Church History

The First Baptist Church of Bryson City was organized in December, 1877 and early 1878, in a small village called Charleston which later was re-named Bryson City. The roots of the church can be traced to several early churches in the area and numerous individuals. Our tap root was the Holly Springs Church on Kirklands Creek. This small dedicated group of Christians felt their neighbors in the nearby village of Charleston should have a Baptist church. In December 1877, with the assistance of the Cold Springs and Deep Creek Churches, Holly Springs led in the organization of our church. The church was named Charleston Baptist Church but was later changed to Bryson City Baptist Church when the town name was changed. Many years later the name was changed to First Baptist Church.

The organization of the church was due in great measure to the interest of the above named churches and the efforts of Mrs. Mattie Franks Collins and three pioneer preachers of Western North Carolina: Rev. Elias D. Brendle, Rev. W. H. Conner, and Rev. J. S. Smiley. The Rev. Elias Brendle was called as the first pastor. The services were conducted in the old courthouse which was a small frame and log building near the center of the village which also served as the school and the jail.

About 1882, construction began on a school house; when completed the building was used for church services by the Baptists, Methodists, and the Presbyterians. The Baptists and Methodists conducted services once a month and the Presbyterians occasionally. All denominations joined in a union Sunday School. D. K. Collins served as Sunday School Superintendent.

In 1883 the church joined the Tennessee River Baptist Association by letter from the Tuckaseigee Association. About the year 1887, the Rev. Goerge H. Church preached in one of the most far-reaching revivals the church and community had ever known. Shortly thereafter he was called to pastor the Baptist Church and served until 1893. He as a man of great faith and an untiring worker. Under his leadership the Baptists of Bryson City constructed their first building. This was a struggle for the small membership, who demonstrated faith and dedication by their work and sacrificial giving. Some members felt the building was too large, but the pastor showed his faith saying, "we are building for the future as well as for the present needs."

The members united in this great effort to build, for they "had a mind to work". There were two women who gave themselves unreservedly to the task: Mrs. Mary Brendle Franks, daughter of the first pastor, and Mrs. John Sutton. They rode horseback all over Swain County soliciting labor and money for the building. They rode to the Shingles Mill on Alarka Creek and contracted for the shingles for the roof. When the shingles were delivered, the women of the church dipped them in creosote.

In the fall of 1889 the building was completed and the Western Carolina Convention met with the church. A bell which now resides adjacent to the current church was placed in the steeple in 1890. Pledges were made at this time to help finish paying for the building, so that it could be dedicated during the convention session. Many ununsual types of pledges were made; among them, a gift of 176 acres of land contributed by James D. Franks of Franklin. The land was to be sold and the money applied to the payment of the building debt. The property was sold for an excellent price of three dollars an acre.

In 1890 a Women's Missionary Society was organized. Mrs. Mattie Franks Collins was elected the first president. Miss Maggie Franks (Mrs. C. P. Campbell) was elected secretary and Miss Douglas Franks (Mrs. J. L. Gibson) was elected treasurer. The society met regularly and was a great force in helping to build the Sunday School and all other phases of the church work. One Sunday Evening each month the Missionary Society presented a missionary program, always emphasizing the importance of missions at home and abroad.

During the early 1900's, a Baptist Young Peoples Union was organized under the leadership of a progressive pastor. The training received was a great blessing to the young people and the church was strengthened through the years by better trained leaders.

In the mid 1930's the church was blessed with a great Sunday School Revival. Under the leadership of a dedicated and enthusiastic Sunday School Superintendent, Vance A. Browning, the enrollment rose to over 300 with an average attendance of over 250 for several years. The church assisted in strengthening Sunday Schools in most of the churches throughout the Tennessee River Association. During this same period, the Training Union of the church became quite active with an enrollment of almost 200. This organization was also responsible for organizing and sponsoring training unions in many of the churches in the association.

During the 1950's the church began making plans for a building program. The old building had served well with additions and other improvements, but it was becoming inadequate and obsolete.The building had been used for more than 60 years. It was located on a lot presently owned by the Great Smoky Mountain Railway. That first building was torn down in 1954. The last worship service in that building was Sunday night, November 22, 1953. Carroll Gibson led the closing prayer.

The present First Baptist Church building was constructed during the pastorate and under the leadership of the Rev. Joseph G. Miller. Work was begun on the educational wing April 20, 1953 and was completed for the first service--a prayer meeting on Wednesday night, November 28, 1953. Work began on the new auditorium May 24, 1954. Construction cost for all buildings was $125,000. The auditorium was completely renovated in 1970-71. Adjoining property has been added to the church site and plans are underway for future expansion.

Recently the church broke ground on a new fellowship hall. After the 11 a.m. service Sunday, pastor John Tagliarini led church members through a dedication, which included a ceremonial ground breaking. Cost of the construction is estimated at close to $700,000 of which $300,000 has already been raised.

When completed, possibly by spring of 2004, the building will seat around 200 people, quadrupling the current fellowship hall's tight quarters. Tagliarini said the new preschool wing will triple the space of the current offerings for the youngsters and their teachers.

The congregation confirmed its commitment to the project by voting unanimously in favor to build at a recent church meeting.
The current fellowship hall will be remodeled and turned into additional Sunday School rooms and a larger, enhanced area for the choir.
"God doesn't dwell in temples made by hands, and we recognize that," Tagliarini said. "We intend for this to be a tool for ministry, not an end unto itself."

The church music and youth programs became an effective ministry under the leadership of Edward St. John who joined the church in 1975. The music program is now led by J. Gilbert who serves as Minister of Music with Ms. Lori Gilbert as pianist and Dr. Carol Ricketts as organist. Brian and Jennifer Thomas currently serve as Youth Directors.

The church has sponsored two mission programs. The Park View Mission on Lackey Hill was begun in 1955 in a small three room building which was made available rent-free. The mission grew rapidly and about a year later a new mission building was completed. Two lay business men purchased the property and erected the building. For twenty years this mission filled a real need for the many unchurched people in the area.

The Anders Rest Home Mission, now known as Autumn Winds has been a continuous ministry since its opening in 1961. The Sunday School held there has been an effective witness to the elderly of that community.

In August of 1976, our church in cooperation with the Foreign Mission Board sponsored a five-week Stewardship Campaign for Pastor Willie Newman in Rhodesia, Africa.

Most recently, the church has helped with a kindergarten ministry in Romania under the direction of Drs. Ellison and Elizabeth Smith. The Pioneer Club, a Wednesday night program for younger school age children, has undertaken many activities in support of this ministry.

In the fall of 2005 the church dedicated the Family Ministry Center to the work of the Lord. Former pastors and music ministers were present for the special service.

The Family Ministry Center is about 8000 square feet in size and houses a spacious reception hall with seating for 200+, 3 nurseries (1 for 4-5 year olds; 1 for toddlers; and 1 for bed babies), an expansive commercial kitchen and various storage facilities and restrooms. The new center has allowed for expansion in other areas of the church. The pastor's and secretary's offices have been moved to the old nursery facilities which allows for an outside entrance and additional office space.

The church library was recently renovated and expanded by the Stanly Livingston family in memory of their father, an avid reader and former member of the church. The family completely renovated the space, providing beautiful oak shelving to accommodate a growing collection of books and other media. The library was dedicated in January, 2006.

Since 1955 the weekly newsletter "The Herald" has been published and mailed to each family.

Total church membership is now over 500: 400 resident members, 133 non-resident members. New members are continually being added to our church roll.

Twenty three men have served in the pastorate of this church: Elias D. Brendle, John S. Woodard, C. B. Mingus, G. H. Church, C. H. Durham, Jonathan Wood, Rev. Ferrell, Rev. Matheny, T. F. Deitz (served for more than 20 years), W. R. Beach, J. M. Justice, W. D. Studebaker, Dr. R. L. Creal, Nathan Brooks, Carl Rogers, W. H. Covert. W. H. Brown, S. L. Lamm, J. G. Miller, Wayne Slaton, John Bowden, Willie M. Newman and our present pastor: John Tagliarini.