Our Church History...

The exact date of the founding of the first Baptist church in Monticello is unknown. However, it was a charter member of the South Concord Association of Baptists organized on October 22, 1825, possibly as early as 1816 or perhaps earlier. This early church worshipped in an old log house down on Elk Creek.

     The founding of the second Baptist church in Monticello is likewise unknown. That congregation met in a log meeting house used by various denominations located just off the square on Columbia Avenue.

     The third Baptist Church in Monticello is the present First Baptist Church. As with its predecessors, the exact date of its founding is not presently known. There is, however, evidence to indicate that it was constituted in 1891.

     From its beginning the First Baptist Church of Monticello was affiliated with the South Cumberland River Association of Baptists until it became a charter member of the Wayne County Association of Missionary Baptists on October 7, 1904.

     The First Baptist Church of Monticello has worshipped in four houses of worship. The first was the old log Union meeting house formerly located just off the square on Columbia Avenue.

     The second was a wooden frame structure painted white and erected on North Main Street about midway between Walnut Street and Michigan Avenue. The building was dedicated on April 2, 1889.

     After the fire of 1918, the church worshipped for a while in the Wayne County Court House until a new structure was erected the same year. It was erected on a lot purchased for $1,000 which was located on the corner of North Main and Walnut Streets. The building was constructed of stone donated by Dr. W.H. Cook and taken from his farm. That house of worship was dedicated, debt free, in the summer of 1919.

Groundbreaking services for our present building were held Sunday evening, August 18, 1985. One year later, August 17, 1986, the first regular services were conducted in our new house of worship. The building was dedicated on August 31, 1986, with a former pastor, Bro. Joseph Nickell, delivering the dedicatory address.

     Pastors serving First Baptist Church since 1930 include: R.L. Brandenburg, E.A. Spencer, W.S. Scantland, C.R. Barrow, Dr. T.E. Smith, Joseph Nickell, Isaac Hucaby, L.C. Meadows, Alan Son, Coy Webb, and Chad Fugitt.

     After serving sixteen years as pastor, Bro. L.C. Meadows retired on May 31, 1987, having the longest tenure as pastor. Bro. Coy Webb, began his ministry with us in August, 1992, and served until December 31, 2007. 

     Bro. Chat Fugitt, the current pastor, began his ministry on July 1, 2008.