First Baptist Church was organized in 1816 under the direction of Silas Noel. In the beginning years it was
called the Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Frankfort. At this time the church could not support a full-
time minister and various ministers severed the congregation. Some credit John Taylor with being the first
minister; however, he only preached on occasion. On February 22, 1817, Henry Toler became the first pastor.
 He resigned in March of 1818 again leaving the church without a permanent minister.

At this time the congregation meet at various locations; on the courthouse square, in other's homes and
at the State Capitol. In 1818 the House of Public Worship was made available and remained  their home for
almost seven years.

The second pastor, serving from 1818 to 1819 was Jacob Creath.  Philip Slater Fall served the church from
1821 to 1824.  Later came Theodrick Bouleware and Porter Clay, although Silas Noel had remained the chief
pastor through 1836.

In 1827 it was decided to purchase a lot and build the first Baptist church within the city limits of Frankfort. A
lot was purchased from Henry and Ann Crittenden on Lewis Street and a church was built. On December 6,
1867 a fire completely destroyed the church.  This property was sold to Isham Dudley on April 1, 1869 and
and the church relocated to its present site on St. Clair Street.

During the time prior to the Civil War various ministers preached at First Baptist; some were well-known ministers
and others little is known. After Noel moved to Lexington George Blackburn served; then came James Webb.
George Sedwick served one and one half years; William Hurley served about eighteen months and James M.
Frost served a short stint.  Abner Goodell came to First Baptist in February of 1844 and resigned after three years
because of ill health. Cadwallader Lewis served for a short time from March of 1847 to September of that year.
John W. Goodman, Alexander Macey, Andrew Broaddus, Y. R. Pitts and J. B. Tharp would follow. Rev. Thomas
McKee, Dr. Newton Porter and W. S. Jermane served during the war years.

The war was over, property was purchased on St. Clair and contract for a new church on the present location went
to Leo Oberwarth. The church would have six more ministers before the turn of the century. In September 1868 Lyman
W. Seeley, preached at Frankfort for the first time. Green Clay Smith in 1872, James M. Lewis, George F. Bagby,
in 1884; William C. Taylor would follow in 1890. And, on January 1, 1898 Maldon B. Adams became the pastor.
He was highly motivated and in two years First Baptist was debt free and a one of several additions to the church
was completed.

Other ministers that served First Baptist were: Frederick W. Eberhardt, Fred Brown, James T. McGlothlin, Chesterfield
Turner, Ross E. Dillon, Dr. Frederick T. Moffett, Sr., Dr. Herman Bowers, Billy G. Hurt and Mark Hopper.