First Baptist Church, Park Hills

12 North Coffman Street
Park Hills, Missouri 63601
Telephone: (573) 431-3576

Prayer line: (573) 431-0861
Facsimile: (573) 431-3621
email: fbcph@jcn.net

Current building

Original building

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First Baptist Church History

Built on the solid rock

At the turn of the twentieth century one lady, "Aunt Set" Hunt had a vision of service and ministry for the mining community of Flat River, Missouri. She and nine other people met on April 27, 1900, and the Lead Belt Missionary Baptist Church was born. The name was later changed to the First Baptist Church of Flat River. The ten charter members were Mrs. George Fraser, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hunt and son, Kenneth, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Yeager and daughters, Milla and Etta, and Mrs. and Mrs. J. D. Fraysher.

In 1900 a wooden structure was erected at what is now 308 High Street. In September, 1900, the congregation called as its first pastor the Rev. C. T. Fortune. In October of 1900 it was deemed suitable to have three deacons and J. D. Fraysher, Joseph Clonigen and Ed. H. McClanahan were chosen.

By 1905 the church membership had grown to 316 members. During this time the church started a mission field in Elvins and soon after helped organize the First Baptist Church of Elvins and the Owl Creek Baptist Church, which later became the Leadwood Baptist Church. It was also through the efforts of the Flat River Church that the Esther Baptist Church came into existence.

Flat River was a bustling, rough mining town. Many great revivals were held in those early years. One of the most notable ones was held in October, 1917. On the closing Sunday 68 people were baptized. During the 1920's it was necessary to hire a night watchman to guard cars on the parking lot during the evening worship services. Times were hard but the church prospered.

In 1907, the church purchased land at the corner of Coffman and Taylor, where the present building now stands. The first building on this site was erected in 1910. On February 25, 1920, the building was destroyed by fire. The cornerstone for the present building was laid on October 9, 1921, and the congregation used the basement for services until the building was completed. In 1949, the church constructed a new parsonage at 504 West Main Street, and a new educational building at 305 Taylor Avenue in 1952-53. During 1964-65 the church remodeled and refurnished the first floor and completely modernized the kitchen. The entire building was air-conditioned. In 1966, the church began construction of an educational addition to the auditorium, which included a bell tower. Carillon bells were purchased in 1972. The chimes and hymns can be heard throughout the community each day.

First Baptist Church has obeyed the command given in Matthew 28:19-20 and sponsored mission churches in Esther, Elvins, Leadwood, and Viburnum. Over the years mission trips have taken the members to Ohio, Indiana, South Dakota, Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado. For the past three years the church has hosted Teen Missions International leadership training as well as the annual Missionaries to America tour. Lasting friendships have been made with young people from around the world. FBC has a partnership in Belarus and assists in the support of a Tentmaker Ministry in Wyoming.

In 1996 a dinner presentation of the musical "Bright New Wings" was presented. It was to be a two night performance. God had other plans and this experience has become a dinner theater ministry. Three years and thirty performances later the cast and crew continue to share the transformation that Christ brings, "to be changed from a caterpillar into a butterfly is amazing, but no more so than being changed from a leper to a child of God." They have presented the gospel to churches in our area, both Baptist and other denominations, and have toured Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado.

In 1994, four communities, including Flat River, consolidated to become Park Hills, Missouri. The church is now known as the First Baptist Church of Park Hills. Over the years thirty pastors have served the congregations.

PASTORS OF THE CONGREGATION

Some of the pastors who served the church in its early days were: C. L. Fortune, P. L. Kelly, J. W. Long, Rev. Watson, W. a. DeVault, E. V. Lamb, H. G. Aulick, C. F. Whitlock and J. W. Anthony.

PASTORS SINCE 1908

1. Rev. Theodore Whitfield-----1908-1910
2. Rev. J. L. Leonard---------------Nov. 1910
3. Rev. E. F. Curl-------------------1911
4. Rev. George Steel---------------1912-1915
5. Rev. J. R. Carmichael---------1915-1917
6. Rev. H. A. Smoot--------------1918
7. Rev. C. E. Kennedy------------1919-1920
8. Rev. F. M. Baker--------------1920-1923
9. Rev. Chas. Alexander----------1923
10. Rev. E. D. Owen---------------1924-1927
11. Rev. L. H. Maples-------------1927-1931
12. Rev. E. H. Zipprodt-----------1931-1935
13. Rev. W. M. Hammond------------1936-1937
14. Rev. E. C. Abernathy----------1937-1944
15. Rev. A. R. Hicks--------------1945-1950
16. Rev. H. V. Lassiter-----------1951-1956
17. Rev. Virgil L. Vaughn---------1957-1967
18. Rev. Owen Sherrill------------1968-1972
19. Rev. Virgil L. Vaughn----1972-1982
20. Dr. Martin Brockett-----------1982-1989
21. Rev. Rick Wadley--------------1990-2000
22. Rev. Bill Holbrook------------2002-2005