Since 1954, First Baptist Church has had the same goal and mission: to see unsaved souls come to know Jesus as Savior and to see the Believers grow in their Christian walk. That mission has been carried out by this church through both its foreign and domestic ministries.
With humble beginnings in the American Legion building, eight people with a desire for a Baptist church in Bryan began meeting. They called Rev. Richard Nolley to be their first pastor and he served until 1956. Rev. Jess Staton took over the ministry for a year, followed in 1958 by Rev. Christ Christopoules who led the church to its own facility on Alpine Dr. in Bryan (current location of First Assembly of God). Pastor Christopoules was commuting from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago during this time. Upon his graduation, he moved away and the pastoral vacancy was filled once again by Rev. Nolley. From 1964-1968, Rev. Donald Linsz led the church until he surrendered to God’s call to the mission field.
Coming from Danville, IL, Rev. Jack Bennett was called as the next pastor of FBC. For 31 years, Pastor Bennett led the work. Shortly after his arrival, plans were made to purchase the old Wesley UMC on the corner of Beech and Butler St. Many improvements were made to the church building through the years. However, foresight recognized that this would not be the permanent home and location for this church. It was land-locked and the building was historically old. A building fund was created with a vision for the future.
In 1994, Pastor John MacFarlane was called as the Associate pastor. Upon Pastor Bennett’s retirement in 1999, Pastor MacFarlane accepted the position of Senior Pastor and remains to this day.
In 2000, 15 acres of land was purchased on the corner of Union St. and County Road C. Ground was broken on May 16, 2004. As the building went up, our property was annexed into the city, making our new address 925 E. Fountain Grove Dr. On Saturday, June 11, 2005, a dedication service was held, opening the doors for the first time for worship.
Through it all, we have only one thing to say: To God Be The Glory, Great Things HE Hath Done!
