ABOUT FBC OSCEOLA
Our purpose, where we've come from, and where we're headed as a church family
Meet The FBC Osceola Team
SENIOR PASTOR
I’m a paragraph. Double click me or click Edit Text, it's easy.
CHURCH SECRETARY
I’m a paragraph. Double click me or click Edit Text, it's easy.
STUDENT DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATOR
I’m a paragraph. Double click me or click Edit Text, it's easy.
Our previous location, built in Classical-Revival style, became an immediate landmark when it was built in 1915. It was designed by Branson Uzzell and is unique in Mississippi County, featuring tabby brick and a dome similar to those in Jewish synagogues. In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson’s daughter spoke to the women of Osceola here in an effort to enlist their help in the war effort. The building served the congregation until the 1980s when it was sold to a different congregation an later auctioned.
First Baptist Church of Osceola History
The First Baptist Church of Osceola (FBC) has a long and rich history. Organized in 1850, it has the distinction of being the first Baptist church in Mississippi County.The first twenty years FBC met in homes. Around 1870, H.H. Richardson (a missionary from Clear Creek Baptist Association in Illinois) came to Mississippi County and reorganized Osceola Baptist Church. FBC began meeting in the lower floor of the Union Church building on Union St. FBC and other denominations shared the building, meeting on alternate Sundays. It was also used by the Masonic Lodge as a Community Center.On March 30, 1880, FBC purchased a lot on the corner of Broadway and St. John and built a building and parsonage. The first facility was a simple one-room building. By 1889, FBC had grown to 181 members. As growth continued a larger building was planned in February, 1912. Two lots were purchased on the corner of Lee and Pecan Streets. Construction began in 1915 and was completed in September, 1916. The church met at this location until moving into its present facility on May 16,1993. FBC has affiliated with three different associations: The Osceola Baptist Association, Mt. Zion Baptist Association, and since 1928, the Mississippi County Baptist Association. FBC has sponsored three missions which have organized as churches in Osceola: Calvary Baptist Church, Eastside Baptist Church, and Pleasant View Baptist Church.
​
FBC has other active and successful satellite ministries, two of which are a County Jail Bible Study and a Correctional Center Bible Study, both led by men from FBC. In October , 2002, Ben Wells (FBC Deacon) started a bible study in his living room with two men. This group outgrew Ben's living room in a year and a half and moved to a building on the corner of Hale and Walnut Streets. New Creation Outreach Center recently was given a new facility -The 75 year old Rebel Club- remodeled and refurbished for their use. God has greatly blessed this satellite ministry with many souls being led to Jesus Christ. In truth, FBC is one church meeting in two locations. In 2009, a Hispanic Bible Study was started in the building formerly used by New Creation Outreach Center. Our women minister in the local nursing home, schools, fire department, Correctional Center and other worthy causes.
FOLLOWERS OF JESUS MAKING FOLLOWERS OF JESUS
We are committed to being an Acts 1:8 church by striving to reach our community, our country, our state, ou country, and our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves to be the personal witnesses in our community and to support missionaries to go where we cannot go. We are committed to helping the hurting, the hungry, and the hopeless wherever they may be.We stand unapologetically upon the Bible as the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God.