First Baptist Church (Panama City, Florida)

The first sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Panama City

Before First Baptist Church of Panama City was built, early residents of Panama City worshipped in a one-room schoolhouse with other denominations. First Baptist Church was started in 1908, and the first pastor was F. H. Poston. H. S. Howard, who served from September 1909 until June 1911. W.N. Swain served as pastor of the church from 1914 to 1916. the Rev. W. Frank Moore served as pastor from 1917 to 1919. From 1919 to 1921, Rev. J. P. B. Fieldman was pastor of the church. Rev. James L. Folsom served as pastor from 1921 to 1923. From March 16, 1926 to November 1929, W. A. Burns served as senior pastor for the church. He moved the church from its first location to a more stately location. Cecil S. Wood was the next pastor from 1930 to 1931. From July 1931 until May 1949, E. D. McDaniel was pastor and led the church through the days of the Great Depression; he also began to record the history of the church.[2] In 1949, Dr. Julius H. Avery became pastor serving for 18 years until 1965. Rev. Bill G. Hickem assumed the pastorate on March 1, 1966 and served until his resignation in 1974. That same year, Thomas H. Stone accepted the call to be the pastor following Hickem's resignation and served until 1975. From 1975 to 1978, Ben L. Peacock was the pastor. On February 6 of that year, N. B. Langford became the church's 14th pastor and served for almost 20 years until his retirement in 1997. Dr. Craig Conner assumed the current position following the death of Langford in 1998.

First Baptist Church hosts ministries for all age groups, including a music ministry, discipleship groups, The Most Excellent Way (a group to help those with addiction abuse problems), and FAITH evangelism training.[8] The church leads missions, administers a separate church service in Spanish, led by Hugh Redmon,[9] and broadcasts television ministries.[10]

• Centennial publication