Winchester was close to the Bush Settlement and Strode's Station, both of which were largely settled by Baptists. While the town was very small at that time (1793) the Baptists had a strong congregation, called Strode's Station Church and later Friendship Church, was organized in 1791 and owned a good brick meeting house, for those days. The meeting house was located outside the city limits at the N.W. corner of the present Winchester Cemetery and fronted on the main, or Strode's, road from Lexington to Winchester. Here the Baptists of Winchester and the immediate vicinity worshipped until the division between the Baptists and Reformers occurred in 1829, after which time the house was occupied by a small congregation of Particular Baptists for several years.
The remaining United Baptists who had not joined the Reformers united with the several Baptist Churches in the county. (See Friendship Church.)
In Nov. 1858 Drs. Ryland T. Dillard and Wm. M. Pratt held a series of meetings in the new Presbyterian Church of Winchester.
On April 16, 1859 some brethren met at the court house. Dr. Wm. M. Pratt was requested to preside. The brethern and sisters present determined to build a house of worship, and on motion of Colby B. Quisenberry, Charles S. French was appointed secretary of the meeting. It was agreed to build a house to cost from $3500 to $5000 and those present pledged $1500. Committies were appointed to solicit funds, Colby B. Quisenberry and James N.G. Bush for Clark County; Samuel Chorn for Montgomery Co.; and W.D. Sutherland, E.T. Woodward and C.S. French for Winchester.
The conference met again May 28, 1859. Prayer by Bro. Nathan Edmonson. Elder James Edmonson was chosen to preside. The committee reported they had obtained subscriptions amounting to $4000. IT was ordered that this sum be used to erect a house of worship.
Building committee composed of Colly D. Quisenberry as chairman (he being the largest contributor), James H.G. Bush and C.S. French, and given full power to purchase a lot in town of Winchester and make contracts for erection of the meeting house.
On June 8, 1859 the brethren and sisters of surrounding Baptist churches assembled in the Presbyterian Church. The following ministers were present to lend their counsel: Rev. Ryland T. Dillard, Rev. Wm. M. Pratt, Rev. Buford E. Allen and Rev. George Varden. Dr. R.T. Dillard was chosent to preside and Dr. W.M. Pratt was appointed clerk. 13 brethern and sisters came forward and signified their desire to be recognized as a Baptist church. The names of these 20 constituent members are as follows:
| James H.G. Bush | Louanna Haggard | Mary Woodward |
| Julia Bush | James M. Bush | Zach E. Bush |
| Colby B. Quisenberry | Mary Duncan | Wm. D. Sutherland |
| Emma Quisenberry | Mary Ogden | Mary F. Bush |
| Charles S. French | James Oliver | Henry Croxton |
| Mary F. French | James Aldridge | Martha Bruce |
| Anna C. Bright | Burgess Acton (Ecton) | Polly Strode |
| Eliza S. Shipp | Martha Acton | Mrs. John Martin |
| A.L. Haggard | I. Acton | Francis Gentry |
| Nannie J. Shannon | E.T. Woodward | |
Articles of faith and covenant of the New Hampshire Baptists having been read, were consented to. After prayer by Rev. G.W. Varden, the right hand of fellowship was extended to the.
It is said that soon after the Civil War the church was in debt #3000 and that Bro. Burgess Ecton with 2 other members paid the debt.
On June 14, 1859 the church voted to purchase the lot where the present church now stands for $700.
In July 1859 the first deacons were elected - Burgess Ecton and E.T. Woodward. C.S. French was elected church clerk.
At this same meeting the church voted to request membership in Boone's Creek Assn.
In Nov. 1859 Rev. Ambrose D. Rash was called as pastor, who served 8 years.
In April 1867 there were resolutions concerning Bro. Rash (they are not included in the transcribed records).
In Feb. 1861 the church voted to dedicate their new house on the 34d Saturday in May and directed that Elders Dillard, Pratt, Stevenson and Campbell and Helm be requested to attend. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. Dillard. Owing to condition sof the times brought on by the Civil War, the church at her meeting in Sept. 1861 requested of Elkhorn Assn. the sum of $150 to assist in paying her pastor.
In 1863 two members were dismissed for improper use of ardent spirits.
In Jan. 1867 the church extended a call to Rev. Wm. M. Pratt he preached several months when Rev. R.T. Dillard was called.
The following month call was extended to Rev. A.D. Rash; he declined.
In July 1868 Rev. J.K. Murphy became the under-shepherd and served 1 year.
In Jan 1870 Rev. L.B. Woolfolk was called and served 1 year.
In March 1871 Rev. Green Clay Smith became pastor and served until Sept. 1872, when Rev. T.J. Stevenson was called. he only served one year.
On Jan. 16, 1916 the church passed resolutions on his death.
In Feb. 1874 Rev. John L. Smith became pastor and served 5 years.
In Feb. 1879 the churh again called him but he declined. Rev. T.C. Stackhouse began as pastor. He began in May 1879 and served until Aug. 1888.
In 1879 the church entered into the General Assn. of Ky Baptists.
In Oct 1880 Charles S. French resigned as clerk. His brother Richard French was chosen clerk to succeed him.
In April 1886 the church voted to repair the church bldg at a cost of $10,000
In Jan. 1887 it was voted to tear down the old and erect a new house.
The 2nd Sunday in Nov. 1887 was the last service held in the old building.
Rev. Wm. Stewart accepted the care of the church in Sept. 1888.
In March 1890 Bro. Richard French was licensed to preach.
In Aug 1890 the church received a request from Ephesus Church for ordination of Bro. Richard French as a minister. Bro. French resigned as clerk, J.K. Allen was elected clerk in July 1890.
In Oct. 1890 Rev. J.N. Prestige accepted the pastorate and served until April 1893.
In Dec. 1891 Rev. W.N. Selix assisted the pastor there were 38 additions.
In April 1892 Rev. Geo. N. Simmons assisted the pastor; there were 53 additions.
In Oct. 1892 tehre were 310 members.
in Jan. 1894 Dr. J.S. Felix was called, he declined due to ill health.
In June 1894 Dr. B.B. Bailey accepted the pastorate and served 10 years until 1904.
In Sept. 1894 the church voted against alien baptism.
In May 1900 Bro. J.K. Allen resigned as clerk.
In Sept 1900 Judge J.N. Conkwright was elected clerk.
In March 1902 the church roll contained 327 members.
In Sept. 1905 Rev. W.E. Thayer accepted as pastor and resigned in July 1907.
On July 7, 1907 resolution on Dr. T.T. Eaton, Editor fo the Westen Recorder were recorded (but not transcribed here).
In Aug. 1907 J.W. Chambers made a motion that the church did not need a pastor.
On Sept. 4, 1907, on motion of Judge John M. Stevenson the church voted to have preaching every Sunday.
June 8, 1908 Rev. J.J. Porter became under-shepherd; he served 1 year when he died. He was succeeded by his brother, Rev. Thos. J. Porter announced the names of 120 members, who, through him, requested letters of dismissal. Granted. Presumably those dismissed, with others, went into the organization of Central Baptist Church on Oct. 27, 1910.
In June 1912 Dr. c.C. Carroll became pastor; he served until April 1, 1917. During his pastorate the church erected a parsonage, cost $12,000 and remodeled the church at a cost of $16,000.
In April 1915 Clayton Strode was made chairman of committee to remodel the church.
July 11, 1915 a building committee was appointed, consisting of Clay Haggard, G. Lee Wainscott, Sam P. Hodgkin, Dr. C.C. Carroll, j. Harvey Hunt, J.K. Allen and Wm. R. Sphar.
Nov 10, 1915 the last meeting was held in the old church building. The new church building was dedicated Dec. 17, 1916. Dr. M.B. Adams preached the dedicatory sermon.
Rev. C.B. Waller began as pastor in Sept. 1917, remained for 5 months.
Nov. 11, 1917 was the last meeting at which John N. Conkwright acted as church clerk. He had served since 1900.
On Feb. 10, 1918 W.V. Bennett was elected clerk. At this meeting resulutions were adopted upon the death of Bro. J.N. Conkwright, presented by Judge J.M. Stevenson.
On Sept. 22, 1918 Dr. Calvin M. Thompson was called. He began his labors Nov. 1 and served 3 years. He was called by the Baptist State Board to be secretary of that Board. He accepted. During his pastorate the church membership was increased 115 members.
In April 1919 J.J. Conkwright was elected clerk.
In Sept. 1919 the Association letter reported 447 members.
Total contributions for all objects for the association for the year 1919 was $12,764.82. The association letter in Sept. 1921 showed 531 members.
Dr. J.W. Gillon took u his labors July 2, 1922 as pastor. He arranged a series of meetings in Oct. 1922 - 1 additions to the church; in less than a year there have been 83 more additions.
The minutes of the Association for last year (1822) show a church membership of 549 and 610 on June 1, 1923.
Since she constituted in 1859, the First Baptist Church has been a member in good standing and fellowship of the Boone's Creek Assn. and has entertained 7 annual sessions of that body in the following years: 1861, 1870, 1883, 1898, 1909 and 1921.
Pastors
Since its constitution in 1859 there have been 17 pastors. Years indicate the beginning of pastorate.
| Name |
Year |
|
Name |
Year |
| Ambrose D. Rash | 1859 | | B.B. Bailey | 1894 |
| J.K. Murphy | 189 | | W.E. Thayer | 1905 |
| L.B. Woolfolk | 1870 | | J.J. Porter | 1908 |
| Green Clay Smith | 1871 | | T.J. Porter | 1909 |
| Thos. J. Stevvenson | 1872 | | C.C. Carroll | 1912 |
| John L. Smith | 1874 | | C.B. Waller | 1917 |
| Thos. Stackhouse | 1879 | | C.M. Thompson | 1918 |
| Wm. Stewart | 1888 | | J.W. Gillon | 1922 |
| J.N. Prestidge | 1890 | | | |
Deacons
Year indicate the year of ordination.
| Name |
Year |
|
Name |
Year |
| Burgess Acton (Ecton) | 1859 | | Charles S. French | 1900 |
| E.T. Woodward | 1859 | | John M. Stevenson | 1908 |
| T.J. Bush | 1866 | | Joe S. Lindsey | 1908 |
| James H. French | 1866 | | P.Y. Drake | 1908 |
| Jesse Gordon | 1870 | | S.Clay Boone | 1908 |
| Thos. Scott | 1873 | | A.R. Martin | 1908 |
| W.H. Tucker | 1885 | | John N. Conkwright | 1913 |
| Nelson T. Bush | 1888 | | J. Harvey Hunt | 1913 |
| N. Holly Witherspoon | 1888 | | James Scott | 1915 |
| Sam P Hodgkin | 1900 | | Clayton Strode | 1913 * |
| J.K. Allen | 1900 | | A.B . Mahan | 1917 * |
| Clay F. Haggard | 1900 | | | |
* Previously ordained in another church.
Clerks
Years indicate the beginning of service.
| C.S. French |
1859 |
| Richard French |
1880 |
| J.K. Allen |
1890 |
| J.N. Conkwright |
1900 |
| W.V. Bennett |
1918 |
| S.J. Caonwright |
1919 ** |
** Elected in 1919, present clerk as of 1923.
|
