History

On December 11, 1842 seven Baptist women and a few men met to organize what they called a Baptist Conference.  On that same day, as a declaration of their principles, the Articles of Faith and Covenant were adopted and the Conference proposed to seek recognition as a Baptist Church.  The first Pastor called by the congregation was Elder J. C. Holt in 1843.  He served only part time, later sharing the pastorate with Elder Hunt, neither of whom served very long or with any degree of regularity.

There is no record of the construction date of the first brick building that housed the church, but in February 1851, we find the members “assembled in the basement of the church”.

The church continued having services until January 19, 1862, when the great Civil War took its toll on the lives of the people.  We find no record of any church meeting from 1862 to 1865.  After the Civil War the church life was resumed.

During the 1890′s, since membership was growing, the congregation began thinking of a new church building and after calling Rev. Enoch Windes as pastor in 1898.  It was agreed by the members that the new structure should be built on the same location as the old.  In eighteen months the members were worshiping in the new sanctuary, though it was not completely finished.

On Sunday, February 14, 1943, the church observed its Hundredth Anniversary with a simple but impressive ceremony.  The pastor, Rev. O. E. Bryan, Jr., reviewed briefly the highlights of the church’s history and read the scripture, Acts 28:22, which was read at the Conference Meeting of December 11, 1842 when the founding of the church was discussed.

In 1951-1952, during the pastorate of Rev. Roy W. Babb, a large two-story brick building was erected for use as an educational center on a lot adjacent to the church where the old pastorium had previously been located.  A new pastorium was soon built on Porter Street, but has since been sold.  In November, 1955, a large old fifteen room brick house which joined the church property now First Avenue, Southwest, was purchased and was used for additional Sunday School Classrooms for several years.  It was demolished in 1967 and it is on this lot that the present sanctuary is built.

In 1973, during the pastorate of Robert E. Hammer, the treasured old church building with its fine stained glass windows and unique circular pews was partially destroyed by fire.  Prior to this, however, the congregation had felt the need of a new and larger sanctuary to be build in the near future and the extensive fire damage prompted immediate action.  In November 1975, when the church was completed, a special service was held on Sunday, November 23, dedicating this new structure to the glory of God, with the Rev. Roy W. Babb as the guest speaker.  He reminded the church of this long and interesting history, of the courage and stamina of a spiritually minded people and of the challenges and hopes that lie ahead.

 A challenge to build campaign was entered into August 12, 1984 to build additional Sunday School space and a new fellowship hall on the west side of the sanctuary.  Construction was completed on September 8, 1985.

Winchester First Baptist Church continues to thrive and to grow. The fellowship is sweet and the love is evident among God’s people.