HISTORICAL NOTE

This building, known as "Town Hall School" once stood where our church now stands. The following article, which was written by a former local historian by the name of Dart Ellis, was included in St. Albans Advertiser's edition of December 20, 1962. "Our first school, known as the Town Hall School, stood on the present site of First Baptist Church building in 1868. It opened its doors for the first term on October 12. 1868 with Mr Arthur L Fox, who was also Town Recorder- as teacher, but due to lack of funds the school year was short-lived having closed on December 2, 1868.
The village council at that time also acted as school board. A new council was elected on April 22, 1869 and led a sufficient levy in July. 1869 to permit the school to reopen on February 5, 1870, with L. W. Berry as teacher. However, still being pressed for funds, the council contracted and paid him on a weekly basis. Later, a poll tax was impressed and this, with property tax, was sufficient to continue the school and it was never again closed.
Water for the school was obtained from "Town Hall Spring" located on the site now occupied by the Masonic Hall, the spring having been dried up by the necessary blasting when the sanitary sewer was constructed on Main Street. During its life, the old school served as Town Hall. jail, school - both public andboarding - and as a church.
Cheaply constructed and poorly maintained due to the lack of funds, the building began to show signs of decay in the late 1890's and this, coupled with the fact that the jail-school combination was not successful, led to the creation of Central School* in 1906. Several of our now living prominent and beloved citizens, among whom are Mrs. U. S. Jarrett. Mr. E. C. "Ned" Colcord, Mr. Henry Crawford, who was active in the publication of the school paper, and Mr. C. H. Zerkle attended this school in Town Hall."
This was the former Central School which resided on the lot where the present Wendy's restaurant exists.
This town school was affectionately called "Swamp College" because of the water that backed up into the low area known as the Ram's Horn. This is the low area where the lower parking lots presently exist.
The school also had the town's first football team and published a newsletter known as the "Swamp College Times." Many of the early citizens of the town received their education here. Classes from the 1st grade through high school were held here. High school in those days stopped around the 8th or 9th grades.
The building was finally demolished circ. 1905.

Submitted by Linda and Bill Troutman

OUR CHURCH WILL BE 150 YEARS OLD in 2010. Plans are under-way for it's celebration. It will be a wonderful time for us to celebrate how God has blessed our church and the families that have worshipped here over the years.
The Historical Committee is looking for old photographs of church families. If you would loan them to the Historical Committee to copy, they will be returned within 2 days. Please contact Bill or Linda Troutman (727-4005) or Tracy Nicholas (757)-1374.
Thank you!

Our Church History

The First Baptist Church St.Albans entered into the National Register of Historic Places on November 2, 2000

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.

Church Building in use 1884-1906,destroyed
by fire.Located on A street by Coal River

Church Edifice in use 1909 to 1938.
Located where the Old Post Office was
just across the street from present building.

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.

Facing The Future Together

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.

Watch the St. Albans Historical Society web site for more local history being made.

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