History of First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church of Columbus, Nebraska, was organized in the Presbyterian house of worship on April 4, 1880.
Four years after the organization, the church purchased a lot and building on 22nd Ave., between 9th and 10th Streets, for $400.00 and dedicated it as their house of worship on July 19, 1885. it is of interest to know that this building was constructed with lumber brought to Columbus by the Union Pacific railroad on the first carload of commercial freight. The building was earlier used by the Congregational Church and later, until 1883, as the first High School in Columbus.
As the business and residence section spread northward in the course of time, a more central location was desired. in 1900, the building was moved to the corner lot on 25th Ave. and 16th St., where the work was carried on successfully until 1911.
Because of the migration out of the city of a large number of its members, the doors of the church were closed from 1911 to 1916. On November 9, 1916, a meeting of the remaining members was called and the church was reorganized. In December of the same year, funds for a new church building were raised. In 1919, a parsonage was built as the cost of $7,400.00.
In 1934, after considerable deliberation, the church voted to start a new building program. The vacated Baptist Church building in Bellwood was given to the Columbus Church, and all the material and furniture that could be salvaged was used in the construction of the new building. The cornerstone was laid on October 11, 1936, and the dedication of the church was October 29, 1939.
In March 1950, new pews and pulpit furniture were installed after accumulating funds for several years. In the early 1950's, there were several major improvements. New furnaces were installed in the parsonage and church building. A Mother's Rom was equipped largely by Memorial gifts. A Pastor's study was furnished and the basement remodeled. All organizations of the Church, Church School, Women's Missionary Society, Young People's Society, Officers, Pastor, and individual members contributed time, money, and material to the project.
In April 1952 the choir members purchased our first choir robes. The church organ was purchased in 1957 with the help of Memorial funds and donations. Other gifts included hymnals, film projector, carpeting for the aisle and tiling for the vestibule.
The church's 75th Anniversary was observed on April 2, 1955.
In the early 1960's, the congregation agreed that, due to limited classroom space, a larger church facility was needed. The decision needed to be made whether to enlarge and remodel the present church, or look for a new site. In 1969, the congregation voted to purchase a tract of land on 33rd Ave. and 30th St. The church voted in 1976 to go forward with a building program and a Long Range Planning Committee was appointed.
On April 17, 1977, ground was broken and construction began immediately. The church was completed in the summer of 1978 - our first service in the church was July 23, 1978, with a dedication service held on November 12, 1978.
The church and the parsonage at 16th St. and 25th Ave. were sold to another congregation and that church is at present being used as a place of worship.
The church's 100th Anniversary was observed on April 20, 1980.
A "Mortgage Burning" ceremony was held in 1990 to retire the debt on our present building.
Since the church's move to the present location in 1978, there has been significant residential expansion on all sides.
Our church has a spirit of welcoming and fellowship among the members. We hope to move steadily forward in the work of the church in the community for another one hundred twenty-five years or more, if the Lord tarried.