History and Growth


 
 
First Baptist Church, Pembroke, was constituted in 1852 as Hopeful Baptist Church and was located two and one-half miles north of Pembroke.  In 1892, Hopeful Church came to Pembroke and was renamed Pembroke Baptist Church.


1852

 In March 1926, the church contracted for construction of a brick veneer building at a costs of $5,350.  The last note of indebtedness on the building and furniture was paid and the church dedicated on December 11, 1927.  The building was destroyed by fire on January 29, 1928.  Despite the loss, the church moved quickly, letting a contract for $7,000 for a new building.  Work began on May 24, 1928 and the new building was dedicated on November 11, 1928.

The wings of the church building were extended in 1944, and the church interior was redecorated.  An educational building was completed in 1953.
The name of the church was changed from Pembroke Baptist Church to First Baptist Church, Pembroke, in 1965.

A social hall was constructed in 1980, and stained glass windows were added to the sanctuary in 1982.  In 1984 and 1985, additional renovation of the church front was completed, including installation of a wheelchair ramp.  The south side of the church grounds was paved for parking, and additional landscaping was accomplished in the fall of 1985.


1952


1971

 Bob Creech was called as the first Youth Minister in 1993.  A piece of property with a house and electronics shop was purchased by the church in 1996.  The youth of the church cleared the property and renovated the electronics shop in 1996-97 and moved into their new Youth Center in 1997.

Judgment House was conducted for the first time in 1998.  Over 1300 people witnessed the drama and more than 100 accepted Christ as their personal Savior.  The auditorium was expanded by opening the wings which had previously been used for Sunday School classes.
Mrs. Imogene Bacon retired in 1999 after 51 years as church pianist.

The year 2000 was one of tremendous change.  The church voted for and pledged support to a new building.  Work began in September on an 1110-square foot facility which included a 700 seat worship center, new nursery wing, a bride's room, a church office wing, and a choir room.  Two new paved parking lots were added.

On March 25, 2001, First Baptist Church celebrated completion of the new facility with an inspiring dedication service.  This year marked the second year in a row the First Baptist Church led the Ogeechee River Association in baptisms.


1990
Pastors of the Hopeful Church include Lewis Price, Allen Cranford, and Ganos Smith.

Pastors of the Pembroke Church have been W.J. Durham, J.W. Smith, J.A. Clark, J.L. Eddings, J.W. Blackwell, W.D. Horton, J.B. Kytle, A.R. Richardson, L.E. Roberts, J.W. Witherspoon, L.S. Barrett, J.L. Claxton, A.D. Woodle, C.E. McDaniel, Robert Van Deventer, Arthur Harrison, Jack Corry, John R. Joyner, D.J. Stoner, Roscoe Patton, Robert D. Mosley, Gordon A. Hunter, Jr., Cleon M. Mobley (Interim), D.J. Hartley, C. Guy Kelly, Dean Burris, Dudley Penton (Interim), B.G. Stumberg III, Mike Crescenzi (Interim), James H. Correll II, Ted Kandler (Interim), and Bradley S. Butler.