Sunday, January 31, 2016, is our formal groundbreaking for our church expansion. This is my Lagniappe for this weekend.

Thank you for worshiping with us today at First Baptist Church. This is a special day for us, and we thank you for joining with us. This day marks another step forward in fulfilling the dream of the original founders of First Baptist Church and all those who have been associated with it through the years. First Baptist Church was established in 1904 by a very small group of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.It’s really hard to believe that from 1813 (the founding of the city of Covington) until 1904 no Baptist Church existed in Covington.Since 1904, the church has sought to be faithful to God in biblical faith, sound theology,and personal holiness.

The first years of First Baptist Church must be described as a “small, struggling church in a Catholic oriented community.”

From 1904 to 1948, the church had over 30 pastors–a sure sign of instability. Most of these were students at what is now New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Many stayed for only a few months.

In 1906, the church purchased a small cottage and began worship at the corner of Jefferson Street and 23rd Avenue in Covington. The modern history of First Baptist Church began in 1948 with the leadership of Dr. Baxter Pond. He challenged the church to build a building suitable to holding a church.

1948 began a period of amazing stability, unity, and maturity in the church congregation. Since 1948, the church has only had six pastors, with most leading a long, fruitful period in church life.

By 1984 the congregation had outgrown its small building and crossed 23rd Avenue to build a new, modern structure that seated over 500 people.

By 1995, the church had four Sunday morning worship services with overflowing attendance and parking.

In 2001, First Baptist Church moved  to the location in which we now worship and serve. When we acquired and occupied this 43 acres, we believed this day of completing the original plan would come.

Today marks the beginning of a new era in the life of First Baptist Church. We appreciate your presence with us as we celebrate God’s goodness.

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