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.

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, the Young People's work was organized. In 1912 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 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.

There has been so much more wonderful work of the Lord at our church since then.  You should come and see what He is doing!

Our Pastors

1880-1882 J.C. Price 1928-1929 J.C. Newman

1882-1885 B.J. Smith 1929-1931 R. L. Johnson

1885-1895 J.Q.A. Alford 1931-1934 G.W. Metcalf

1895-1900 H.D. Heath 1934-1939 R. E. Streetman

1901-1903 J.B. Gillespie 1939-1946 L. C. Lester

1903- W.L. Crain 1946-1950 D.H. Bonner

H.G. York 1950-1953 Jim Cole

J. W. Hargrove 1954-1958 Glenn W. Hayden

J.R. Fields 1958-1962 Robert Jenkins

D.Y. Bagby 1963-1966 Bob I. Johnson

1909-1915 J.C. McClain 1967-1994 Richard D. Tatum

1915-1920 W.H. Horton 1995-2002 Lynn Holly

1920-1921 J.D. Allen 2002-2003 Bill Cathey

1922-1927 J.A. Kidd 2003-Present Johnny Witherspoon