General Info:
Looking back through the years, we have seen God's hand in the life of First Baptist. But our vision is to not just honor that past. First Baptist is here to impact lives today with the love of Christ as we follow God's lead into the future. Our ministries are just as diverse as our people and we can't wait to tell you more about who we are and why we're here. December 8, 1955, the Lancaster Baptist church was organized with 29 members. Rev. John Snedden was the first pastor in 1956. In 1956 the property on Hubert Avenue was also purchased and the name was changed to Hubert Avenue Baptist Church. Rev. Gene Puckett served as pastor from 1957 to 1958. In 1960 Rev. Don W. Gillis was called as pastor and he served as pastor until 1974. God continually blessed Hubert Avenue Baptist Church and it outgrew its present location. Therefore, there grew a need for a new church site. In 1975 Hubert Avenue Baptist Church called a new minister to serve them. Rev. Jim Williams. That same year the purchase of property on Pleasantville Rd. took place. In 1976 not only did Hubert Avenue Baptist Church have a new pastor and about to be moved to a new location, it also had a new name, First Baptist Church. In 1976 groundbreaking took place and the first service was held Easter Sunday, 1978, with a new pastor, Rev. Keith Moore. In 1981 Dr. Glenn T. Plum was called as pastor and God blessed us with many more exciting happenings ; parking lot paved, baby grand piano, the need for a Minister of Education and Youth in 1987, was filled by calling Rev. Don Robbins. In 1989, Dr. John K. Beckett, was called to serve as pastor, and during his current ministry God has blessed us by allowing our church to become debt free in 1993, with the mortgage being paid five years early. By 1995 church growth had led to the addition of a Family Life Center and Education Building and the calling of Scott Gatian as Associate Pastor. The future is bright and a spirit of joyful excitement fills the First Baptist Family.