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First Baptist Church of
Shawnee was organized in September, 1940 following a gospel crusade
meeting held in the American Legion Hall one block off Johnson Drive.
There were 13 people from that meeting who volunteered to become the
charter members of the church including Reverend. Charles Huff who served
as the first pastor. Services were first held in the Masonic Hall on
Johnson Drive, but by the end of the year attendance had increased and the
newly formed church decided to build on a vacant lot located at what is
now 58th and Nieman. The eight men of the church each pledged $50 toward
the purchase of the ground and following the purchase building began. It
was with hard work and faith that with God nothing shall be impossible
that a basement church was completed in 1941 built of native stone and a
tar paper roof, a large white sign announcing that this was the First
Baptist Church of Shawnee hung above the entrance.
In 1943 Pastor Huff left and
was replaced by Reverend. Warren Vining who himself resigned a year later
to join the Army Chaplain Corp. The church was ministered to by students
from Central Baptist Seminary until Reverend. John Epp was called as
pastor. Growth under Pastor Epp's leadership led the congregation to
inquire about building a superstructure over the current church, but
Shawnee city zoning restrictions would not permit this expansion.
Undaunted by this setback, the members located a new site 3 blocks: west.
This 2 acre lot was purchased in October; 1946 and is the land where the
current North Chapel and parsonage now stand. Ground-breaking for the new
church occurred in July, 1947 and the new church was completed in 1950.
Continued growth led to the
addition of an educational wing in 1956. In 1958 Pastor Epp left and one
year later Reverend. Ben Hinkson accepted the call to serve as pastor. He
held many special evangelistic revival services during his pastorate and
brought in several outstanding evangelists to preach.
Between 1969 and 1974
attendance grew so much that two morning worship services were needed.
This led to another building project and in February, 1974 the current
sanctuary was dedicated in special services held over 3 separate weekends.
In 1976 Pastor Hinkson left
and was followed by interim pastor; the Reverend. Jonathan Nielsen. In
1977 Reverend Paul Thompson began to serve as pastor. The constitution of
the church was revised, additional staff added, and a mission statement
was written during Pastor Thompson's ministry. A 3-phase building project
was also begun which included the addition of the present nursery and a
multipurpose activity center (now Todd Hall).
In the spring of 1984, Pastor
Thompson resigned to take a pastorate in California and Reverend. Orville
Mason became the interim pastor. Reverend David Brown became the senior
pastor in the spring of 1985.
First Baptist has, from its
origin, been interested in missions, but it became more involved and
active under Pastor Brown's leadership and the church began sponsoring its
own mission conferences.
Pastor Brown resigned in the
fall of 1997 due to health problems and Reverend Jimmie Treat served as
interim pastor. Reverend Jay Adrian was called as senior pastor in 1999.
Reverend Bill Foil was called as interim pastor in May, 2000. Pastor Foil
served until Reverend Mike Dodds was called to be senior pastor in March,
2002. Pastor Dodds resigned in January 2006 and Pastor Bob Mills (who also
serves as the director of missions for the KNCSB) was called as interim
pastor in August 2006. First Baptist also became affiliated with the
Southern Baptist Convention in the fall of 2006. On October 7, 2007 Bob
Hartmann delivered his first sermon as Senior Pastor of First Baptist
Church of Shawnee.
Missions and music have
always been a vital part of the ministry of First Baptist Church as well
as a dedication to biblical preaching and teaching. The original members
adopted 2 Chronicles 7:14 as the church’s scripture motto and it has
guided the congregation since. |
