© 2007 First Baptist Church - Faribault, Mn
The earliest record referring to Baptist work in Faribault is found in Frink’s Short History of Faribault. In Frink’s History we read:
“In 1855 there were no church edifices in Faribault, but religious services were held every Sunday in unfinished buildings, but more frequently in halls over business places.”
The first sermon the writer ever heard in Minnesota was in one of God’s first temples, a grove on the borders of East Prairie. The next was in Crumps Hall. The sermon was preached by Elder Cressey, then living and owning a farm in the confines of Cannon City. He was a Baptist preacher.
Mr. Frink was one of the speakers at the 25th anniversary of this church, when he stated “the sermon preached by Rev. Cressey was the first Gospel preached in Faribault.”
From an article in the Faribault Republican we learn that the early settlers of this city were largely from New England, were descendants of the Puritans and brought with them a love for church and schools. Five years after the first log cabins were built in Faribault, the first churches were organized. Three churches were organized in 1856; the Congretational Church, the Baptist Church, and the First Methodist Church.
When this church was organized, there were only six Baptist Churches in Minnesota. Four Baptist Churches were begun the same year, 1856. The church voted to receive a Council. After deliberation, it was voted unanimously that we regard this church as a regularly constituted church of the Lord Jesus Christ. A Declaration of Faith was adopted by this church.
There were twenty charter members who united with the church on Sept. 6 & 7, 1856. Rev. Timothy Cressey was the first pastor of the church. After organization, the church met in Phelps Hall and subsequently in Metropolitan Hall, which they rented for three years.
On January 1, 1858, Rev. Henry Hazen became pastor. He served the church for a period of three years. During his service there was no year without baptisms. The first baptismal service was held on February 7, 1858, when thirteen were baptized in the Straight River. Among the spectators who gathered, there were some 20 Sioux Indians who were interested witnesses.
In 1862 , the first church building was erected. When the decision was reached to build, $900 was raised for the purpose, and it was decided to build to the extent of their resources. George W. Tower offered them all the timber they wanted. The funds were expended before the building was completed.
A committee, appointed for a community Fourth of July celebration, offered them the proceeds of a dinner to be served on the occasion if they would undertake the labor. The offer was accepted and the ladies of Faribault provided the food. The dinner netted about $300, and the building was completed at about ½ the cost that would have been needed six months later.
The lot upon which the building was erected was purchased on Dec. 20, 1858, for $158. The ladies paid for the lot in gold. The church was dedicated February 4, 1863.
One of the most noted former pastors, S.E. Moon, was located here in 1904 and resigned the same year that he might enter the foreign missionary service under the French Congo Africa.
In the spring of 1917 work was begun to build another house of worship. Under the direction of Pastor A.E. Kelley, a new basement was excavated, the old building nearly torn down, and the new structure build around it. The church building was dedicated to the service of Christ on April 14, 1918.
There have been many pastors throughout the years. It was during the pastorate of Rev. D.J. Davies that the church entered the fellowship of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in 1941.
During Pastor Sauser’s ministry, the church took a forward step in supporting missionaries in 1955. The church also adopted a new constitution.
In 1967, the AWANA ministry began under Pastor F. Donald Worden. The church also voted to relocate in Faribault.
The new church was built in 1970 while Pastor G. E. Saunders was serving in the church. This is the current location: 1108 Westwood Drive.
In 1986, during the pastorate of Harold E. Constant, a new addition was built where our auditorium is located.
Pastor Daniel Mead is the current pastor at First Baptist Church and has been serving here since 1988. Pastor Mark E. Chapman is the assistant pastor. In August of 2006, First Baptist Church celebrated its 150 anniversary of ministry in Faribault, Minnesota.
Many programs are offered at the church, including Sunday school for all ages every Sunday at 9 a.m., men’s and ladies’ Bible studies, and fellowship times. The Sunday morning worship service is held at 10 a.m., with children’s church for all boys and girls ages 4-grade 3. On Wednesday nights during the school year, we have AWANA Clubs for kids ages 3 through grade 6 at 6:30 p.m. The youth group also meets at this time all year long. At 7 p.m. is our mid-week Bible study and prayer service. We also offer several activities throughout the year.
We would love to have you visit us if you haven’t already.
“In 1855 there were no church edifices in Faribault, but religious services were held every Sunday in unfinished buildings, but more frequently in halls over business places.”
The first sermon the writer ever heard in Minnesota was in one of God’s first temples, a grove on the borders of East Prairie. The next was in Crumps Hall. The sermon was preached by Elder Cressey, then living and owning a farm in the confines of Cannon City. He was a Baptist preacher.
Mr. Frink was one of the speakers at the 25th anniversary of this church, when he stated “the sermon preached by Rev. Cressey was the first Gospel preached in Faribault.”
From an article in the Faribault Republican we learn that the early settlers of this city were largely from New England, were descendants of the Puritans and brought with them a love for church and schools. Five years after the first log cabins were built in Faribault, the first churches were organized. Three churches were organized in 1856; the Congretational Church, the Baptist Church, and the First Methodist Church.
When this church was organized, there were only six Baptist Churches in Minnesota. Four Baptist Churches were begun the same year, 1856. The church voted to receive a Council. After deliberation, it was voted unanimously that we regard this church as a regularly constituted church of the Lord Jesus Christ. A Declaration of Faith was adopted by this church.
There were twenty charter members who united with the church on Sept. 6 & 7, 1856. Rev. Timothy Cressey was the first pastor of the church. After organization, the church met in Phelps Hall and subsequently in Metropolitan Hall, which they rented for three years.
On January 1, 1858, Rev. Henry Hazen became pastor. He served the church for a period of three years. During his service there was no year without baptisms. The first baptismal service was held on February 7, 1858, when thirteen were baptized in the Straight River. Among the spectators who gathered, there were some 20 Sioux Indians who were interested witnesses.
In 1862 , the first church building was erected. When the decision was reached to build, $900 was raised for the purpose, and it was decided to build to the extent of their resources. George W. Tower offered them all the timber they wanted. The funds were expended before the building was completed.
A committee, appointed for a community Fourth of July celebration, offered them the proceeds of a dinner to be served on the occasion if they would undertake the labor. The offer was accepted and the ladies of Faribault provided the food. The dinner netted about $300, and the building was completed at about ½ the cost that would have been needed six months later.
The lot upon which the building was erected was purchased on Dec. 20, 1858, for $158. The ladies paid for the lot in gold. The church was dedicated February 4, 1863.
One of the most noted former pastors, S.E. Moon, was located here in 1904 and resigned the same year that he might enter the foreign missionary service under the French Congo Africa.
In the spring of 1917 work was begun to build another house of worship. Under the direction of Pastor A.E. Kelley, a new basement was excavated, the old building nearly torn down, and the new structure build around it. The church building was dedicated to the service of Christ on April 14, 1918.
There have been many pastors throughout the years. It was during the pastorate of Rev. D.J. Davies that the church entered the fellowship of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in 1941.
During Pastor Sauser’s ministry, the church took a forward step in supporting missionaries in 1955. The church also adopted a new constitution.
In 1967, the AWANA ministry began under Pastor F. Donald Worden. The church also voted to relocate in Faribault.
The new church was built in 1970 while Pastor G. E. Saunders was serving in the church. This is the current location: 1108 Westwood Drive.
In 1986, during the pastorate of Harold E. Constant, a new addition was built where our auditorium is located.
Pastor Daniel Mead is the current pastor at First Baptist Church and has been serving here since 1988. Pastor Mark E. Chapman is the assistant pastor. In August of 2006, First Baptist Church celebrated its 150 anniversary of ministry in Faribault, Minnesota.
Many programs are offered at the church, including Sunday school for all ages every Sunday at 9 a.m., men’s and ladies’ Bible studies, and fellowship times. The Sunday morning worship service is held at 10 a.m., with children’s church for all boys and girls ages 4-grade 3. On Wednesday nights during the school year, we have AWANA Clubs for kids ages 3 through grade 6 at 6:30 p.m. The youth group also meets at this time all year long. At 7 p.m. is our mid-week Bible study and prayer service. We also offer several activities throughout the year.
We would love to have you visit us if you haven’t already.