Our History

The First Baptist Church of Centralia, Missouri, was organized on April 17, 1871. Rev. William Russell Wigginton of Mexico, Missouri was present and preached to the citizens from the North Missouri Railroad depot platform. From this gathering there grew the organization which called for a church home in this city. Articles of faith were prepared and the organization was called “The United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ.” The church was reorganized on August 14, 1878 and voted W.H. Nichols to act as Pastor until he could be ordained by his church. Minutes of 1883 noted that the name of the church had been shortened to “Centralia Baptist Church.”

In 1881 a committee was elected to select a site for the church home, as the church had been meeting at the Methodist church. The price paid for the site was $325, which is the corner lot of the present church location. On this site a large frame building was erected with a tall tower facing the north. In 1897 the frame building was razed and a fine brick structure was erected, but on November 5, 1906 caught fire and was destroyed. On February 14, 1909 the second brick structure was dedicated. On July 11, 1956 the church approved a new educational building and remodeling program.

The Family Activity Center addition was built in the late 1990s. This space includes classrooms on the upper story, kitchen area, combined fellowship hall and gym that is a half-sized basketball court. This space has been utilized by church members and also a tool and facility for outreach and ministry for the people of Centralia.

The sanctuary was extensively remodeled in 2013. The 2020’s have brought about technological updates so that our services are now live-streamed and can be watched online. We recently completed the infant and toddler care room just outside the south sanctuary door.

In the fall of 2021 we celebrated our 150th anniversary!

As we strive to Gather, Grow and Go in our community, state and beyond, may you feel welcome here at First Baptist Church, Centralia, MO!

Submitted by Sheri Deckerd