First Baptist Church in Canadian, TX was first established in 1894. In the first year, worship services were held in the First Presbyterian Church, located at 6th & Purcell. As a Sunday School was organized, the church began to meet in the "Opera House" on Main Street, which was located across from the courthouse. Eventually Canadian Baptist Academy, an affiliate of Baylor University, was built on the sight of the present Middle School, all services were held there.
Due to increasing membership, construction of a new church began. On October 5, 1911, a red brick church located at 6th & Nelson was dedicated. Ladies of the church raised money for church projects by dressmaking, quilting, serving chicken pie suppers, and having cooked food sales. Money earned was used to purchase pews and carpet. The church was debt free upon dedication.
In 1949 , the building was expanded with a basement and a two story addition, 5,400 square feet, and a new heating system for the entire building at a cost of $30,000. This property was eventually sold to the Church of Christ in 1955 for $12,000.
Increasing membership and lack of space at the present location, land was purchased at 7th & Main, the present site of the church. Ground breaking was held in 1953. In 1954, the Fellowship Hall, basement, and education wing were completed and dedicated. Worship services were held in the Fellowship Hall. In 1959, construction of the Bell Tower, offices, and sanctuary began. Dedication for this addition was held in 1960.
First Baptist Church in Canadian, TX was first established in 1894. In the first year, worship services were held in the First Presbyterian Church, located at 6th & Purcell. As a Sunday School was organized, the church began to meet in the "Opera House" on Main Street, which was located across from the courthouse. Eventually Canadian Baptist Academy, an affiliate of Baylor University, was built on the sight of the present Middle School, all services were held there.
Due to increasing membership, construction of a new church began. On October 5, 1911, a red brick church located at 6th & Nelson was dedicated. Ladies of the church raised money for church projects by dressmaking, quilting, serving chicken pie suppers, and having cooked food sales. Money earned was used to purchase pews and carpet. The church was debt free upon dedication.
In 1949 , the building was expanded with a basement and a two story addition, 5,400 square feet, and a new heating system for the entire building at a cost of $30,000. This property was eventually sold to the Church of Christ in 1955 for $12,000.
Increasing membership and lack of space at the present location, land was purchased at 7th & Main, the present site of the church. Ground breaking was held in 1953. In 1954, the Fellowship Hall, basement, and education wing were completed and dedicated. Worship services were held in the Fellowship Hall. In 1959, construction of the Bell Tower, offices, and sanctuary began. Dedication for this addition was held in 1960.