First Baptist Church of Blytheville

Baptists in North Mississippi County began meeting around the time of the Civil War. For 50 years they met in a log cabin located on the present site of Sawyers’ Cemetery and called themselves “Little Flock Baptist Church”. The church disbanded in 1899 because the cabin burned to the ground. In 1902, 11 members of the abandoned church re-organized and gave themselves the name “First Baptist Church of Blytheville”. For the first year of her existence, the church met in the Mississippi County Courthouse and baptisms were held in Lumerate Bayou. In 1903, two large lots were purchased at the corner of Eighth and Walnut and the church finally found a permanent home. The church met in a small frame building from 1903 until 1915, at which time a large, red brick sanctuary was completed. A three story educational building was added in 1924. Unfortunately, both buildings were destroyed by fire on June 12, 1967.

In 1952, a new modified Gothic sanctuary accommodating 1000 worshippers was dedicated. The sanctuary with its 32 rank pipe organ and exquisite stained glass windows, continues to be an Arkansas landmark. It is considered to be the most beautiful sanctuary in the entire state. Additional educational buildings were added in 1958 and 1969. A state-of-the-art Family Life Center was added in 1997, along with a chapel and office suite. The chapel, a miniature version of the main sanctuary, is the perfect place for smaller weddings and funerals. It is used many times in an average month.

First Baptist Church has sponsored two mission churches Trinity Baptist Church in 1951 and Memorial Baptist Church (now New Life Baptist Church) in 1971.