HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1869 – TODAY
First Baptist Church, Fremont was founded 15 years after the creation of Nebraska Territory and 2 years after its admission as a state in 1869. The founders met and held services in a private residence at 520 East 5th Street, which still stands today as the second oldest structure in Fremont. The group called its first pastor in 1870; there have been 27 pastors in total over the 146 years since.
The church has had three church buildings as it has outgrown facilities and replaced one structure destroyed by fire. The current church was dedicated on Sunday, February 4, 1923. In 1955 a three-story education wing was added to double the floor area and provide a kitchen, multipurpose room, chapel, and parlor as well as classrooms. A 1994 renovation added an elevator making all floors accessible. The house next door to the church, called the Beacon, has served as a parsonage and as offices and now is renovated to provide housing again.
Through the years the church has also acquired additional property in the block containing the church. A 6,400 square foot commercial building and parking lot were acquired in 1990, just off the back corner of the church. This building houses three local businesses and the FBC Family Center, which offers space for the casual service, youth activities, and multipurpose event space.
FBC has made every effort to keep up with advances in technology with the sound system, video, and computer capabilities. Church services are recorded and shown on the local cable channel every Tuesday at 1:00 pm. Sermons are also uploaded to the church website.
In 1986 an endowment trust fund was established with a generous estate bequest of almost $150,000 from two members of our congregation. The endowment has provided almost $180,000 for capital improvements and funds for ministries beyond the annual church budget. Since its inception, additional donations have increased the endowment to $475,000. The most recent upgrades are a remodeling of the main kitchen and current updating and replacing windows. Renovations to the sanctuary are also being planned.
From 1981 to 2015 FBC sponsored a day care center in the church and Family Center. At the beginning, it was one of the few alternatives in town and an effective service and outreach of the church to the community. However, after continuing financial losses and a need for extensive work to meet changing standards, the daycare was closed just last year.
FBC is currently looking for new ways to serve the community. We have an active bus ministry for the Wednesday night programs using a 15 passenger van and both 14 and 28 passenger buses. These provide transportation for youth and adult group activities as well as transportation for those who otherwise would find it difficult to attend church services and activities.
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