History :

From the first records, still preserved, the "Regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ of Nevada City" was organized on June 19, 1858 with 14 members.  There are older records that have been handed down from one generation to another which show that an earlier church known as the "Marmaton Church" dissolved to go into the "New Hope Church of Nevada" in 1853.  The New Hope church was the immediate forerunner of the present First Baptist Church.  The Rev. James B. Box became the first pastor at a salary of $50 per year.
Ravages of war scattered the forces but in 1868 the Baptist effected a reorganization in the small schoolhouse which was located where the Nevada high School stood until it burned in 1953.  The name was again changed and was called "Nevada City Baptist Church".  Of this organization there were eight original members:  Mrs. Maxey, Mrs. Tillotson, Mr. and Mrs. C.D. smith, Mr. and Mrs. Joe I. Moore and Mr. and Mrs. Adams. Other Baptists heard of the organization and soon joined the small band.

At the time Nevada consisted of a few small houses and few people, no churches, no courthouse, jail, or hotel and no public meeting house except the small schoolhouse, in much need of repair.  The courthouse was completed in 1868 and meetings were held in this building; in Dodson's Hall and the old schoolhouse.  The town began to build up rapidly and Christian people began to talk of building churches.  In the spring of 1871 the building of a church house was begun on East Walnut Street.  They were few in number, about one hundred members, and they were poor by this world's standards but rich in faith.  The Lord prospered their efforts.

Very happy were they in their first worship service in their new church.  At first the walls were unplastered and the seats, as one sister testified, were not for comfort but of necessity.  They were planks, without backs, resting on anything to serve the purpose such as small kegs and boxes.  later there were chairs, and finally good seats were provided by each member giving a seat.  These seats were solid walnut and some of them were used in the church that was built in 1900 on Main and Hunter.

Two ladies decided that Nevada should have a Sunday school.  They raised $25 to buy Bibles and song books, and they visited every home in town, inviting the community to attend Sunday school.  There were two mission Sunday schools, old records tell us, which were held in schoolhouses south and west of town.  Mention was made of revivals held there as long as three weeks in duration and conversations resulted from these meetings.  In 1871 our own Sunday school was recognized as part of our organization and the following resolution was passed:

"We as members of the Nevada Baptist Church recognize the Sunday school organized by members of this church and we will assist in any way that will advance the interest."

The Sunday school has never been abandoned except for one Sunday on account of a smallpox scare.  Mrs. Tillotson was one of the organizers who took charge of the primary department and taught it for more than thirty years.  Brother Tom Farmer was the first superintendent and meetings were held in his home to plan the work of the Sunday school.  These meetings were the beginning of the Teachers' and Officers' meetings.

Old fashioned baptizing was held at Moore's Branch until two revivals were held in the new church building and as a result new members were added to the church.  Members felt the need of a baptistry so one snowy day two sisters went out to raise money to build one and in a few days they had the joy of seeing happy converts baptized in their own house of worship.

Even a brief history of the church would be incomplete without mention of the Ladies' Aid Society.  Though few in numbers they carried on faithfully with errands of mercy, making garments with their own hands for the sick & unfortunate and making money in every way possible for urgent needs.  There was also the organization called the New Church Society composed of younger women who gave $1,000 to the building fund.  In those days money was scarce and the women worked heroically to pay their pledge.  Eventually, these two organizations became a part of the Women's Missionary Society, the local work being done through community missions.  Some of the greatest work done throughout the Southern Baptist convention has been done by what is now called the Women's Missionary Union.

Within a quarter of a century the congregation outgrew this building.  In 1899 the church bought the site of the church that was located at Main & Hunter and was formally dedicated October 28, 1900.  F.L. Lacaff was the architect and Louis Landman was the contractor who were to build the "super-structure" in consideration of the sum of $6,696.40

Through the years our church has been interested in its young people. Graded training programs for all ages groups have been maintained.  Vacation Bible School was started in 1935 during the pastorate of Rev. L.E. Lamb and has continued every year since that time with a large enrollment.  The youth in our church have regularly attended summer camps, retreats, and mission trips.

Because of our growing needs, First Baptist Church embarked on a great spiritual adventure.  The church voted to start plans to relocate from the downtown site as soon as $1,000,000 could be raised.  After this goal was accomplished, the 20-acre site was purchased and a building committee was commissioned.  God had honored this effort of stepping out in faith and loving one another in unity.

Of the many things that were moved to the new facility, the pipe organ was one of them.  The organ was given by J.R. Davis as a memorial to his wife and was dedicated February 12, 1950.  Also moved were many of the stained glass windows which are in the foyer.  A grand piano was purchased for the new facility by the L.F. Richardson Foundation.  God has blessed the church with many other donations to numerous to mention.  These contributions speak volumes about the members of the church.  Their love for God and the facilities to spread His word to the multitude.

On February 9, 1997, the congregation of First Baptist Church made a journey through town to worship for the first time in the new facility.  Great things happened that year, attendance increased, new ministries were formed, the staff grew and membership increased.

More than a century ago now, since its inception, it has been the earnest desire of First Baptist Church to be a spiritual, soul-winning church.  From the records we believe that this has been accomplished, as many souls have been won to Christ and many strong, spiritual leaders have gone out from this church.