A BRIEF HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NEW ALBANY, INDIANA

In January, 1820, a delegation from the Silver Creek Baptist Church helped organize the First Baptist Church of New Albany, Indiana. Its first leader was Seth Woodruff, a "tavern keeper, plasterer, bricklayer, associate judge, justice of the peace; almost everything required by a new country and a new town." At first, the church met in his tavern, with itinerant preachers leading the services. In 1826 Woodruff was ordained and became their first pastor, a position he held until his death twenty-five years later.

In the 1820's and '30's an anti-missionary movement made significant inroads among Baptists in this area. In 1835 First Baptist experienced the disruptive effects of this movement. Forty-three members withdrew and formed the Park Christian Church. The two congregations shared the building for about a year, when it was decided to auction the building with only the two congregations allowed to bid. The Baptists secured the building for $1010.00.

In 1844, thirteen members of First Baptist were dismissed to start the Second Baptist Church. The split weakened First Baptist, and Second Baptist proved too small to be effective. In 1846 Second Baptist disbanded and most members reunited with First Baptist. In 1848, because of the firing of a pastor, several members of First Baptist left to start a new church. They organized the Bank Street Baptist Church and called the Rev. George Webster, who had been fired by First Baptist, as their pastor. The members of Second Baptist who had not reunited with First Baptist joined Bank Street. Many from First Baptist eventually joined Bank Street.

In 1853, First Baptist's building burned and was not rebuilt. The church met irregularly until 1878, when the Rev. William Hildreth led the remnants to join Bank Street and to deed all properties held in the name of First Baptist to Bank Street. Until 1921 there was no First Baptist Church in New Albany. Growth at Bank Street under Rev. Hildreth necessitated a larger facility. In 1878 they sold their building and began construction of a new one on E. Fourth Street. It was dedicated on January 4,1880, as the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Dr. John A. Broadus of Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville preached the dedicatory sermon.

The sanctuary of Tabernacle Baptist seated 800 and for many years was filled to capacity at every service. In 1888 a group from Tabernacle started a mission which became the Culbertson Avenue Baptist Church (now Culbertson Baptist Church). Worship continued on Fourth Street until 1920. Changes in the neighborhood made the location no longer desirable for a church. There must have also been a significant loss of membership, because their next facility seated closer to 250 than 800.

In January, 1921, Tabernacle sold its building and property and in March of that year purchased the building owned by the Third Presbyterian Church at the corner of Ninth and Spring Streets. This building had been erected by the Presbyterians in 1868. After moving to the Spring Street location, Tabernacle Baptist took back the name First Baptist Church.

In 1932 the building facing E. Ninth Street at the rear of the church was bought and used as a parsonage and Sunday School until 1947, when property on E. Elm Street was purchased for a parsonage. It was then converted into office and classroom space. This building is now gone. The Elm Street parsonage was bought during the pastorate of the Rev. George W. Hurt, who had come in 1945. Rev. Hurt was popular with men and brought many husbands into the church. He also had a successful radio program. He left First Baptist in 1951 to become an Area Minister for Indiana Baptists.

The Rev. Jesse McKeny became pastor early in 1952. In October of that year, members from First Baptist and Culbertson Avenue Baptist organized a mission, which is now the State Street Baptist Church. Seeing the need for a modern educational building, in May, 1954, the church authorized the Trustees to proceed with a bond issue for that purpose. Construction began in January, 1955, and the building was dedicated on October 16 of that year. After serving for seventeen years, Rev. McKeny retired in April, 1970.

Later in 1970 the Rev. Kenneth Partridge began a fruitful five-year pastorate. He started a successful afternoon program for neighborhood youth. A new parsonage was purchased in the Oakwood subdivision of New Albany. He left New Albany to serve in Maine, both as a pastor and as a denominational worker. He is presently an Area Minister in that state.

The Rev. Kenneth Stout was called in 1976 as the next pastor of First Baptist. After five years of service here, he went on to a successful pastorate in Vincennes, Indiana, and now works for the M&M Board of American Baptists in New York.

The Rev. Roy Owen Branam served First Baptist from 1981 to '85. It proved to be a difficult period for the church. In 1985 the Rev. Bryan T. Clemens was called as pastor. He served First Baptist well and helped heal many wounds in the congregation. He ended his work here in October, 1988.

The Rev. Randy Smith was then succeeded by Rev. Dale Raines. The church has experienced some of the problems that have been a part of the church's history. In spite of those difficulties, the present membership is convinced that some of First Baptist Church's brightest days lie ahead of it.