Since 1880, First Baptist Church of Middleton, Tennessee has been serving Jesus Christ in our community, in Hardeman County, West Tennessee, and around the world! We hope that you will take a moment to learn about our history and know that God is doing great things right now in the life of our church!
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1880
First Baptist Church was organized with thirteen charter members that met alternately with the Methodist Church in their building.
Oct 17, 1910
The old Church of Christ building was purchased from John D. Sasser, Jr., in the amount of $500.00.
1914
The church began providing a home for the pastor with a frame house on the Sasser property.
May 15, 1915
One room frame building used for services was destroyed by a storm and later rebuilt.
1929
Full time preaching began.
Easter, 1931
One room frame building burned. New church building was built – formerly Fred’s Pharmacy
1943
Six Sunday School rooms and a baptistry were added to the back of the building.
1945
Rooms were added to the sides to accommodate further discipleship rooms.
1946
The Williams Bass home was purchased.
1954
Sunday School and Training Union were departmentalized and the annex on Main Street was purchased to accommodate these classes.
1957
The William Bass home was sold back to him when the present parsonage was built.
Sep 1961
Construction on our present location began.
Jul 29, 1962
First church services were held at our present location.
Oct 6, 1976
The church authorized the construction of an addition to the parsonage, which included a bedroom, bath, utility room, double carport, and the enlargement of the den and kitchen.
Feb 9, 1983
The church voted to build an Educational-Activities Building. This building later became known as the Family Life Center.
Jul 28, 1985
The fourth Sunday of July was set aside as our Annual Homecoming Day with this being our first Homecoming.
July,1986
We participated with the community in the “Homecoming 86” activities across the state of Tennessee.
1986
The year we began Church Pictorial Directories – Directories made also in 1989,1992,1995,2000,2004, and 2008.
Mar 9, 1989
The church adopted the first Constitution and By-Laws and in 2004 two amendments were made-one concerning The Lord’s Supper and the other concerning Trustees.
Jul 25, 1991
Construction began on our Sanctuary, which was preceded by a groundbreaking ceremony on July 21.
Mar 1, 1992
First service in the new sanctuary.
Aug.15,1997
First Baptist Church officially incorporated as a non-profit organization as First Baptist Church of Middleton, TN, Inc.
Nov.30, 1999
Purchased a Baby Grand Piano for the Sanctuary.
Mar 14,2004
Purchased 2004 Chevy Express 15 passenger van.
Dec 8, 2004
The church voted to accept a donation of land from John and Jane Neely to the north of our property line. This added 2.73 acres to the church property.
July 24,2005
We celebrated 125 years during our annual Homecoming. Bro. Robert E. Tyson, Sr. was our guest speaker. Former pastors in attendance were Bro. Jerald Palmer, Bro. Joe Littlefield, and Bro. Bill Whitman.
Aug.19,2005
Church sustained damages in a lightning storm which affected the office computer, organ, and Fire Alarm System.
Oct.5,2005
Church approved purchase of an Allen Protege Organ using funds from Organ Fund along with reimbursement funds from our insurance company. Payment made on Oct. 19, 2005.
Dec.7,2005
Church approved the installation of a Multi-Media Projection System for worship services and the renovation of a balcony section to house the equipment.
Mar 7, 2007
Church approved the formation of our website known as middletonfbc.org.
Dec. 5, 2007
Upgrading the sound system in the Sanctuary.
Aug.6, 2008
Covered walkway and columns of the educational building were covered with vinyl siding and new lighting installed.
Feb.4,2009
Church approved the publication of a cookbook by our Library Committee as a not-for-profit project to be sold at cost.
June 7,2009
Church adopted first Core Mission, Vision, and Core Values as presented by The Long Range Planning Commitee under the leadership of Dr. Eric L. Taylor.
Aug. 2009
Windows in the parsonage were replaced.
Sept.2, 2009
Approved the purchase of the 2008 Baptist Hymnal
Sept.13-16, 2009
Participated with Hardeman Association in the “On Mission Celebration”
Jan. 6, 2010
Church approved an estimated cost of $60,000.00 for renovations to the parsonage and also voted to purchase a 25 passenger bus.
Feb.24, 2010
New bus arrived on the church field – delivered by Carpenter Bus Sales in Nashville.
May 2010
Remodeled interior of parsonage.
April 7,2010
New church sign installed and balance paid on the purchase to High Profile Signs.
July 25,2010
Celebrated 130th anniversary of First Baptist with special guests, Henry “Greg” Simpson, Tim Simpson, James Pulliam and The Golden Sounds. Steve McKee, former Youth Minister, preached the morning message. Steve resigned his position to become the pastor of Pocahontas First Baptist.
Nov. 2011
Construction began on exterior renovations to the Family Life Center which were presented to the church on 6-2-10. Front of the building bricked and new canopies were added across the front and the right side of the building.
July 28, 2012
Hosted a Women’s Conference at our church.
August 5, 2013
Senior Adults attended the Senior Adult Extravaganza at Union University
December 1, 2015
WMU held their Christmas luncheon at Noon to great acclaim and celebration.
April 16, 2017
Celebrated the Risen Savior with an Easter Sunrise Service led by Bro. Sam Cox, Pastor
February 25 – 27, 2018
Revival services held with Roc Collins of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board as special speaker.
March 2020
Global pandemic shuts down in-person worship at First Baptist Church. Regular services would not resume until much later in the year.
July 25, 2021
Homecoming services held celebrating the 140th Anniversary of the church (held in 2021 due to the global pandemic). Dr. Robert Tyson was the guest speaker.
October 14-16, 2024
Vacation Bible School is successfully held at First Baptist for the first time in many years. 14 children participated during this special Fall Break Bible School.
January 2025
25 seat passenger bus sold back to Carpenter Bus Sales, with 2004 Chevrolet van rehabilitated for use of the church
February 12, 2025
Cherlyn Lanier retires from her position as church secretary having served over 41 years in the position.
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Our Pastors
This is an incomplete list and will be updated as information becomes available.
Rev. E. Z. Newsome – 1910-1912
Rev. Nafe – 1912-1917
Rev. J.W. Carmack – 1917-1919
Rev. J.T. Jenkins – 1919-1922
Rev. Wolfe – 1922-1925
Rev. J.L. Courson – 1928-1930
Rev. C.M. Wilbanks – 1930-1934
Rev. A.B. Jones – 1934-1936
Rev. Carl Barrett – 1936-1942
Rev. A.L. Mays – 1942
Rev. Foy Huckabee – 1942-1950
Rev. Paul Harlan – 1950-1951
Rev. B.F. McIlwain – 1951-1954
Rev. H. Jerold Palmer – 1954-1958
Rev. Joe D. Littlefield – 1958-1963
Rev. H.H. Hurst – 1963-1965
Rev. Bill Wells – 1965-1970
Rev. John D. Skiles – 1970-1974
Bro. W.W. Clark – Jan-May 1975 (Interim)
Bro. James Byington – 1975-1979
Bro. Henry Inmon – 1980-1981
Bro C.E. “Bill” Whitman – 1981-1988
Bo. Bill Whitlow – Feb-Jul 1988 (Interim)
Bro George D. DeRousse – 1988-1993
Bro Bill Whitlow – May-Jun 1993 (Interim)
Bro. Robert E. Tyson, Sr. – 1993-2000
Dr. Herbert R. Higdon – 2000-2002 (Interim)
Dr. Paul Clark – Mar-Apr 2001 (Interim)
Dr. Eric Taylor – 2002-2009
Bro. Jerry Woods – Jan-Aug 2010 (Interim)
Dr. Kenneth P. Story – Sep 2010-Mar 2011 (Interim)
Bro. Timothy Freeny – 2011-2014
Bro. Samuel Cox – 2014-2022
Dr. Frank Crawford – Oct 2023-May 2024
Rev. Matthew C. Jones – June 2024-present
Our Music Ministers
Wynes Jacobs
Booker Jacobs
Will Scott
George Whaley
James Pulliam
Joe Hunt Clifft
Joe Joslin (ended tenure in 1966)
George Whaley (served as Chorister)
Danny Moss – 1969-1972
David Caldwell – Feb-Jul 1973
Henry “Greg” Simpson – 1974-1981 (Entered Union University)
Dean Armour – Jan-Jul 1982
Hudson Webb – Jul-Nov 1982
Jeff Kinter – Nov 1982-Dec 1983 (Entered New Orleans Seminary)
Hudson Webb – 1984-1985
James Pulliam – 1983-1986
Donnie Sipes – March 2, 1986-present
Our Youth Directors
Hudson Webb
Loyd Locke
Mike and Donna Stigall
Donnie Sipes
Greg Moore
Randy Bishop
Cindy Pulse
Steve McKee
Kevin Rinehart – 1st Paid Youth Director
Steve McKee
Jeff Kennamore
Joshua Cox
Bobby Skinner
Tim Smith
Paul Dowty