Farmington First Baptist Church was organized Oct. 3, 1948, following a tent revival on the lot between Phillips' Grocery and the Church of Christ on Main Street, according to a church history provided by Janie Steele of Farmington. Steele, who recently passed away at the age of 78, was a charter member of the church.
The church history says the church was organized because a group of "loving Christian people" saw the need for a Southern Baptist church in Farmington. Brother A.L. Leake with Washington-Madison Baptist Association preached a two-week revival and at the end of the revival, 58 people were ready to formalize a new church called First Baptist Church.
Jesse Coleman was ordained as the first pastor and the church's first annual budget was $1,800. Nan Shreve gave land for a new church building at the corner of Main and Church streets. Farmington's population at the time was 100.
Church members met in the old Christian Church while their new building was under construction. They moved into their new facility on Main Street in January 1951.
The church grew significantly over the years, especially during the 1980s. So much, that it had three worship services on Sundays and two Sunday School sessions to accommodate the number of people attending.
In 1989, a building and relocation committee began meeting to work on land and finances for a new facility. The church purchased land on Rheas Mill Road and held a ground-breaking ceremony for the facility on April, 7, 1991. The church relocated to its new building about 25 years ago, in May 1993, according to the church history.
After the move, some church members decided they wanted to stay in the old building and have a more traditional type service. They bought the former church from First Baptist and named it Farmington Baptist. Today, the church is called Main Street Baptist.
Since Farmington First moved to its building on Rheas Mill Road, it has expanded by constructing a new children's facility and a new youth building.
General News on 11/07/2018