First Baptist Church History

First Baptist has been blessed with a rich history. We have also been blessed with a History committee that works indefatigability to preserve, celebrate, and record our history.

One of the greatest assets to the historical record of First Baptist is the publishing work of the History committee. Two books have been published in the last fifteen years chronicling the history of First Baptist from its genesis. Furthermore a history room has been established that holds and displays records and items that tell the story of who we have been and from where we have come. The history books may be purchased from the church office.

An Excerpt from the 1891-1991 History Book,  In The Beginning,  June 20. 1891 -September 15. 1894

Some time during the period of 1890-1891, plans were in the making to organize the first Missionary Baptist Church in Adel. These plans were spear- headed by one person, Mr. James T. Wilkes.

Mr. Wilkes followed a devoutly Christian life and one characteristic that labeled this man was: "if he believed in a project, had faith in a belief, held an aim or assumed an undertaking, nothing deterred him from pursuing his goal."

So it was on June 20, 1891, Brother Wilkes, along with his brother-in-law, Willie P. Howell, Mrs. Mitch J. Young and Mrs. Catherine Mathis met and constituted the Adel Baptist Church.

Brother J.T. Stanley was called as the first preacher, coming to preach one Sunday a month. His salary was supplemented by the Mercer Association.

Mr. Wilkes soon married Lula McPherson and she along with Mrs. Allen McConnell joined the church. They were two of the first to unite with the church on profession of faith. Their baptism took place on the north side of Hutchinson's Mill Pond.

But with that very humble beginning, interest in the Baptist church began to grow and soon a meeting was called to discuss the wisdom of building a church.

At this meeting only Mr. Wilkes and Rev. Stanley were present. Mr. Wilkes was determined to have a church house and he was quoted as saying, "By the help of the Lord, we will build a church."

Even though the congregation was still small, they were hardly able financially to undertake the construction. But as time rolled on, the membership increased and in 1892, J.T. Wilkes and Joel J. Parrish donated the site, being the corner lot on the West side of what is now Burwell Ave. and the North side of Seventh St., for the church.

The announcement was made that the site had been secured and this increased the desire and determination to go ahead and build the church. Only two responded when all who were interested in building the church were requested to meet at a certain hour. Mr. Wilkes and Brother Stanley were the only ones. Mr. Purvis, a carpenter at work on the Methodist Church, stopped his work and came over to where they were, through respect.

An article appeared in the Tifton Gazette, Tifton, Berrien County, on Friday morning, February 26, 1892. It read like this, "Item Of Local Interest...The missionary Baptist of Adel have decided to begin the erection of a house of worship. Success to them."

Before its completion, funds ran low and work had to stop. Although it was a little before the sheep shearing time in May. Mr. J.T. sheared all his flock of sheep and sold the wool in Valdosta. With the money the church was completed.

The first services were held there in 1892. And the church was dedicated soon after it was completed. Brother Stanley preached the dedication sermon, using as his text these words... "In the name of God we set up our banner"...taken from the Book of Psalms, 20th Chapter and 5th verse.

Following this first sermon in the new church there was a noticeable increase in fervor and interest on the part of the membership, as well as a decided increase in respect and admiration on the part of the people of the community as a whole, which naturally contributed to the growth and progress of the church.

The first minutes of the church were likely burned at the time Brother Wilkes' store burned, so there are no early records.

The lot for the church was given as long as it was used for church purposes. Later the church bought the lot so as to use as they thought best.

Services were held on Sunday in each month and the preceding Saturday. The seats or benches were made as Brother Stanley suggested, using iron ends and wooden strips on account of the price. They had no backs at first, but later on backs were added.
Brother A. Hurst of Quitman, Georgia, followed Brother Stanley as the second pastor. His salary was supplemented by the Mercer Association also. We do not know how long he was pastor. But as was customary, the call of a pastor for a year, was entered into during September conference. Then the pastor and messengers were able to be present at the annual meeting of the association in October. The pastor then served for the ensuing year. Brother Stanley was again called for two Sundays a month, the church paying his full salary.