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Ten years after Carthage became the county seat, a group of pioneers assembled to organize a Baptist church. In April 1858 the Rev. J. H. Whitmore was called as first pastor. By the end of the year, the congregation had agreed to support missions and join the Central Baptist Association; church membership was 21, including a slave named Margaret Moore. The Baptist congregation dwindled during the Civil War and in 1860 remaining members decided to disband. They did not meet again until 1867, when the Rev. G. W. Butler reorganized the church. Consecration services for the Baptist church building were held in June 1878. August 1901 brought a split over the dispersal of missionary offerings. Dissatisfied members form the Central Baptist Church, while the original group adopted the name First Baptist Church. The new century was difficult for those who continued with the First Baptist Church. The Ladies' Aid Society tirelessly raised money for the pastor's salary and other necessities throughout the early years and the Depression. Decades of prosperity came with the 1940s. A new building was dedicated in 1947; a radio ministry began in 1952. Structures were added and removed as needed. The congregation flourished, and in 1998 celebrated 140 years. (1998) |
