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First Baptist Church of Fairbury

701 North 7th Street
815-692-2654

Sunday Schedule:

Sunday School - Sundays, 8:45am

Worship - Sundays, 10am

History:

In September of 1858 a small group of people, under the leadership of Elden Branch and eager for a church home, met in a little school to talk of organizing a Baptist church in Fairbury. A council of neighboring churches decided on the Articles of Faith and the Covenant. On Sunday morning, October 3, 1858, the First Baptist Church of Fairbury was organized with the following five constituent members: Caleb and Orpha Patton, Richard and Joanna Hanna and Jesse Hanna.On April 7, 1860, Rev. B. F. Scrivens was called to the pastorate, he being the first regular pastor of the young church. The membership steadily increased, and in 1864 or 66, during the time of Rev. W. C. F. Hempstead, the members felt equal to the task of building a church. Caleb Patton donated four (4) lots, 2 of which were sold to help off set expenses. Finally, after months of weary waiting, the church was completed and dedicated to God. Rev. John Carnes, beginning as pastor in 1865, was very successful and within five (5) years he received 189 members into the church by baptism, the total membership at this time was 260. In 1871, forty-one (41) members took their letters and organized a Baptist church in Weston. Between the pastorates of Rev. Carnes and Rev. C. D. Merit’s, (1876-1881) the church had a number of pastors, each remaining a short time.


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