our story

On August 20, 1867, Mr. John D. Smith, then a resident of Henderson County, Tennessee, transferred to A. B. Crook and Hugh McKnight, Deacons of First Baptist Church, Henderson Station, County of Madison, a parcel of property on which the Baptist Church was being erected. This property was atthe now existing Henderson city cemetery, containing one acre more or less. This land was a gift from Mr. Smith. The small congregation occupied the building for some eleven years. On May 4, 1875, the Church Body contracted again with Mr. J. D. Smith to buy another lot on Main Street in Henderson, where in the spring of 1879 the old familiar (to some) red brick Baptist Church was built on the lot across the street from the Courthouse. The first church site was sold to individuals for grave plots on the now beautiful slopes of Henderson Cemetery. Mr. John D. Smith often referred to as the “Founder of Henderson” owned several thousand acres which included most of the city of Henderson and the surrounding area. Both church lots were gifts from him.The Baptist Church remained at this location until May 23, 1961, when its members razed the old building and sold the vacant lot to Mr. Roy P. Smith and his son Jerry. A new sanctuary with Sunday school rooms was erected at the new location on property purchased from Mr. B. Stinson Smith, on Dec. 27, 1957, the congregation moving in at its present location at 504 East Main Street in late June of 1961. The Baptist Church congregation purchased the home of Mrs. H. T. Pitts which joined the church property and fronted on Jacks Creek Circle Street. This church owned property has served at times as a temporary home for furloughing foreign Baptist Missionaries since the date of purchase on November 22, 1967. In 1985 under the leadership of Pastor Thomas Robinson, The church constructed a Christian life center, adjacent to the west wing of the educational building. As the church grew well into the 1990’s overcrowding and space became issues of concern. During that time, the church expanded the church offices, making way for more educational space. In late 2007, a renovation project began on the CLC transforming it into a sanctuary. In early 2008, the church moved into the CLC for morning and evening worship services.