Student Technology Leadership Program

FIRST BAPTIST

It was a beautiful day in June 1834 that 85 brothers and sisters in Christ met to establish a Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg. A three week revival was conducted in June 1834, during which time there were many professions of faith. Dr. Silas M. Noel, one of the foremost ministers of Kentucky, having been among the founders of Georgetown College, assisted in the organization of the church and preached the sermon, using as his text Acts 2:41: " Then they that gladly received the word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls." He was assisted in the organizing of the church by Rev. Jordan H. Walker and Rev. E. Duval.

The first business session was July 5, 1834, with William Hickman serving as the first church clerk. The first moderator was J. Lancaster, and the first persons to join the church were Garland Lillard, Ephriarn Lillard, Chris Lillard. Dicy Lillard, Eli Penny and Polly Penny. The first deacons were Eli Penny and Jame G. White.

Immediately after the organization the church appointed a building committee. It was June 15,1835, that a lot was purchased on Woodford Street, about where the health Department is located. A small building was erected here to serve as the house of worship until 1862 when the property was sold.

Jordon H. Waler was called as the first pastor. Thomas Jefferson Fisher wag called to be pastor, but for some reason failed to meet most of him monthly appointments, and Elder Eli Penny preached for the congregation. The present pastor, Bob C. Jones, has served as pastor longer than any other pastor. He came to First Baptist Church, from Northside Baptist Church, Mayfield, Kentucky on October 26,1966.

In November 1870, Christopher M. Lillard and wife, Frances, conveyed to the trustees, the one-half acre of land upon which the present structure stands. The building was soon completed and a record of its appearance: "The church house is built of hard brick with a commodious basement with 8-foot ceilings, and admirably arranged for Sabbath school and committee rooms. The church house proper is 40 feet by 60 feet with high ceilings, well ventilated with vestibule and belfry 3 stories in height." The side walls and windows remain today. On Tuesday morning, January 8,1924, a fire of unknown origin but believed to have started in the furnace room, did considerable damage to the church and destroyed the organ. The remodeled building was lacking the tall steeple and bells, but additional Sunday School rooms were included. The present organ was installed.

A $60,000 Sunday School annex was built in 1953. In July, 1959, the church sold the parsonage at 118 North Main and purchased the present parsonage on Donna Drive. A new Sunday School unit with modem kitchen equipment and Fireside Room was built in 1960 at a cost of $91,000

In 1974, the church purchased the Simpson property adjacent to the church. Furloughing missionaries have lived in the house since that time. It was named the Zora Carter Memorial Missionary House as the purchase was made possible by her bequest.

The sanctuary was renovated in 1976. The balcony was enlarged to seat twice as many people, the seating capacity downstairs was increased by tearing out Sunday School rooms in the front, a ramp was built, the organ and piano were repositioned, clear shatterproof covering for the stained glass windows was installed and a public address system was installed.

Special ministries include Tele-News which began in 1976. By dialing 839-6977, church and community news and a devotional can be heard seven days a week, 24 hours a day. First Baptist began television ministry on cable channel 22 in 1984. The church has a bus ministry. A van was purchased in 1983 and the present bus in 1985.

The 150th Anniversary of First Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, was celebrated throughout the months of June through September in 1984. The Sesquicentennial Celebration Climax was on Sunday, September 30. A gospel concert and cutting of the birthday cake was held on Saturday evening. Approximately 735 persons were in attendance on Sunday for the worship service, dinner at the Anderson Middle School and for the afternoon ceremony. A special Box, "time capsule," containing historical items, has been placed in front of the church to he opened in 2034. Former pastors, staff members, federal, state and local officials, along with many distinguished guests and former members, were present.

A Prayer Room was completed in 1988. The room is beautiful decorated and furnished and was made possible through gifts given in memory of loved ones.

On Sunday, February 12, 1989, the church voted to build a Christian Life Center for approximately $550,000.$200,000 has to be raised before an architect is employed. As of May 10, 1989, $152,000 has been received and an additional $40,000 pledged making the total of gifts and commitments, $192,000.

The membership includes 915 resident members, 277 nonresident members - total membership of 1,192. The budget this year is $331,500. This past year the church gave over $84,000 through the Cooperative Program and other mission causes.