In June 1870 a group of ten believers resolved to band themselves together in faith fellowship. With no church building and little money, this new Baptist Church began meeting in the homes of members, with leadship from a pastor in Pontiac. For a while they met in a building at Maple and Pierce, then at the Methodist church, but after three years the struggling congregation built its first building, a modest, white frame structure for $1,700.

For many years the congregation faced severe financial difficulties and were unable to sustain a full time pastor for very long, often relying on supply preachers. In 1897 the total income was $204 and $27 of that went to missions!

By 1912 the First Baptist Church had grown to 122 members and had expanded their building to include Sunday School rooms and a bell tower. In this same period the first young person from the church was commissioned by the American Baptist Home Mission Society for work in Cuba and El Salvador.

By 1916 the church had finally survived its initial growing pains, was becoming strong and stable, and was looking toward the future. It purchased a parsonage, paid off its debts, made a five year commitment to the Interchurch World Movement, and invested in property around the building in anticipation of future building.

In March 1928 the frame building was torn down and a new awe inspiring English Gothic structure rose in its place, completed and dedicated in just one year. Seven months later the stock market crashed and the depression had a profound effect on the congregation. Deep in debt for the new church, creditors did not want the structure, so allowed it to remain as long as the congregation cared for the building. Twenty years later, the debt was overcome.

The next major addition to First Baptist was in 1959 when an educational wing was erected, with a patio and fountain outside.

There have been several ministers and missionaries who were raised in the church to go into ministry in distant places. The ministries, programs, and activities are great in number and impact. A wonderful booklet was created for the 125th anniversary of First Baptist in 1995 and is available at the church office.