PBC Essentials
Our History
PBC HISTORY (a brief sketch)
PBC HISTORY (a brief sketch)
The Beginning
The first Baptist church ever organized in the city of Pacific was the Pacific Baptist Church. It was organized on April 24, 1870 under the leadership of Rev. J.H Breaker. The newly formed church was graciously allowed to hold their worship services within the Presbyterian Church located at 410 W Saint Louis Street until their own place of worship could be built.
The following month, on May 22, 1870 the first business meeting of the church was held. It was decided upon that the church would erect its own place of worship.
On July 4, 1879 after the morning worship service the building committee reported that a building would be built for the cost of $3,000.
A ceremony was help for the laying of a cornerstone on October 21, 1882. The next year, on December 2, 1883 the Church would dedicate their new place of worship located at 523 W. St. Louis Street. The official Church records tells of this day; “A joyful day with the Baptist of Pacific; this being the day which we dedicated our house of worship. Rev. H.W, Marsten of St. Louis preached the opening sermon. Rev. S. Pope Yeaman preached the dedicatory sermon.”
On December 17, 1919 Pacific Baptist Church would vote to align itself with the Southern Baptist convention.
On November 1946 the church erected an addition to the church building that consisted of a baptistery, dressing rooms and a heating plant.
On October 1947 the church acquired a parsonage and in July of 1951 the church completed a 40 x 60' two-story educational building.
On April 1962, a special service for the laying of a cornerstone for a new house of worship at 6th and St. Louis Street would take place. The building was completed and dedicated on October 4, 1962.
In 2007 the church membership voted to move to its new property and erect a new place of worship. The following year a groundbreaking ceremony was held at 2050 Old Gray Summit Rd. and construction would soon begin.
From 2009 to 2015 the church was meeting part time in each the old building and the new building. In 2015 would permanently move all of its services and activities to this new building.
Pacific Baptist Church has faithfully ministered the gospel of Jesus in the town of Pacific, for 153 years!