HIStory

The First Baptist Church of Cooper was organized in August, 1875, by Rev. Albert Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Paris. Thirteen of this original group came from Craig Prairie church and four from the Klondike (Pleasant Grove) Church. The Church joined North Sulphur Association and remained a member of that body until 1887 when she joined the newly formed Delta County Association, staying until it disbanded in 1932 and then joining the Rehoboth Association.

In 1880, J. C. Price became her pastor with a membership of 51. B. J. Smith became pastor in 1882.

In 1885, the membership had grown to 75 and J. Q. A. Alford was pastor.

In 1890, the membership dropped to only 25.

The membership had increased to 45 in 1895 when H. D. -Heath was pastor. The church was only 4th time until 1896 when she went half time.

A Sunday School was organized by James Patteson in 1896 with five adults and six children.

J. T. Gillespie became pastor in 1901 and the Women's work had its first permanent organization in 1902. Mrs. W. G. Ellington was the first president. In 1903, W. L. Crain became pastor and there was a total of 41 members with 35 enrolled in Sunday School. Other pastors of the early years include H. G. York, J. W. Hargrove, J. R. Fields and D. Y. Bagby.

In 1912, during the pastorate of J.C. McClain, theYoung People's work was organized. The church became full time in 1912 at which time a new building was erected. The membership grew rapidly and in 1916, when W. H. Horton was pastor, it totaled 287. Other pastors of recent years were J. D. Allen, J. A. Kidd, J. C. Newman, R. L. Johnson, G. W. Metcalf, R. E Streetman, L. C. Lester and the present .pastor, D. H .. Bonner.

It was during R. E. Streetman's pastorate that a building fund was started and continued through the pastorate of L. C. Lester. This was the groundwork of all you see today. Special credit is due both these former pastors, for it was • through them and their far-sighted , programs that our new church home today is a reality.

D. H. Bonner became our pastor in March, 1946. At that time the building fund amounted to some $16,500.00. Our new church home was erected at a cost of some $140,000, of which $30,000 were borrowed; the other $110,000.00 has been brought into God's Storehouse by the membership and friends. The membership today is 821.

Our Pastors

1880-1882 J.C. Price

1882-1885 B.J. Smith

1885-1895 J.Q.A. Alford

1895-1900 H.D. Heath

1901-1903 J.B. Gillespie

1903- W.L. Crain

H.G. York

J. W. Hargrove

J.R. Fields

D.Y. Bagby

1909-1915 J.C. McClain

1915-1920 W.H. Horton

1902-1921 J.D. Allen

1922-1927 J.A. Kidd

1928-1929 J.C. Newman

1929-1931 R. L. Johnson

1931-1934 G.W. Metcalf

1934-1939 R. E. Streetman

1939-1946 L. C. Lester

1946-1950 D.H. Bonner

1950-1953 Jim Cole

1954-1958 Glenn W. Hayden

1958-1962 Robert Jenkins

1963-1966 Bob I. Johnson

1967-1994 Richard D. Tatum

1995-2002 Lynn Holly

2002-2003 Bill Cathey

2003-Present Johnny Witherspoon