In 1873, 13 men and women came to together to form the first baptist church in what was then known as Gum Town. For the first five years, the church met in the Alma Public School building.
In 1878 under the leadership of M.F. Locke, the first church house on Oak Street in the newly named town of Alma was constructed.
Over the next 50 years, the church would grow to see hundreds of people saved and baptized. In 1923, M.C. Steward led the church to build a new red brick building as their place of worship. This would be their home until 1970 when the church purchased 10 acres on Mountain Grove Road. With 24,000 square feet, the church was poised to be the light of Christ in Alma.
For the next 50 years, First Baptist Church took seriously the command to go and make disciples. Whether it was a bus ministry picking up 200 boys and girls every Sunday, mission trips to over 20 different countries, tent revivals on the corner of 64 hwy, or Christmas gifts to underprivileged boys and girls, First Baptist Church Alma believed people who love Jesus should be the most loving people in Alma.
150 years from the faith of 13 people, First Baptist Church continues to faithfully share the good news of Jesus Christ in Alma and around the world. Though the times have changed, the mission remains the same. It’s all about Jesus!
