A History of Conway's First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church of Conway had a simple beginning. In 1866 a small group of believers met, probably in a schoolhouse that once stood on Fifth Avenue of Conwayborough. Only ten people were present, but from this small number the church began.
The early years were marked by slow growth; however, in 1876 A Sunday School was begun. In the same year, William Burroughs deeded to the church an acre of land on which a small wooden building was built. In the early 1900’s the old wooden church was moved back and converted into a parsonage, and a brick church was erected and dedicated in 1911. The present sanctuary was completed and dedicated in 1951. The educational wings were added in 1939 and 1960. The late forties and early fifties were important years in the history of our church, for it was during these years that First Baptist Church helped in establishing four mission churches: Homewood, Jamestown, Langston Heights, and North Conway. The first fully constituted church was Homewood, begun in 1945. The next of the four was Jamestown, established in 1948. Another of the mission churches, Langston Mission, became Langston Heights Baptist Church in 1953. A later mission established at North Conway became a church in 1956. Together we learn. The first Baptist Church of today provides a program of activities that nurture the whole Christian. A well-organized Sunday School has become established and is augmented by Sunday night classes and other Bible study groups throughout the week, allowing members numerous opportunities to “grow in wisdom, statue, and in favor with God and man.”
Together we serve. The members of the First Baptist Church have always given priority to missions. Through prayer and through gifts they have supported missions at home and around the world. In recent years members of the church have participated in foreign mission efforts in Brazil, Kenya, Morocco, Guatemala, Chile, Guyana, Benin, Indonesia, Taiwan, Trinidad, Celebrating Christ by proclaiming His love; providing opportunities for ministry; and making a difference in people’s lives.
Milestones in the History of the First Baptist Church, Conway 1866 Ten charter members met to form Conwayboro Baptist Church, known today as First Baptist Church 1871-1877 D.K. Bennett, Pastor 1876 Sunday School formed 1876 William Burroughs deeded present site to church 1877 First wooden church building built 1879-1882 W.S. McCaskill, Pastor 1880 Regular Prayer Meeting begun 1883- T.P. Lyde (or Lide), Jr., Pastor 1890 Woman's Missionary Union (W.M.U.) organized 1887-1891 W.S. McCaskill 1889-1893 J.M. Willoughby, Pastor 1895 T.J. Cobb, Pastor C.T. Ramsbottom (no positive documentation as pastor) 1899-1900 J.W. Harnley, Pastor 1900 Z.P. Hamilton, Pastor 1901-1904 D.F. Crosland, Pastor 1904-1907 J.L. Shinn, Pastor 1907-1913 W.J. Langston, First full-time pastor 1911 First Brick Church dedicated
1913-1916 T.G. Phillips, Pastor 1914 B.Y.P.U. had begun 1916-1920 D.L. Hill, Pastor 1920-1923 M.W. Gordon, Pastor 1923-1935 M.M. Benson, Pastor 1939 First Educational Building built 1935-1943 W.W. Leathers, Pastor 1940 First Vacation Bible School 1943 First full-time Educational Director 1944-1949 D.H. Daniel, Pastor 1945 Homewood Baptist Church established as our first mission church 1948 Jamestown Baptist Church established 1949-1953 R.L. Deneen, Pastor 1949 Parsonage built 1953 Langston Heights Church established (from Langston Mission) 1951 Present sanctuary dedicated 1954-1981
1956 North Conway Baptist Church established 1959 First Minister of Music 1960 Sixth Avenue Educational Building built 1960 First Kindergarten 1966 Church Centennial Celebration 1982-1984 James G. Revels, Pastor 1985-1998 J. Anderson Bass, Pastor 1999-2004 2002 Contemporary Service begun 2006- Robert W. Guffey, Jr., Pastor |
Together we praise God in song.
Russia, and Afghanistan. Youth groups have participated in mission trips to Connecticut, North Carolina, and Georgia; and family groups have gone to West Virginia. Church members have also volunteered to participate in “hands on” missions in our community. 
S. G. Lovell, Jr., Pastor