WHO WE ARE - Our Roots

The First Baptist Church of Lander was established in 1905, when seventeen people met in the Odd Fellows Hall with representatives of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. The congregation worshiped in several different places over the next three years including a room above the local blacksmith shop.

The first church building was started in 1907 with pledges, a gift and a loan. Our first service in the new church was in 1908. Several years later, pews were purchased and an educational wing was added. History records quite a struggle during the first years, but faith and dedication made the Church self-supporting in 1945.

Through God's blessing, First Baptist Church prospered in faith and numbers over the next few years. Two additional building lots adjacent to the Church and on the corner of Third Street and Sweetwater Street were purchased in 1954. A building fund was started in 1970 and ground was broken for our current Church building in 1976. Our first service in the new Church was in 1977 and the mortgage was retired in 1986.

During the past three or four years, our Church has been updated with a new roof, new furnace/air conditioners, interior painting, carpet, new stage, new lighting and a sound system.

We observed our 100 th Anniversary in 2005, with a great celebration of God's faithfulness to our Church. God has led 34 pastors to our Church in our 102 year history and 5 pastors over the past 38 years. Each one has brought his talents and gifts that have led to our spiritual growth and desire to follow God's will.