History of First Baptist Church, Marianna

The First Baptist Church of Marianna was begun 125 years ago, summer of 1881, with seven people in the parlor of the M.L. Dekle home, (now the Brunner-Dekle home at 2919 Green Street). Church services were first held in the Jackson County Courthouse. A wooden building was erected in 1890, at a cost of $1,600, on land donated by Mr. Dekle. This is now the present site of the Wachovia Bank Drive-in facility. The beautiful little church was destroyed by fire in 1916. For many years baptismal services were held at the Chipola River.

A new building and pastorium were completed on the present site in 1921 on land also donated by Mr. Dekle. The new church and pastorium cost $75,000.

As told by an early member, the church was only completed from the basement to the floor of the sanctuary, which was covered with tar-paper. For some time the Sunday School classes were held in the basement and the church services were held across the street in the Jackson County School Board building.

When the sanctuary was completed, cane bottom chairs and an old pump organ were used for many years before the pews, pulpit furniture and pipe organ were added.

There were many hard times during those years, but the church grew, holding all activities of the church in the basement and sanctuary levels of the building. The pastor lived next door for many years.

In 1952 the present Dekle Sunday School Building was completed, and in 1955 the church built a pastorium on North Jefferson Street and air conditioned both the sanctuary and the Sunday School Building.

The little silver bell, which was rung by Mr. M.L. Dekle to call the Sunday School to order for the forty-three years he served as Sunday School Superintendent, may be seen in the small alcove in the Dekle Auditorium.

In 1962 a second educational building, the Burns Building, was built west of the sanctuary and given this name in honor of a retired minister, Dr. and Mrs. W.A. Burns. They were long-time faithful members.

The present sanctuary was totally renovated in 1972, with a new baptistery, choir loft, pews, pulpit furniture, a pipe organ, decorative lighting installed, and the dome re-opened and lighted. Green carpeting was installed, with matching velvet baptistery curtains and pew cushions. The stained glass was cleaned and repaired. A redecorating project was done in 1995.

The Family Life Center, built in 1983, offers additional educational space and a dining room. This dining room hosts many church receptions, Wednesday evening suppers and serves as an auditorium for the more casual services.
In 1979 an anonymous donor provided the Schulmerich Carillon in honor of Mr. Roy Beall, a longtime Sunday School teacher, church member, and area philanthropist. The carillon system’s capacity was later increased by the donor to make it one of the finest carillons in the South. The carillon chimes the hour daily and sends religious music across Marianna three times a day.

In addition to growth from seven people to 1,100 resident members, the church was instrumental in starting missions, which later developed into Trinity Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church, Eastside Baptist Church and New Hope Baptist Church.

Over the years First Baptist has expanded to the north side of Clinton Street providing additional paved parking, bus storage, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. Our current youth facility, The Lighthouse, came with the purchase and renovation of the old Greyhound Bus Station. The Lighthouse faces Caledonia Street.

The church is very mission minded. Local, State, North American, and International Missions and Ministry are expanded through the generosity of the people here at First Baptist Church. Our mission giving is administered through the Chipola Baptist Association, Florida Baptist Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. One particularly touching ceremony providing opportunity for gift giving is done during the Christmas Season. For over forty years now, one brings their gift to a manger stationed by a Christmas Tree to the front of the sanctuary, then initiates the lighting of a single bulb on the tree as representation of sending God’s light into all the world. Giving is done that mankind of every tribe, every tongue, every people group, and every nation may know Him. The 2007 Missions Emphasis Goal is to give the amount to support one missionary family for a year. This emphasis, Lottie Moon Missions, is named for an International Missionary having had great impact on our Southern Baptist heritage.

First Baptist Church currently has 810 resident members and another 90 non-resident members, providing Bible study and spiritual growth opportunity for all ages.

Everyone is welcome and invited to come worship here at First Baptist Church, your place for family, friends, and faith. Our people are warm, caring, praying, worshipful people who love the Lord.