(Editor’s note: Dolores Sonntag compiled historical information for this Reporter story. The late RISD teacher, Ramona Barlow, left First Baptist Church with a treasure trove of its history.)
Rockdale’s Sesquicentennial Celebration may be over, but it’s still 2024 and First Baptist Church, founded Sept. 25, 1874, is celebrating its own 150-year anniversary next week.
When the first passenger train arrived in Rockdale on Feb. 18, 1874, on board was a Baptist preacher named B.B. Baxter. He began to hold services which led to the organization of First Baptist Church.
The congregation met in a number of locations, one being a room over a dry goods store where the pews were boards supported by beer kegs and the pulpit was a crate. In 1875, citizens of Rockdale built a church building which was used by all denominations, and it is believed the Baptists also met there. In 1881, the Baptists built a plain brick building for their meetings. Unfortunately, it is not known where any of these meeting places were located.
The next building was built on the corner of Green and Bell Streets. It was a stately white building which stood for over 50 years, dedicated on March 16, 1919. A two-story parsonage was built beside it but over the years the parsonage was torn down to make room for a new educational wing of the church. Over the years the church also purchased properties to the south and east and conducted Sunday school classes in the houses on the properties until they were moved. In 1978, the church purchased a new parsonage in another part of Rockdale.
In May 1969, the church entered into an agreement to build a new auditorium, a new classroom wing and office space. The historic old building was demolished in 1971, and the new sanctuary was dedicated on June 18, 1972. With recent updates, this is the current meeting place of the church. Thus, First Baptist Church has occupied the same location on the corner of Green and Bell Streets for over 100 years.
On Sept. 19, 1999, as part of the church’s 125th anniversary, a historical marker was unveiled in front of the church.
The church has been pastored by 42 men in its 150year history. The current pastor is Matt Higginbotham who began his ministry in February of 2015.
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