1841 Structure
The Baptist came early to the Tennessee frontier, and they built churches in the backwoods. Though Jonesboro was founded in 1779, it was not until 1841 that the Baptist moved their religion in the pioneering town. Following a successful 12 day revival with more than 100 decisions, there developed plans among the Baptist to organize a church.
William Cates was the first pastor. The church began without a meeting house. The members, some 35 strong, met in the homes and in the beautiful groves surrounding the first Tennessee town. By summer, a small shed was built on Spring Street, and it served as the first Jonesboro Baptist Church until a brick structure, still standing on Spring Street, became a more permanent house of worship.
There was considerable rivalry among the denominations in those days. When the Methodists and Presbyterians deserted their church buildings on Spring Street in favor of a newer, more modern structure on Main Street, the Baptist also had their eyes on a downtown church.
1852 Structure
With everyone chipping in, the Jonesborough Baptist built a new house of worship: the present FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, it was opened in 1852. Things looked good for the Baptist of Jonesborough, hardly had the church building been completed before plans for a Baptist school came into focus. Located in the still-standing structure atop Rocky Hill, the school offered everything from reading, spelling, and arithmetic, to moral philosophy, painting, and embroidery. It was the same interest in education which led the Jonesborough Baptist to establish one of the regions first Sunday Schools in the year of 1856.
In 1860 the Civil War erupted, which brought about a great division in the nation, the town, and among the Baptist. Jonesborough residents were torn apart with conviction. Some were Union sympatheizers, others followed the Confederacy. It was then that the Jonesborough Baptist Church lost its African-American members. Though formerly worshiping in the old slave gallery, later removed, the church's African-American members withdrew to organize their own church, a gathering fostered by mother church.
As the war drew to a close in 1865, there was much rejoicing, but that rejoicing was dampened by reconstruction and the possible bankruptcy of the Jonesborough Baptist Church. An old debt came in to view in 1885 and when it was not paid, a suit was filed against the church. A judgement amounting to a mere $167.73 was granted the plaintiff, but the church and its members were broke. The debt could not be paid and the church property was condemned to be sold at public auction. No immediate action was taken, a fund raising drive was launched and $110 was raised. The suit was withdrawn. Just as the future brightened another disaster struck, recovery was painfully slow.
Asiatic Cholera was already rampant in many areas of the United States before it reached Jonesborough in the summer of 1873. The epidemic was so severe in the old town that the physicians advised all citizens to leave and many took their advice. The Jonesborough Baptist Church's pastor remained to make daily visits to the bedsides of his stricken members and friends and he, too, soon died. When the epidemic had run its course, the church faced a rebuilding and once again, good things began to happen. The church underwent extensive remodeling in 1892. After years of effort, a pastorium was built across the street in 1927. The Jonesborough Baptist Church later was renamed to FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, and it all began in the groves surrounding the old Tennessee town.
Stained Glass Window History
First Baptist Church is a church of many unique and historical attributes, one such attribute is the seven stained glass windows. These windows were designed and constructed by an Italian artist from New York and were installed in 1917.
The stained glass windows were given as memorials. The drive for the windows came from John D. Cox and his sister, Virginia Cox. It was during the enlargement of the sanctuary on the east that the windows were to become a part of the Jonesborough Baptist Church.
Each window is fashioned of thick stained glass with each section put together with molten lead. The windows are considered to be priceless, each is insured at $ 125,000.00.
Our seven stained glass windows have more than a money value to everyone. The "Christ in the Garden" window is one of only three in the world. The other two windows of "Christ in the Garden" have locations in the states of Pennsylvania and Hawaii.
The seven stained glass windows consist of Ruth, Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist, The Ascension of Christ, Christ and the Lamb, The Empty Tomb, The Angel, and Christ in the Garden.
