Our History
The history of First Baptist Church began in 1847. Having no building in which to hold services, the congregation met in both the courthouse and the school. Its first pastor was Joseph Milburne. In 1852, William Milner donated a plot of land to FBC on which the Franklin Street Baptist Church now stands. By 1954, the building was completed and was named the Missionary Baptist Church. The name changed several times during the next century, as follows: Farmerville Baptist Church of Christ; The Baptist Church of Farmerville; The Missionary Baptist Church of Christ Called Farmerville; The Farmerville Missionary Baptist Church; and finally, in 1948, First Baptist Church of Farmerville.
Shortly after its organization, the Church joined the Concord Association, a regional confederation of Baptist churches, founded in 1832. Today the Church is a member of the Concord-Union Association.
First Baptist Church has a long list of pastors who have served since its inception. One of the longest and most outstanding spans of ministerial service for First Baptist Church began in 1947 with the coming of Luther B. Hall. In 1950 a new church complex was erected on Main Street, and it was completely paid for within four years.
A disastrous fire occurred in 1971. However, the damaged areas were renovated, and a new fellowship hall and kitchen were added to the church complex. In 1983 another significant addition was constructed—the Family Life Center. It consisted of a gym, recreation area, and Sunday School classrooms. In 2014 the Sanctuary was completed renovated, accompanied by new landscaping.
Today, First Baptist Church is pastored by Bro. Kurt Auger, who grew up in this Church and was ordained to the ministry in 1997. After attending New Orleans Seminary and pastoring another church nearby, Bro. Kurt returned to First Baptist Church as its pastor in 2008.
Throughout the past 168 years of its ministry, First Baptist Church has sought to be a lighthouse to the community and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ locally, state-wide, in the United States, and around the world.
Shortly after its organization, the Church joined the Concord Association, a regional confederation of Baptist churches, founded in 1832. Today the Church is a member of the Concord-Union Association.
First Baptist Church has a long list of pastors who have served since its inception. One of the longest and most outstanding spans of ministerial service for First Baptist Church began in 1947 with the coming of Luther B. Hall. In 1950 a new church complex was erected on Main Street, and it was completely paid for within four years.
A disastrous fire occurred in 1971. However, the damaged areas were renovated, and a new fellowship hall and kitchen were added to the church complex. In 1983 another significant addition was constructed—the Family Life Center. It consisted of a gym, recreation area, and Sunday School classrooms. In 2014 the Sanctuary was completed renovated, accompanied by new landscaping.
Today, First Baptist Church is pastored by Bro. Kurt Auger, who grew up in this Church and was ordained to the ministry in 1997. After attending New Orleans Seminary and pastoring another church nearby, Bro. Kurt returned to First Baptist Church as its pastor in 2008.
Throughout the past 168 years of its ministry, First Baptist Church has sought to be a lighthouse to the community and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ locally, state-wide, in the United States, and around the world.