HISTORY OF
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
The First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton was organized in 1851 with 21 members. The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. M. Webb. The first building of the church was located near the present site of Saint Francis Episcopal Church. The first building was used until 1881 when a new building was placed on the present site. This was the first brick church in the county and was built at a cost of $3,425 for the lot, the building, and the furniture. The membership of the church was approximately 119.
In 1915, the church purchased a house for the pastor at a cost of $2,107.07. In 1923, another building was erected on this present site.
Our church was, and still is, very mission-minded. In 1922, our first foreign missionary, Miss Alda Grayson, went to serve the people of China for the Lord.
In 1941, a disastrous fire (five days after Christmas) destroyed the Sanctuary, an estimated loss of $50,000. A new Sanctuary was occupied on Sunday, September 1942. On January 3, 1943, the Sanctuary was dedicated and the note was burned. In the 1940’s, the church was very active in educational programs and music programs. The church also helped to provide a Bible teacher for the public schools in conjunction with assistance from other churches.
In 1946, a pipe organ was installed at a cost of $6,295.81. In 1954, a three-story educational wing was added to the rear of the present Sanctuary. This structure was built at a cost of approximately $40,000.
In 1974, the Sanctuary was refurbished with new pews, new pulpit furniture, and new carpet. In addition, the fellowship hall and kitchen, which were located under the Sanctuary, were renovated during this time. Property adjacent to the church on the south side was acquired and this later became a place for the memorial garden and two parking lots in the early 1980’s.
The Sanctuary was renovated and the choir-pulpit area was expanded during the years of 1991-92. In addition, the pipe organ was renovated and enhanced. A major building project was undertaken in February 1995 and completed in June 1996. This involved renovation of the educational wing and the establishment of a new parlor and kitchenette.
A new addition of 8,140 square feet was constructed in 1996 to house a new office complex, a conference room, a new fellowship hall/family life center, a commercial kitchen, and an elevator. This project also provided 5,000 square feet of covered parking.
The church enters the new millennium with a membership of over 600 and with strong WMU, Brotherhood, Sunday School, and Church Training organizations. The church continues to be very mission-minded with various individuals going to countries around the world to do volunteer mission work and volunteers going throughout the United States to do mission work. The vision for the church is to continue to reach out and fulfill the Great Commission.