision continues, we look forward to how God will continue to move throughout the various ministries offered here at First Baptist Church.
