History
The History of First Baptist Church
The present site of the First Baptist Church was a gift of the Kingsport Development Company, the developers of Kingsport. Funds for the erection of the first building were provided by Mr. William Roller. Mr. Roller was once asked if he belonged to the First Baptist Church. He replied, "No, but First Baptist Church belongs to me."
The first meeting place of the Baptist people who later became charter members of First Baptist was in a frame school building on the site now occupied by First Presbyterian Church. This school house was very ecumenical, housing first one denominational group and then another. The Baptists had meetings once a month, usually at night.
The group must have met elsewhere for a period of time, because the actual organizational meeting of the church was held in a building at the corner of Cherokee and Main Streets. This was January 14, 1917. This was six weeks prior to the official incorporation of the city!
The city grew and so did the church. By 1925 the membership had grown to 401, and the building was paid for. The debt-free status didn't last long. A new building was completed in 1927. For the most part this was built around the original structure. So we have a new three story building constructed around the existing sanctuary, including its steeply pitched roof, and this is the building we now occupy. The original sanctuary was split into upper and lower portions. In the lower level pews were removed, partitions added and space was created for classes, offices and the music ministry. But the upper portion was another matter. Because of the odd shaped and steeply sloping roof, there was no easy way to get access from the new building which now surrounded it. Therefore, the membership elected to leave the upper portion as a closed-off attic area with the only access a ceiling hatch located in the ladies choir robe room. That meant that 1000 square feet of space in the very center of the new church was unused. A new roof was eventually added to cover the entire original roof because leakage had become a major problem. In 1962 a four story educational building was added to the church's facilities. In 1962 the present sanctuary (erected 1927) was extensively remodeled and improved. The main sanctuary of First Baptist Church has very beautiful Art Glass windows. The story of these windows is also very interesting.
In 1970 another building program was initiated to provide for an activities Building, additional Sunday School rooms and church offices. This addition was completed in 1972.
This unused space of the upper portion of the original sanctuary stayed hidden and almost forgotten. However, on Dec. 7, 1986, 18 members of First Baptist Renovation Committee began the first of many meetings to plan to renovate and change the property to meet the future needs of the 21st century. One of the items most often discussed was the need for a chapel and the continuing need for more space for classrooms, day care, etc. Even though some thought the expense of renovating this long neglected space would be too much, others could see the potential and so this old upper portion of the original sanctuary became a part of the renovation plan. In the meantime the committee had given up on the idea of providing a chapel because of the costs. However, Pastor Frank Hawkins, asked why this space could not be renovated in a multifunctional way. That is, a small chapel, Sunday School rooms, and general meeting space. The idea took hold, designed and incorporated into the chapel area we have today.
Construction on the latest renovations of First Baptist began in the fall of 1991. Many changes had to be made to the original sanctuary upper portion to get the chapel we enjoy today. Since the "upper room" was the cathedral ceiling, the side walls were extremely steep. So they had to move in several feet from the side and add panels to see down both sides. The floor was added, but the bead board overhead and the heavy wooden beams are just as they were in 1917 except that the bead board has been repainted from its original black to brighten up the area. A sprinkler system was added as was a pulpit area. The lights fit the 1917 era and the Francis "Red" Hamilton pulpit furniture allows the church to memorialize loved ones, as does the Abbott stained glass window and Mary Gregory Organ.
On Feb. 11, 1992, the whole church complex came very close to being destroyed by a fire which started behind the wall in the North West corner of the chapel area. It was quickly contained and put out by construction and custodial personnel. By June, 1992, the chapel area was completed and ready for use. It has become a much loved area of the church and truly a multi-functional purpose area. The presence of God can be felt in that chapel.
The renovation and upgrading was completed on October 12, 1992. Total cost was $3,800,000 and included changes such as a brick covered walkway between the sanctuary and activities building, completely altering the ceiling in the sanctuary, installing a passenger elevator in the educational building, installing a new steeple, enlarging the fellowship hall, and installing new carpet throughout the entire church. By God's grace and the faithful giving of His church this debt was retired in February 2001.
