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First Baptist Church |
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The
first track of the Santa Fe Railroad between the Mississippi River at Ft.
Madison, Iowa extended southwest through the new town of Marceline to the
Missouri River at Sibley, Missouri and was connected by December 31, 1887. The
town of Marceline was only about 4 months old when a handful of Baptists
held a meeting and effected the organization of the First Baptist Church.
The first meeting was in a rented hall on Sunday May 19, 1888. The Rev. J.
M. P. Martin of Linneus preached, and at the conclusion of the service all
who felt interested in the organization of a Baptist Church were invited
to remain. There were seven charter members, three women and four men. The
Hall was used for the services for sometime and it was not until the
following year that plans were made for Marceline’s First Baptist
Church. The
building erected was of frame structure and with a few minor changes
served the congregation until on March 1, 1914 it was destroyed by fire in
a very short time. This
church is fortunate to have a written copy of two pages by a member of the
church whom was there at the time of the fire. Jessie M. Haley described
it in full. Also Melba Phillips. The church archives are also fortunate to
have some pictures of the old church and today we have for review a paper
replica made by C.W. Ray. For
a time the homeless organization worshiped in a rented hall in the
upstairs of a building owned by Zurchers. Soon, however, undaunted by
their loss, they erected an impoverished tabernacle on one of the hills
overlooking the town. The tabernacle was the scene of some of the most
happy experiences in the life of the church. Here they envisioned a new
and beautiful edifice to house the congregation. Plans were laid and on
one Sunday pledges were taken. The amount pledged is not known, but it was
sufficient to lead the faithful ones in believing that their vision could
be realized. The present building is that fulfilled dream. It is a massive
brick structure with thirty-nine rooms and ninety-six windows. Sixty-six
of which were in art glass, including several memorial windows. A spacious
auditorium and Sunday school rooms with a combined seating capacity of
near 600 provides adequate room. The
cornerstone of the new church was laid on July 1914 and dedicated
September 1, 1916. The new church was a $30,000.00 dollar building free
from debt at the time of the dedication. J. H. Huff who was pastor at the
time the first church burned was chairman of the building committee. The
building and its’ contents is and was testimony sufficient of the
thoroughness of the group. Included in the contents was a beautiful two manual organ, of which Andrew W. Carnegie contributed $700.00 to the purchase. Among the pastors have been men of outstanding ability and achievements, our church has sent out seven young men to the ministry, B. F. Heaton, Elmer A. Love, Albert Kondy, Warren Haley, Marsh Dorrell, Roger Briggs and Martin Essig. At present time (1986) we have two ordained ministers in our membership. Rev. Marsh Dorrell and Rev. Clyde Enyeart. In recent years many improvements have been made to the church, including remodeling of some Sunday school rooms, the purchase of a new Hammond organ (1956) modernization of the kitchen as a memorial. Leveling the auditorium floor, purchase new pews, panel front of auditorium, laying new carpet many areas, air-conditioning building, new baptistry (1958), relocating pastors study and church office and many other improvements. This date, July 6,1986, First Baptist Church Marceline, MO, is 98 yrs. 1 month and 17 days in age. We have had 34 changes of Pastors, but two of this group served twice.
Records of Southern Baptist-Missouri It was on January 22, 1969 that all Missouri Baptist Historical data is being recorded in the Historical archives, William Jewell College Liberty, Missouri. Since
that date many vital items of historical significance have been sent to
them from many Missouri Baptist Churches. Such
as, minutes of Annual Associations, programs, bulletins and church
histories when they celebrated centennials and anniversaries. Newspaper
articles relating to special happenings to churches and members of
churches. This includes celebration, silver and golden wedding of
long-time members, etc. Many retired church members and also retired pastors have valuable information concerning churches. The Missouri Historical Commission would truly appreciate any articles of historical value. Submitted by Ina Saunders, FBC Historian C. W.Ray, Assistant PASTORS OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
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