History of First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church organized as the Crossroads Baptist Church of Christ on December 12, 1874 in the old one room Union Schoolhouse, located at Crossroads (FM 455 & CR 97). The organizing elders were T. W. Cotton, T. F. Parker, and R. H. Love. Charter members were Brothers: J. W. Malone, I. T. Waggoner, L. J. Doyle, and L. H. Muncy. Sisters: S.C. Malone, Nancy Waggoner, Angeline Muncy, Levica Tillerson, Fannie Malone, Sarah Zigler, and Sarah Stelzer.

In 1882 Crossroads Baptist Church was built three miles east of present day Celina. When the town of Celina was founded in 1902, the church appointed a committee to find a lot in the new town. According to Mr. Jesse Doyle’s minutes of July 19, 1902, they voted to buy a lot on the corner of Pecan and 7th Street. The lot was offered to the committee for $325.00 by the Black Land Town Site. The terms of payment were: $125.00 cash, $100.00 in twelve months and the other $100.00 in twenty-four months with eight percent interest for all deferred payments. The church building was moved piece by piece to the new town and the name was changed from Crossroads Baptist Church to First Baptist Church.

From a humble beginning of twelve members, the church had grown to over 300 members in 1902 . In 1924 a new brick building was erected on the southwest corner of the town square. In 1987 the church moved to its present location on Highway 289 North. In 1998 the Church added a new 700 seat sanctuary to its facilities. In January 2003 a building program was started called "Journey In Faith" to raise funds for a new youth/educational building addition. On March 28, 2004 this new addition was opened and dedicated in a ceremony held in the new upstairs Youth Worship Center and a community open house followed.

Thirty six pastors have served the church during its 133 year history. Current pastor, Dr. Raymond Horne began his ministry at First Baptist Church in 1993. For over 130 years our church has been a light-house lifting up Jesus to our community and around the world through our mission programs.