1877

The Wildcat Thicket did not welcome growth. Cultivation was difficult. Much of the land was filled with dense thicket that lured wild animals and outlaws alike, but as the cultivation of the thicket emerged so did the gospel witness. Baptists gathered for worship on Sunday, January 7, 1877 at the Burns School House as Smyrna Baptist Church of Christ with Martin Gentry as the first pastor. During her first year, the church baptized eight people and partnered with sister churches for ministry and mission. 

1897

Settlers in the area named the community Trenton in 1881. Under the leadership of J. W. Connelly, the church changed her name to First Baptist Church of Trenton in 1886. By God’s grace in 1897, First Baptist Church erected a new building in town. Church members like, Aunt Duffey Blanton, road horseback through the countryside to raise funds for the new building. 

1930

Under the leadership of Robert Fling, First Baptist Church’s youngest pastor at age 19, the Lord directed First Baptist Church to plant churches in New York City. Pastor Fling would leave Fannin County in the mid-1930s with his new bride, Helen, to reach Germany for Jesus. 

1954

At 2:00 a.m. on November 29, 1953, First Baptist Church burned twenty-eight days after Fred Thomas had resigned as pastor. Through the Lord’s kindness, Pastor Thomas returned to pastor the church through the transition. On July 1, 1954 the church celebrated Victory Sunday, a return to new building with 11 baptisms. The Trenton community rallied to fundraise for the new building. Throughout the church’s history, the community has shared resources and celebrated Jesus together in many other ways. 



1962

The kingdom impact of First Baptist Church expanded around the world as God in his providence moved families from Trenton. In 1962, Thomas Norman, a son of Lee & Hazel Norman, planted churches in Colombia with the International Mission Board. The Primera Iglesia Bautista in Manizales is still thriving today. During these decades a generation of future Trenton-raised ministers were impacted by lay leaders like Allan Cummings. More recently in 1998, another Trenton-raised man moved his family to make much of Jesus in Europe and now serves as a pastor in the United States. 

1986

Following the ministry of his predecessors, Pastor James Henry continued to lead First Baptist Church toward mission and ministry. Throughout his tenure, he led the church to care for the needy through our food pantry, promote visitation, and advocate for moral purity in society. 



2000

First Baptist Church enjoyed a season of numerical growth in the early 2000s under the leadership of Steve Holland. By God’s grace, this numerical growth lead to unique ministry opportunities in Trenton such as a Spanish language Sunday School class and the building of the Family Life Center for community engagement. Joshua Crutchfield lead the church towards hopeful health in the early 2010s. 



2025

Late 2019 & early 2020 may be one of the most difficult seasons in recent memory for First Baptist Church: embezzlement & Covid-19. In God’s kindness, he preserved a remnant for his glory and our good. Under Pastor Jason’s leadership since September 2021, the Lord is shaping us to be everyday people celebrating Jesus in community, who make much of Jesus by making disciples who make disciples for his glory.