| History of the First Baptist Church of Columbus |
| On April 11, 1870 the little town of Columbus, Kansas, was incorporated and almost as soon as the first citizens were settled, a church was organized. The Church was the Baptist Church and the first church in Columbus. On May 20, 1870, there were twelve baptized believers who met to organize a Baptist Church; Elder G.A. Bateman presided at the meeting when the organizing was effected. The first Baptist Sunday School of which there isn't any record was organized in August of 1882, with L.D. Dana as Superintendent. A new frame church building was erected on the original site in 1884. It was a much larger building than the original building. It is recorded with the Register of Deeds office that on February 21, 1884, the Baptist Church was assisted to the extent of $500.00 with a loan for which the Home Mission Society agve to help finance their new building. Later this mortgage, together with others, was assigned to the Kansas Baptist Convention. The records show that the members of the First Baptist Church have always had a deep devotion to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and through a program of missionary spirit gave as generously as they could to both home and foreign missions. Records also show that the church held revivals often, enriching the spiritual life of the individual member and reaching the unsaved. The First Baptist has supported many young Christian people and has assisted in their education. The church has helped many missionaries in their work both overland and over sea. Among them are: Jim and Kathy Yost, Wycliff missionaries. Mike and Jim Stolz, missionaries in Paraguay. Bill and Betty Barrett and sons from First Baptist who were missionaries in Papua New Guinea for 10 or 12 years and supported monthly by First Baptist. First Baptist also gives regularly to Bacone, Indian Christian College and Murror Indain Home in Oklahoma. Down through the years our church buildings have served us well. Never a sacred building but always a Christ believing Assembly. |