The Vision
The Vision is a weekly newsletter publication that details all the events here at the church. It provides information on upcoming events, a detailed church schedule, Wednesday night supper menu, information about children, youth and adult ministry activities and much more. Keep track of every event in every ministry of the church. Contact Us to receive The Vision via email or click below to download The Vision.
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.
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.
What We Believe...
Inerrancy in completeness of scripture
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
(II Tim. 3:16 (NASB))
"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18–19 (NASB))
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
(II Tim. 3:16 (NASB))
"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18–19 (NASB))
The Virgin Birth
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 1:18 (NASB)
The Trinity
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all."
II Corinthians 13:14 (NASB)
Profession of Faith - Baptism By Immersion Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior followed by believer's baptism - baptism by immersion after salvation.
Statement of Faith Transferring your membership from another church that practices believer's baptism.
Letter Transferring your membership from another Baptist Church. Contact anyone on the ministry team or the church main office for more information on how to join First Baptist Church.
Repent Acknowledge the sin in your life and turn away from it.
Believe Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross as payment for your sins and that he rose from the grave and lives in heaven at the right hand of God.
Confess Acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and as your personal Lord and Savior.
Call Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to give you eternal life.
Pray "Dear God, I know that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross and was raised from the dead. Because I have sinned and need forgiveness, I ask Jesus to come into my life. I acknowledge Him as my Lord and Savior, and I turn away from my sins. Thank You for giving me forgiveness, eternal life, and hope. In Jesus' name, Amen".