The History of First Baptist Church 

The Begining and the Early Years

On July 13, 1833 eight members from Sulphur Springs Baptist Church were dismissed at their own request to become the charter members of the United Baptist Church of Christ in Franklin, Kentucky.

  It is generally accepted that the early church met in the small union church on the square until sometime between 1846 and 1860.  The church then occupied a two story frame building on the corner of College and Madison streets.  According to tradition the ground floor was used as a schoolroom and the upper floor for denominational meetings.  Two denominations, Baptists and the Reformed Christians, shared the building until 1887 when the Baptists purchased the Christian's half interest in the building.

  Issac Steele was the first pastor of the Franklin Church which met on the fourth Sunday of the month through 1887.  The church maintained growth slowly but surely through the early years.  It faired well through the Civil War period which proved to be difficult for all churches at the time.  By 1871 the membership had grown to 111 members.  Franklin was beginning to recover and prosper after the war ended.  Church growth continued through the late 1880’s when the membership reached 200.  It was voted at this time the church would begin meeting four times a month.  With the first sixty years of growth under its belt, the Franklin Baptist Church was ready to forge ahead, ready to meet the twentieth century.

    In 1891 discussions of a new building began and a building committee was formed.  In July of that year the original building was torn down and a foundation began for the new facility.  It was decided by the members they would not move into the building until all debt was paid.  On the third Sunday in April of 1892 a dedication was held in the morning service.  The members were proud of their resolve to retire the debt before it was occupied.  Beamed cathedral ceilings, softly glowing kerosene lamps, the rich hue of oak pews and deep red carpet enhanced the spirit of fellowship and pride of the congregation.  The congregation would nearly triple over the next three decades.  In fact, Sunday School grew so quickly by 1904 a Sunday School annex was built to allow for more classrooms.  The space was connected to the main building and configured to serve as overflow seating for the sanctuary.

  Sunday School continued to grow reaching 349 by 1917.  Even with the addition of the annex the facilities were too crowded to effectively handle the growing activities.  The church was considered the “hub of the wheel” for many families providing the sole source for social contact and involvement.  An adjoining property was purchased in 1915.  The cottage frame house served as the base of operations for one of the churches' first youth groups.  The Baptist Young People Union met here for picnics, hayrides and other activities to involve and encourage participation.

Reaching Out 

As the roaring 20’s progressed Franklin's population had grown to near 3000.  The church also encountered growth along with the town and saw its membership grow to 543 by 1924 as Brother J.C. Barbe was called as pastor.  The congregation grew to 616 during his 13 years of service.

  Brother Barbe and the Franklin Baptist Church began reaching out with the establishment of South Franklin Baptist Mission Church.  By 1948 the mission church had grown and requested a name change to Barbe Baptist Memorial in honor of Bro. Barbe.  It continued to grow and in 1955 became an independent church.

It was decided around this time to change the name of Franklin Baptist Church to First Baptist Church.   Over the next two decades the First Baptist Church congregation continued to grow.  The current building and annex could no longer accommodate the membership.  Nearby retail space was used for Sunday School rooms.  A building fund was started as the need for more space was eminent.  Two parcels of land were acquired in the 1950’s but not everyone was in agreement on which site was best suited for a new building.  The local church wasn’t the only area of focus.  A canvass of Northwest Franklin was conducted and a need was discovered for another place to worship.  The Missionary Baptist Chapel was started and later became Calvary Baptist Chapel becoming the second mission church from the Franklin First Baptist Church.

A Miracle in the Making 

The members were not in agreement on whether a new building should be built or renovate the existing building.  It was the middle of the 1950’s and the church was without a fulltime pastor.  It was clear the church needed a leader capable of encouraging its members to make a decision and “grow with it”!  The church found such a leader in J.V. Case.  Within a year of his pastorate a decision was made on a site, a building committee was formed and financing activities were underway.  By February 5, 1961 the first service was held in the new building at its current location at 303 East Cedar Street.

  The congregation continued to grow through the 1960’s.  Once again with its commitment toward missions, First Baptist Church started its third mission church on the West side of town known as Fairview Baptist Mission which relocated and became Fairview Baptist Chapel.

Going Forward ...

For the next three decades with the church in its new facility the membership continued to grow.  Always keeping its focus on outreach and missions, it once again found itself with the need to expand.  As the times changed so had the needs and methods of reaching people.  To address these current needs, the church decided to build a major addition, with a large multi-purpose space and kitchen, a new music suite, office and administration area and additional Sunday School rooms. A Service of Dedication for the new building was held on August 7, 2005.With the completion of this new addition First Baptist Church is now ready and equipped to enter its next opportunity for growth.