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 Seven persons met in the home of David Nickens on July 13, 1824 for the purpose of organizing a Negro Baptist Church. The Church was organized under the name of the First Anti-Slavery Baptist Church of Chillicothe, Ohio. The founders were David Nickens, Ruth Nickens, Naomi Nickens, Serena Carter-Nickens, O.N.J. Nickens, James Wilkerson and Fredman Jackson. David Nickens, Having expressed a call to the ministry, was licensed to preach October 9, 1824 and ordained as pastor on March 13, 1825. He served without salary until 1836 when he accepted a call to the Union Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.
The remaining organizers purchased a log cabin on East Second Street in which they worshipped until 1843, when it was replaced with a frame structure on the same site. In 1869, our present building was purchased for three thousand dollars and the name of the church was changed to the First Baptist Church.
Since 1824, First Baptist Church has been under very capable leadership of many dedicated ministers who have greatly influenced its growth and development.
Reverend Jonathan McReynolds along with his wife, Princess and son Jontevian, came to us from Paducah Kentucky. He was installed on March 12, 2000 and served the congregation until October, 2007. Under Pastor McReynolds’ enthusiastic leadership, the church grew and prospered. Through much prayer, praise and fellowship, Pastor McReynolds led us into making great strides toward increasing our membership and improving our physical structure, as well as, financial and most importantly spiritual growth.
Through the years, Deacons, Deaconesses, Trustees, Missionaries, Choirs, Ushers, Guild Girls and general membership have devoted time prayer and hand-on effort in managing the physical as well as spiritual growth of our church. As a result, the Baptistery was completed and dedicated, followed with baptizing and the addition of new members to our church roster. We were also able to purchase the property at 53 West Fourth Street, giving us ownership of adjoining properties east and west of our church. A ground breaking service was held on our 71 West Fourth Street (rear) property, making the way for the second phase of our building program which was completed in October 2002. In 2007 the property at 78 West Fourth Street was purchased and razed to make way for increased parking and the house at 71 West Fourth Street was designated the Nickens Heritage Center.
The First Baptist Church made history on December 12th, 2004. The Church licensed its first two female clergy, Ministers Robin Jones and Eunice Foster. The Church also ordained Lawrence Lipscomb, John Brown, Ralph Brown and Jerry Carpenter and Deacons of the Church.
Though the church is at present (2008) without a spiritual leader, we look back on our history with renewed strength and inspiration. May we continue to do our best to become beacons of hope so that our deeds and accomplishments are noted – not for honor, praise or recognition – but so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven; and in the words of former Pastor Melvin Woodard Sr., let us Thank God for David Nickens whom God employed as an instrument among many to start this branch of Zion 184 years ago.
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