About Us

The History of First Baptist Church Powder Springs

First Baptist Church Powder Springs has enjoyed a colorful history of growth in both membership and facilities. We hope that you will find yourself being part of our future as we continue this growth. Powder Springs Georgia has never seen a population explosion the likes of what is occuring today. Our church wants to be your new home of spiritual growth and renewal. Please come and be part of our future.

Our church history began over 160 years ago on November 29,1841.

1841-1877
NOVEMBER 29, 1841, is her birth date. She was known as the "Springville Baptist Church of Christ," and she had six charter members. Her first building stood on the edge of the old Baptist cemetery and was torn down by the Union Army to build barracks during the Civil War and the church did not have a home for thirteen years until 1877.

1877-1914
Following the Civil War, the church did not have a home for thirteen years. In 1877 a building was erected at the present site on Marietta Street. It was a white framed building that would seat approximately three hundred people and was lighted by swinging kerosene lamps and heated by two pot-bellied stoves. The church was known as the First Missionary Baptist Church of Powder Springs during this period of time.

1914-1950
In 1914, a new brick building was constructed on the same site. The sanctuary was the first home of the large beautiful stained glass windows, which were imported from Germany, that we still enjoy today in our current sanctuary. The 1914 sanctuary was a faithful move forward and would seat five hundred people.

1950-1966
The 1950's brought about several changes and additions to meet the needs of the Powder Springs community. In 1950, new additions of offices, Sunday School rooms, choir space and the baptismal pool were added. During the year of 1954, volunteers constructed the first floor of an education building. The second floor of the education building was added in 1958. This remained the youth Sunday School area until 1998.

1966-1976
On August 14, 1966, Rev. J. O. Crabb and an excited congregation dedicated a new 600 seat sanctuary to the Glory of God. This facility became the hub of the church's ministry into the 1980's.

1976-1989
The Rugledge building, approved on May 12, 1976, would help meet the educational and discipleship demands of the growing community. Robert Rutledge's vision became the foundation of an expanded ministry focused on reaching the lost for Christ in the Powder Springs area.

Through God's blessings and due to the continued growth of His church, the membership of First Baptist Church began a program of sacrificial giving in February of 1984. Our fellowship raised over 1.2 million dollars to ensure that the church could continue to multiply her ministries and provide the necessary space to accommodate a growing congregation.

1989-1998
The result of the previous years of planning and sacrifice was the dedication of our sanctuary, music, education, and administrative facilities on October 15, 1989.

Seeing the need for additional property, in July 1992 the church purchased the adjacent Sgrignoli House and nearly four acres of land. This purchase guaranteed the feasibility of the church remaining in its downtown location to begin another century of ministry.

1998-2003
As a result of a three year Forward By Faith campaign, our church raised over $2 million dollars and constructed a new multi-functional Christian Life Center (CLC). The facility was dedicated on April 25, 1999. In addition to the CLC building, the Rutledge building was completely renovated and new, larger parking areas were constructed.

2003-2007

God continued to bless the church in numbers and in spirit. More importantly, God continued to use the church body to bless others in the community, country, and the world.

2008

The church, under God's leadership, has launched a new capital stewardship campaign, called "Embrace the Vision: Connecting Generations in Christ". The ambitious goal of the campaign is to retire the debt and to build a Children's and Student Ministry building debt-free. But greater than the financial goal, God is using this campaign to renew and expand the vision of His people at First Baptist Church.

Through these 160+ years, the sites, buildings and even the name of the church have changed, yet her heritage remains. The members of this historic congregation have faced great challenges throughout her history and time after time have met these challenges. As she prepares to enter her next period of ministry,  this body of believers will continue to serve the unchanging Christ who is "the same yesterday, today and forever".