Our History
First Baptist Church of Dexter began in 1884, when seven people met in a home for prayer and for the purpose of organizing a church home. Elder J. W. Smith was preaching.
In 1886, Rev. W.A. Jones was elected as pastor, and in 1889 a church house was built on the south lot of our present church.
Rev. W. G. Reeves was called as the first full time pastor in 1896.
In 1920, a new worship center was planned and erected. Rev. Wayne Byland was the pastor.
Rev. Alton Butler was the pastor when a new education center was built in 1958.
In 1975, the church built a fellowship hall, library, choir room, and office complex. Rev. George Cummins was the pastor.
In 1980, Rev. Duke Tolbert was called as pastor, and in that year members voted to change the name of the church to First Baptist Church of Dexter. A long-range master plan was adopted to purchase several lots, renovate the facility and build a new worship center.
Following a fire in August 1989, the church entered another building program which included an atrium, music complex, and additional education space, completed in 1991.
In 1995, following the death of Rev. Duke Tolbert, Wayne Dismuke became interim pastor, an soon after was called as full time pastor.
In 2002, the church pursued another building project which included the demolition of the old worship center built in 1920. This was replaced by a new building with a fellowship hall, kitchen, education space, new youth center and remodeled facilities for the Small Wonders Day Care.
Ron Wilcoxson was called as pastor in 2005.
Dr. Curtis Porter was called as interim in 2007.
In March of 2008, God brought Dr. Steve Easterwood here as our pastor. First Baptist Church has been blessed with a legacy of faithful leaders and members that have prayed, worked, sacrificed, and believed that the church would continue to grow by serving and honoring God.