On November 6, 1852 a group of Baptists met in the home of William McNutt to consider plans for organization. The church was formally organized on December 16, 1852 with twelve families as charter members of the First Baptist Church of Momence. The very next year, 1853, a small white church building could be found at the corner of Range (now Dixie Highway) and Third Street.
Through the first 50 years the church saw many struggles. The strong faith of a few persisted and, by the turn of the century, the congregation had outgrown the original building and a new church was built in 1902 in the same location. The treasured little white church-building was moved aside into an adjoining alley.
Through the years the gospel message reached out from the corner of Third and Dixie Highway, but also from both Castleon Sunday School, which operated five miles east of town and Parish Chapel which served those living on the south side of the river.
The next fifty years brought war, The Great Depression, and the roaring twenties. FBC Momence’s faithful witness remained a constant through these trying times and many were saved.
Following our centennial year in 1952 the church continued to grow both in membership and in spirit until, in the early 1960’s, it became evident that the church building and the two adjacent houses purchased as annexes were not adequate to house the large congregation.
In 1966 building plans were drawn up. In 1969 First Baptist laid the cornerstone at a new location southwest of town. The congregation began holding services in the new building in 1970, including a week-long celebration dedicating the new building.
Once in the new building, exciting new things began happening and they continue to happen. God is moving mightily here at FBC Momence. It is a great place to invest your life and ministry!