The
First Baptist Church of Charlotte began with three women who had a
vision to begin a Baptist congregation in the Charlotte community. The
events that brought First Baptist into being are recounted in the 1907
Directory of First Baptist Church this way:
The first work so far as our own denomination is
concerned was laid upon but few hearts. In 1851 there was but one Baptist
in Charlotte, Mrs. Esther Searles. But, although she was alone, she was
not idly waiting for work. Becoming acquainted with two others, Mrs. Julia
Pierce and Mrs. Mary Rager, both living west toward Kalamo, they met
together and took upon their hearts the work of laying the foundation of
the present Baptist Church of Charlotte. April 5th, 1852, they secured a
visit from Rev. John Tamkin, who preached a sermon at the Ells log school
house, from Isaiah 3:10-11. After the sermon Mrs. Esther Searles, Mrs.
Julia Pierce and Mrs. Mary Rager handed in their letters and received the
right hand of fellowship from Rev. Tamkin, and were recognized as the
Baptist Conference of Carmel. They adopted the covenant and articles of
faith recommended by the State Convention in 1842. For nearly three years
these three women stood alone, without pastor, deacon or clerk. We know
little of their work during these dark years. One sentence alone is on
record: With unshaken confidence in
the great Head of the Church, we continue to trust His word. That
these women should raise the standard and unfurl the banner is worthy of
record.
Church
business was conducted at “covenant meetings.” What an incredible
concept, that church business would be conducted at a meeting where we
uphold our covenant to be in mission together.
Again from the 1907 Directory:
At the next covenant meeting of which any record is
made, and which was held at Charlotte in March, 1855, their hearts were
made to rejoice by the accession of five to their number— Wm. R.
Kingman, Mrs. Miranda Kingman, Miss Adaline Kingman, Charles Dewey, and
Mrs. Adaline Dewey. Rev. John Tamkin presided. The name of the conference
was changed to the Charlotte Conference. Wm. R. Kingman was chosen clerk.
Soon after two more were added to their number - Asaph Rundel and Esther
Searles. With this accession it was thought advisable to secure a pastor.
In March, 1855, this small group of Baptists
called their first pastor, Rev. John Tamkin, to serve half the time.
The church was officially organized on May,
1, 1855:
May 1st, 1855, a council convened at the old court
house, and the First Baptist Church of Charlotte was recognized. The
dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. C. Clutz. Wm. R. Kingman was chosen
first deacon,
which office he held the rest of his life. In June, 1855,
the church was recognized by the Kalamazoo River Association.
From
the very beginning the church celebrated the ordinances of Believer’s
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper:
In the following month (July) the ordinance of
the Lord’s Supper was administered for the first time. In August the
first baptismal service took place in Battle Creek, near what is now the
farm of Fred Terrill.
The
church spent the next 13 years looking for a permanent place to meet.
During those years the church met at the court house, Congregational
church, old school house, Carmel hall, and private houses.
These were difficult days for the church and country. These years
included the Civil War years. The record of the church indicates
incredible commitment and faith demonstrated by the people of First
Baptist. Here is the account of those times:
May 27th, 1859, Rev. S. P. Town accepted a call
and began his labors as pastor. Like Paul, he labored with his hands and
served the church with profit to all. Thirty were added to the church
during the first two years of his ministry. Then came the War of the
Rebellion, which tried the church as well as the nation. Rev. Town closed
his labors January 3rd, 1861, and for two years there was no pastor.
Meetings were held less regularly. Three of the most faithful were taken
by death. Among this number was Mrs. Julia Pierce. She was one of those
choice spirits whom all love. Mrs. Pierce lived in the country six miles
from the village, yet she was always in her place at church and covenant
meeting. She seldom rode, but used to walk those six miles in all kinds of
weather, winter and summer. During this period one sentence stands out
plainly in the clerk’s record: It’s
dark, but we know in whom we trust.
In
1868 the first Sunday School was organized and land was secured at the
corner of what is now Seminary and Cochran for the construction of the
first meeting house. On October 13, 1869, the meeting house was dedicated.
In 1880, the church was moved back fifteen feet, the front porch, basement
and the brick veneer were added.
With
few setbacks, the church continued to grow until 1920, when several
members left to organize another congregation. Yet in only four years, the
congregation was again experiencing vitality and growth.
In
January, 1924, fire heavily damaged the church building, leaving it
unusable. However through the contributions of money and time from the
congregation’s members, the structure was repaired, an addition was
added and improvements were made. In 1949, the steeple was removed and the
bell tower was reconstructed for safety reasons. The same bell is now
found on the Sheldon Street side of the current church building.
In 1952, Maxine Richey Wagoner closed her rather detailed history of First Baptist with these words:
With pride in the past and high hopes and
zeal for the future the church steps forward into a new century of growth
and progress confident in the knowledge that the loving Master cares for
His own and will help those who serve in His name.
The building at Seminary and South Cochran served the church and its ministries well for 100 years. By 1962, church growth was such that several studies were made to enlarge the sanctuary; however, it was finally decided to purchase property at 1111 S. Sheldon St. Final plans for a new facility were completed, and, in 1967, ground was broken with the final completion and dedication in June 1968.
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