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First
Baptist Church, Frankfort, was
organized on February 25, 1816,
by fourteen members including
the Rev. John Taylor, who became
the First pastor. The
organization of the church was
inspired by Rev. Luther Rice,
who came to Frankfort to secure
mission support for America's
first foreign missionaries. During its early years, First Baptist Church held most of its early religious services in homes, in the State House or in the Courthouse. The House of Public Worship in the State House yard, at the corner of Lewis and Broadway, was open to all worshipers and was used by the Baptists every fourth Sunday. In 1827, Frankfort's First Baptist Church building was constructed on Lewis Street, near Hudson's store. The building burned in 1867. Immediately following this disaster, the present location at 201 St. Clair Street was acquired and the central portion of today's church building was built in 1868. In 1886, Paul Sawyer's grandmother, Penelope Wingate, donated funds for the construction of Wingate Chapel (the present balcony, foyer, and back section of the sanctuary). In 1928, a fifty room Sunday School addition was completed. The church sanctuary was remodeled and the present Moffet Educational Building was completed in 1956. In 1979, First Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. From 1989 - 1997, the church completed two major renovation programs in all three of its buildings. Additionally, the church's historic pipe organ was rebuilt in 1999. While these projects are physical in nature, the spiritual health of individuals and families will continue to be the church's main priority for the twenty-first century. "The road is up. We must keep climbing, looking ever to Jesus, Who is Lord." |
History of First Baptist
Frankfort
