A Brief History of First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church of Thomson was organized in the year 1859 by a small but
dedicated group of men. Many families of the time had to miss worship services at
Sweetwater Baptist Church, which is 3 miles away, because of muddy, impassable
roads. First Baptist was established with 6 men and 2 women as the charter members.
After one year of meeting in the Male Academy, Mr J.H. Stockton deeded a lot on
Main Street. Construction was started on the first church building, which was a one
room, wood frame building of probably 30 by 40 feet. The first meeting was held in
the new church building in late 1860 or early 1861.
The Civil War saw the closing of many churches in the South, but Thomson First Baptist remained strong, granting watchcare to members who were called off with the Thomson Guard.
Thomson First Baptist Church moved forward, both materially and spiritually, during the first fifty years, in spite of the social upheaval and economic devastation that followed the Civil War. The second fifty years brought even greater challenges including two world wars and a prolonged national economic depression. The church continued to grow and build during this time with unfaltering faith.
As the church grew, more and better space was needed. In December 1908, the finance committee reported they had $8,200, and had borrowed $7,000 to make up the balance needed toward a new building. The old church building was moved to make way for the new. The present First Baptist Church is still located on the original lot donated by Mr. Stockton. The new church building was used from the Fall of 1909, but, as was custom, was not dedicated until December 24, 1916, after the loan was paid in full.
Thomson First Baptist was a member of the Georgia Baptist Association from 1859 until 1914, when the Kilpatrick Association was formed. FBC was a charter member of the new association, which held its first meeting in the Thomson church on October 27, 1914.
The educational annex (attached to the Sanctuary) was completed in the late 1920's. Additional improvements to the annex were completed and dedicated to the service of our Lord in 1949 and 1954. The expansion of the main sanctuary was also completed in 1954 with the dedication service held on December 19 of that year.
In 1948 the city of Thomson conveyed to First Baptist, the title to the Church building and grounds of "the church at the mill village", which is now Hill Baptist Church. In 1953 First Baptist conveyed that property to Hill Baptist with the stipulations that it operates as a missionary church and is affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention.
First Baptist church organized a mission Bible Study in the Washington Heights section just west of Thomson in 1953. First Baptist began a building fund for construction of a Chapel for what became Washington Heights Baptist Church on 2 lots donated by P.S. Knox, Jr.
As First Baptist grew larger, there was a great need for more Bible Study space. A large house that was next door to FBC was rented and used for this purpose. Construction was begun in May 1964 on a new educational and chapel building, with the dedication of the finished building in May of 1965.
In the 1950's a great foundation was laid by Mary Frances Maxwell and Sarah Holcombe for a music ministry that blossomed at First Baptist in the 1960's under the leadership of John G. Dyer. FBC was among the first churches in the Georgia Baptist Convention to have a fully graded choir program. The 1960's were a time of big youth choirs, and First Baptist had an abundance of youth who had filled the Bible Study and children's choir rolls in the 50's. The Pastor began what became the standard Sunday night invitation- "Come to church on Sunday night and hear the best Youth Choir in Georgia!"
Renovation began again in 1976. The Sanctuary, with its enlarged choir loft and new organ, and adjoining educational and office space was dedicated anew to the glory of God, in August 1978.
Thomson First Baptist continues to move forward with growth for the kingdom of God in mind. The church has purchased or been given most of the land bordered by National Ave., Jackson St., Hill St., and Johnson Avenue. In 1994 First Baptist acquired the building dubbed "the Warehouse" by the Youth. The Baptist Men worked hard to make this a great place for the youth to gather. Also in 1994, the Hinton House was acquired and was transformed by the Baptist Men into the Shepherd's Corner for our Single Adults' Ministry.
In 1990 FBC established a mission approximately ten miles northeast of Thomson in the small community of Raysville. After many years of hard work Raysville Baptist Mission began construction of its permanent building in February of 1997.
[History from 1997-present is part of the renovation work on our site.]
dedicated group of men. Many families of the time had to miss worship services at
Sweetwater Baptist Church, which is 3 miles away, because of muddy, impassable
roads. First Baptist was established with 6 men and 2 women as the charter members.
After one year of meeting in the Male Academy, Mr J.H. Stockton deeded a lot on
Main Street. Construction was started on the first church building, which was a one
room, wood frame building of probably 30 by 40 feet. The first meeting was held in
the new church building in late 1860 or early 1861.
The Civil War saw the closing of many churches in the South, but Thomson First Baptist remained strong, granting watchcare to members who were called off with the Thomson Guard.
Thomson First Baptist Church moved forward, both materially and spiritually, during the first fifty years, in spite of the social upheaval and economic devastation that followed the Civil War. The second fifty years brought even greater challenges including two world wars and a prolonged national economic depression. The church continued to grow and build during this time with unfaltering faith.
As the church grew, more and better space was needed. In December 1908, the finance committee reported they had $8,200, and had borrowed $7,000 to make up the balance needed toward a new building. The old church building was moved to make way for the new. The present First Baptist Church is still located on the original lot donated by Mr. Stockton. The new church building was used from the Fall of 1909, but, as was custom, was not dedicated until December 24, 1916, after the loan was paid in full.
Thomson First Baptist was a member of the Georgia Baptist Association from 1859 until 1914, when the Kilpatrick Association was formed. FBC was a charter member of the new association, which held its first meeting in the Thomson church on October 27, 1914.
The educational annex (attached to the Sanctuary) was completed in the late 1920's. Additional improvements to the annex were completed and dedicated to the service of our Lord in 1949 and 1954. The expansion of the main sanctuary was also completed in 1954 with the dedication service held on December 19 of that year.
In 1948 the city of Thomson conveyed to First Baptist, the title to the Church building and grounds of "the church at the mill village", which is now Hill Baptist Church. In 1953 First Baptist conveyed that property to Hill Baptist with the stipulations that it operates as a missionary church and is affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention.
First Baptist church organized a mission Bible Study in the Washington Heights section just west of Thomson in 1953. First Baptist began a building fund for construction of a Chapel for what became Washington Heights Baptist Church on 2 lots donated by P.S. Knox, Jr.
As First Baptist grew larger, there was a great need for more Bible Study space. A large house that was next door to FBC was rented and used for this purpose. Construction was begun in May 1964 on a new educational and chapel building, with the dedication of the finished building in May of 1965.
In the 1950's a great foundation was laid by Mary Frances Maxwell and Sarah Holcombe for a music ministry that blossomed at First Baptist in the 1960's under the leadership of John G. Dyer. FBC was among the first churches in the Georgia Baptist Convention to have a fully graded choir program. The 1960's were a time of big youth choirs, and First Baptist had an abundance of youth who had filled the Bible Study and children's choir rolls in the 50's. The Pastor began what became the standard Sunday night invitation- "Come to church on Sunday night and hear the best Youth Choir in Georgia!"
Renovation began again in 1976. The Sanctuary, with its enlarged choir loft and new organ, and adjoining educational and office space was dedicated anew to the glory of God, in August 1978.
Thomson First Baptist continues to move forward with growth for the kingdom of God in mind. The church has purchased or been given most of the land bordered by National Ave., Jackson St., Hill St., and Johnson Avenue. In 1994 First Baptist acquired the building dubbed "the Warehouse" by the Youth. The Baptist Men worked hard to make this a great place for the youth to gather. Also in 1994, the Hinton House was acquired and was transformed by the Baptist Men into the Shepherd's Corner for our Single Adults' Ministry.
In 1990 FBC established a mission approximately ten miles northeast of Thomson in the small community of Raysville. After many years of hard work Raysville Baptist Mission began construction of its permanent building in February of 1997.
[History from 1997-present is part of the renovation work on our site.]
Church history from 1859-1984 was derived from the booklet HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF THOMSON. The authors of the booklet were: Mr. Ernest W. "Pecker" Reese, Jr., Mrs. Adelle Adams, Mrs. Mary Frances Maxwell, Mrs. Doris Faircloth Hunt. For further reference as to sources and contributions of members please see the booklet, which is available in the church library. Also, a current hard-back history book, entitled A Telling: The History of the First Baptist Church in Thomson, GA is available for $20 in the church office.
