It was during the summer of 1839 that the Reverend Jonathon Davis, along with Joshua Mercer and eight other people, organized a church in Albany. Since they had no building, they moved to the Old Academy Building, which stood at the southeast corner of Broad and Jefferson streets. For a number of years, the Rev. Jonathon Davis was the main preacher for this small group of people, who began to call themselves Albany Baptist Church.
It is recorded in the Albany Patriot of Feb. 11, 1846, that "The new Baptist church in this place was last Sabbath dedicated, and set apart with appropriate solemnities to the service of God. The Rev. Mr. Siege, of Americus, delivered a very solemn and impressive discourse of the occasion. He was listened to with great interest by the very large assembly present. The church is spacious, neat and comfortable, and is highly creditable to the liberality of our citizens, and the pious and zealous exertions of the religious denomination to which it belongs."
This was apparently the first building on the corner of Jefferson and Pine.
In 1892, Captain John A. Davis, the son of the Rev. Davis, wrote a brief history of the church based on the recollection of members and friends, since most of the permanent records had been destroyed or lost. He read the history at the Dedication Exercise of a new wooden sanctuary.
In 1911, the wooden building was torn down and construction was begun on the brick sanctuary we enjoy today. Due to WWI, construction was not completed until 1918. During that seven-year span, the congregation met in the YMCA building located across the street.
In 1925, a Sunday School annex was added to the rear of the auditorium. In 1951, a second educational building was completed. The sanctuary was completely remodeled in 1954, 1971 and 1988, and the educational areas were remodeled in 1980-89. Recently, the church has added a new rear entrance, which includes a covered walkway and an elevator.
In 1969, the educational and activities building was completed at a cost of $700,000. Today, the properties of the church are valued at nearly $8 million.
After 166 years, the membership that began with 10 now numbers 1,096 resident members and 761 nonresident members.
Over the years, First Baptist Church has participated in the organization of Pine Bluff, Byne Memorial, Tabernacle, Raleigh White, East Albany and Sherwood Baptist churches.
On Wednesday, May 8, 2002 the congregation heard a recommendation from the Facilities Review Task Force, after more than two years of prayer and study, that the church relocate. Over the next 11 days members voted by ballot and, on Sunday, May 19 the ballots were counted. The historic vote was in acceptance of the recommendation and the process of relocating the meeting place of First Baptist Church began.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2004 the church voted to purchase 20 acres off of Dawson Road in the "Oakland Plantation" property. On February 16, 2005 the church voted to increase the purchase to 30 acres.
On January 26, 2005 the church voted to hire the firm of Foreman, Seeley and Fountain as the architects for a Master Plan and the first phase building.
On Sunday, August 20, 2006 at a special called church conference, the Relocation Building Committee presented to the church family the proposed plans for the first phase building at the Oakland property. On Wednesday, August 30, 2006 in a called conference, the church adopted this plan.
On Sunday, May 6, 2007 the church held a Groundbreaking Celebration at the Oakland property.
It is recorded in the Albany Patriot of Feb. 11, 1846, that "The new Baptist church in this place was last Sabbath dedicated, and set apart with appropriate solemnities to the service of God. The Rev. Mr. Siege, of Americus, delivered a very solemn and impressive discourse of the occasion. He was listened to with great interest by the very large assembly present. The church is spacious, neat and comfortable, and is highly creditable to the liberality of our citizens, and the pious and zealous exertions of the religious denomination to which it belongs."
This was apparently the first building on the corner of Jefferson and Pine.
In 1892, Captain John A. Davis, the son of the Rev. Davis, wrote a brief history of the church based on the recollection of members and friends, since most of the permanent records had been destroyed or lost. He read the history at the Dedication Exercise of a new wooden sanctuary.
In 1911, the wooden building was torn down and construction was begun on the brick sanctuary we enjoy today. Due to WWI, construction was not completed until 1918. During that seven-year span, the congregation met in the YMCA building located across the street.
In 1925, a Sunday School annex was added to the rear of the auditorium. In 1951, a second educational building was completed. The sanctuary was completely remodeled in 1954, 1971 and 1988, and the educational areas were remodeled in 1980-89. Recently, the church has added a new rear entrance, which includes a covered walkway and an elevator.
In 1969, the educational and activities building was completed at a cost of $700,000. Today, the properties of the church are valued at nearly $8 million.
After 166 years, the membership that began with 10 now numbers 1,096 resident members and 761 nonresident members.
Over the years, First Baptist Church has participated in the organization of Pine Bluff, Byne Memorial, Tabernacle, Raleigh White, East Albany and Sherwood Baptist churches.
