On November 21, 1874, Rev. Anderson Clark, a native of South Carolina, organized the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in the small town of Birdsdale, Texas. The Birdsdale community, which preceded the city of Temple, was located near the present location of Sammons Golf Course. Nineteen persons joined together to become charter members of the new church. Initially, the church met in the Birdsdale school house. The church erected its first building about one-half mile from the Birdsdale school house. This first building for the young church was built with lumber which was obtained by swapping corn at the rate of 25 cents per bushel.

The city of Temple was founded in 1881. Shortly after the founding of the city, a cyclone blew down the Baptist church building at Birdsdale. A lot in the new city was given to the church, provided they would build a building on it and move into town. Following a long and heated debate, the church voted to move to the new city of Temple. In the early spring of 1882, a small, one-room building (30x60 feet) was constructed at the corner of North Main Street and Barton Avenue (118 North Main), which is directly across the street in front of the Kyle Hotel. The building was built with materials which were gathered from the remains of the Birdsdale Baptist Church building. At this point, the church changed its name to First Baptist Church of Temple.

Dr. W.R. Maxwell served the church as pastor from 1886 to 1900. In 1895, during his pastorate, a beautiful brick veneer auditorium was built on the same site to replace the little wooden building that had been washed off its blocks when a stand-pipe fell over across the street. In April 1934, the church was reconditioned. The new auditorium served as the church's meeting place until March 6, 1938. On that morning, at the close of the worship service, Dr. C.R. Shirar, pastor, announced his resignation and his intent to take a position in a church in Alexandria, Louisiana. Following the evening service that night, the church building was totally destroyed by fire. There was much indecision on the part of Dr. Shirar as to whether he should go through with his resignation and move. After much prayer, he and the church believed that he should go ahead with his resignation and move.

Three months later, the church called Dr. Grady Metcalf as pastor. Dr. Metcalf became the pastor of a church with no meeting place. He had the task of drawing together a church torn by tragedy and erecting a new church building. The church decided to build a new sanctuary at the corner of North First Street and Barton Avenue (102 West Barton Avenue). This building which is the current sanctuary (Building A) was completed in 1939.

In the early 1950s, the church saw the need for another building, and the Education Building was completed in 1953. The Education Building was occupied the first time on Sunday, November 8, 1953. Sunday school attendance that day was 803, and Training Union attendance was 224. The building was dedicated on November 22, 1953; Sunday school attendance that day was 848.

In 1968 the church purchased the 7-11 building on the corner of Calhoun and North Third, and in 1970 purchased the Texas Bank building on the corner of Barton and North Third. The first building is today an extension of our Children's Building, and the second building contains Sunday school rooms and the Prayer Room.

All phases of the church's ministry began to grow immediately after coming into the new building. Through the years, the Lord has led many souls to be saved and people to be enlisted in service. Also during Dr. Metcalf's 32-year tenure, two missions were established. In the year following his retirement, the church elected Dr. Metcalf to be Pastor Emeritus.

Dr. Ed Stewart was called as pastor in February 1971. He was an energetic leader and a strong preacher. His dedication and earnestness have greatly endeared him and his family to the entire congregation. During his 20-year tenure as pastor, his dynamic leadership was felt in all areas. The quality of music, education, missions, member care, Sunday school, and other programs greatly increased. In 1976, work was completed on the Children's Building. Dr. Stewart retired in 1991 and served as Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1999.

Dr. David Crosby was called to the church in 1991 and served until 1996. He was committed to growing the church through the Sunday school. During his tenure, the church grew from an average of 450 to 700 in attendance through a renewed emphasis on the basics of Sunday school and worship.

In early 1998, Dr. Jerry Carlisle was called to pastor First Baptist Church of Temple. He served until July 2002. He led the church in significant service to the community. One example was members baking and delivering cookies to every business in Temple. During his tenure, the church continued the process of remodeling and upgrading current facilities. In 1999, the church bought the building located at 204 North Main Street; today it still serves as our Youth Building.

In 2001, the church received significant trust funds, including those of Effie Lee Robinson and Clara Mae McKimmey, sisters and members of FBC. The church gratefully acknowledged their generous gift by purchasing the right of way and closing the alley from Barton to Calhoun between North First and North Third Streets and by purchasing the right of way and closing First Street between Barton and Calhoun Avenues for the safety of members and for future growth. The church built the ConneXion, connecting the original building, the Education Building, and the Children's Building.

In October 2003, the church called Rev. Martin Knox as their pastor. The church was renewed through the spiritual experience of 40 Days of Purpose in 2004.

In the spring of 2009, our church took an exciting step of faith, and with God's guidance purchased 138 acres of land in west Temple. This land is at the southeast corner of Pea Ridge Road and FM 2305.

By purchasing this land, we are moving forward in developing a second campus in order to reach more people for Christ and greatly increase our Christian presence in the Greater Temple area and beyond. We invite you to be a part of this bold vision as we build an eternal legacy for God's glory.

The church continues to grow spiritually and numerically. Because of the dedication of its members, the future of First Baptist Church is brighter than ever. Since its founding in 1874 in the community of Birdsdale and move to the new city of Temple in 1882, First Baptist Church continues to serve and minister to the people of Temple.