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Rev. Martin Bibb came to St Albans at the invitation of several Baptist families in the spring of 1859. While no organization emanated at that time, Rev. Bibbs returned the following spring and helped establish the church at Coalsmouth (now the First Baptist Church, St. Albans) formally on April 13, 1860 with 5 chartered members. The church was accepted into the Teays Valley association in July,1860. The small church survived several setbacks: a flood and the Civil War 1861-1865. After the war, in the spring of 1866, Rev. R. W. Davis led the church in reorganization with 11 chartered members.
The church built a one-story rough frame building which served them until 1879.First church building to be built and occupied by the Baptist people in St. Albans was put up on the lot on the turnpike just west of Coal River. The lot was called Baptist Church Lot. The house was to be frame, 36 feet long by 26 feet wide and 12 feet pitch from floor to ceiling. This building was sold and in 1884 the building pictured below served until February 10, 1906. Their early pastors served in "irregular services without salary." The first settled pastor was Rev. Bayless Cade, a graduate of Richmond Divinity School, who pastored the church from September to November in 1865.
In 1938 ground was broken for a new sanctuary on Second Street (the present
location); an educational unit was dedicated and occupied on May 18, 1958,
a tower and porch with new entrances installed in 1966 the inside of the
church was renovated with more modern facilities in 1976, and finally, an
activities facility with a full size gym was completed in 1978, except the
lower floor.
The task began in 1990 when the Long Range Planning Study Committee recognized
the need to upgrade and improve areas of the church such as the lower level
of the Activities Building and the addition of an elevator.
In 1992 the First Baptist Church began a program called "Facing The
Future Together" to renovate and add needed facilities throughout our
church buildings. It was recognized that everyone in the church could not
give equally since their financial resources were not equal but everyone
could make an equal sacrifice and a theme of "Not Equal Gifts, But
Equal Sacrifice" was used when presenting to the members.
The ground breaking Ceremony was held July 18, 1993. There was no part
of the buildings that were not touch by the renovation. Some are more visible
than others such as the spacious Welcome Center and the addition of a much
needed elevator.Rest rooms were added and old ones upgraded, ceiling were
dropped, several hundred gallons of paint were used, ramps were installed,
kitchen equipment replaced, and the lower level of the activities building
completed for all purpose use.These are just some of the many items that
were done under the "Facing The Future Together" project. The
facilities at First Baptist are now user friendly with the additions, featuring
restrooms, inside ramps and an elevator at the parking lot entrance.
On May 3, 1998 in a special dedication service the activities building was
named "Wilson W. Plattner Activities Building".
Just as renovation was a dream that became a reality, so was the installation of stained glass windows at our church. Michael M. Watts had envisioned the life of Christ depicted in stained glass and that vision was carried out by a committee in early 1996. No campaign was held but members were informed and money was given in memory of loved ones and desire to add beauty to the sanctuary.There are 11 windows, 10 in the sanctuary and one in the stairwell landing on the Second Street side of the church building.A brief description is as follows: Angels, Manger Scene, The Baptism of Jesus, Transfiguration, Calming of the Sea, Palm Sunday, Jesus in the Garden, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Alpha and Omega, Jesus and the Children(landing window).
Through the years God has seen that people with great faith and a determination to do His will have been available to carry out His goals for a witness in this valley. When you study the history of these very special people and let your mind wander back through time to ponder over their labors and sacrifices, you'll come to a common conclusion that we have been truly blessed. With such a rich heritage, can we in all sincerity do less.