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In 1889 Middlesboro consisted of dirt roads that ran through mud puddles and swamps. There were no permanent buildings, streets, or sidewalks. The town's founder, Alexander A. Arthur, and several wealthy British investors  were attempting to make their fortunes by mining coal from the surrounding mountains. Along with the development of Middlesboro came the organization of several churches. A total of eight churches were begun in the city during the year 1889. On September 23 a group of local Middlesboro residents met in the law office of Judge J. R. Sampson to organize the First Baptist Church. Ten of those who gathered that day became charter members of the church.
The first church building was constructed on the corner of Chester Avenue and 20th Street. Several other churches were erected close by and the area became known as "Church Row." Middlesboro First Baptist Church was completed in March 1890. This wooden building remained the place of worship for the congregation for the next twenty five years, when the church decided to relocate to its present location on Cumberland Avenue.
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| 1889-1890 |
R. C. Medaris |
| 1890-1892 |
William Shelton |
| 1892 |
Everette Gill |
| 1893-1897 |
W. A. Borum |
| 1897-1898 |
J. B. Holly |
| 1898-1900 |
G. W. Perryman |
| 1901-1910 |
C. M. Reid |
| 1911-1920 |
J. M. Roddy |
| 1921-1925 |
Sam P. Martin |
| 1925-1928 |
E. Frank Adams |
| 1928-1937 |
Selsus E. Tull |
| 1938-1950 |
J. Marvin Adams |
| 1950-1951 |
R. Truett Miller |
| 1951-1956 |
Wendell H. Rone |
| 1957-1959 |
Alastair C. Walker |
| 1959-1964 |
James C. Coates |
| 1964-1975 |
R. Truett Miller |
| 1976-1983 |
John E. Pennington |
| 1984-1993 |
Billy L. Daniel |
| 1993-1998 |
Jeff Roberts |
| 1999-2006 |
Chuck Summers |
The pastors taken from a list found in the "Officers, Organizations, and Committees" booklet written in 1984, with more exact dates taken from the bound church bulletins, 1945-1977.For an incomplete list of associate pastors, education, youth and music ministers, CLICK HERE |
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 In 1914 plans for a new church were drafted. The building was completed in 1917. A capacity crowd gathered in the sanctuary for the dedication sermon. Rapid growth of the church in the 1920s resulted in the need for additional Sunday School rooms. The educational building was completed in 1929. Since then, there have been numerous other renovations and additions made to the church.
For over a century First Baptist Church of Middlesboro has sought to be "salt and light" to the community and surrounding area. The church has established a number of mission churches, sent out missionaries and mission teams, and been involved in many service projects in the community. The church has a very rich heritage but has no intention of resting on its record. First Baptist Church remains a vibrant community of faith dedicated to fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). We look to the future with excitement and eagerness to fulfill the mission God has given us.
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PO Box 839