Formation

     First Baptist Church was formed in 1864 by a group of 10 people as a charter Baptist Organization in the then very small village of Moweaqua. They were Mr. and Mrs. Washington Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Stephens, Mr. and Mrs. Abner Smith, and Aunt Lizzy Polk and her husband. These Founders held services in their homes until the number of worshipers necessitated the construction of a church building. 

     The church was admitted to the Springfield Association in 1865.  FBC has a long history of hosting Association meetings some of which at the turn of the century lasted 3 to 4 days each. Our pastors have served as moderators many times throughout the history of the church.

Building of the Church Property

     Property was purchased at the corner of Putnam and Locust on the southeast corner of Moweaqua Park and funds were raised so the building could be completed as soon as possible. On April 19, 1870 the church building was completed at the cost $5,000 and was dedicated for divine worship by Rev. R. R. Coon. At the time, it was the largest public building in Moweaqua. The congregation worshipped there until the night of December 6, 1890 when the building caught fire. The building and contents were a total loss with the exception of the Bible which could be seen on the pulpit in the midst of the fire until the building collapsed, knocking it into the baptistery below. The Bible was recovered from the water with only the edges burned. It is one of the early church artifacts currently on display in the present-day church. The only other part of the church that survived was the church bell which called the faithful to worship. Immediately after the fire, the congregation began fundraising to replace the building and construction was begun on the new building.  On Sunday, November 29, 1891 less than one year since the fire the new building was dedicated to God. The new church was filled to capacity an hour before service as people anticipated   Dr. D.B. Ray of 2^nd Baptist Church, St. Louis presented the message of the day assisted by Rev. R. R. Coon the First Pastor.. 

     Each years from 1899 to 1917, the First Baptist Sunday School held a picnic on the Second Thursday of August.  These picnics featured bountiful dinners served under a large tent at the Moweaqua Park   with band concerts, local talent, and professional entertainment. These picnics were so popular in the town that it was estimated the crowd was over 5,000 in one year.