First Baptist Church, Rutherfordton, NC

09/05/2026

We're hiring a part-time (17.5 hour/week) Minister to Children! For more information, or to submit your resume for consideration, email [email protected].

09/04/2026

In celebration of our 175th anniversary, we've been sharing "this moment in history" each week in worship! Here is one we've shared in recent weeks:

Our third pastor was Reverend Alexander Jacob Cansler. We have no photos of him, but he led an interesting life. He was born in Lincoln County on May 26, 1825, and his father was the Sheriff. He married Mary Ann Martin of Wilkes County in 1847 and shortly after the marriage came to a personal life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.

He was ordained to preach in 1851, the actual year our church was formed. He pastored several churches in Lincoln and Cleveland Counties before coming to Rutherford County to lead in ministry here.

He was our pastor for only one year, and for a short time, he was a newspaper publisher in Cleveland County. He died in the state of Arkansas in 1872.

A biological statement of A. J. Cansler stated that he indulged too freely in pipe smoking and people said that his excessive use of to***co was an evil sin. He also told our congregation that at least 12 congregants must be present or he would not preach. His diary showed that he baptized around three thousand people during his ministry.

We thank God for sending Rev. Cansler to help sustain our church in its early years, pipe smoking or not!

09/03/2026

We're just a few weeks away from our 175th Anniversary Weekend!

Join us for a wonderful morning of worship including the debut of our newly commissioned choral anthem, handbells, brass, premiere of the church video, a church family photo on the front steps, and guest preacher, Paul Baxley, Executive Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

08/27/2026

In celebration of our 175th anniversary, we've been sharing "this moment in history" each week in worship! Here is one we've shared in recent weeks:

One of our former church members served well within the NC Baptist State Convention and state Women’s Missionary Union. Dorothy Allred, often known as "Dot" or "Mama Dot," was a pastor's wife and mother to 3 daughters.

In his later years, Dot’s husband, Hoyle, left the pastorate and became the Associational Director of Missions for the Gaston Association in Gaston County, NC. Dot served beside him in leading programs and training leaders in churches to serve.

At various times in her life, Dot became the 2nd vice president of the NC Baptist State Convention, the 1st vice president of the NC Baptist State Convention, and chaired the committee to separate Wake Forest University from the NC Baptist State Convention. In her 70’s she drove to Raleigh to serve as an interim director position for the offices of NC State Women’s Missionary Union.

In 2002 at the age of 82, Dot authored the book, “And So Much More: Living Legacies of North Carolina Women on Mission.” This book was the most current historical account of the Women’s Missionary Union in the state of North Carolina. By the time she was writing this book, Dot moved to Rutherford County. The first Sunday she attended this church, she joined it! She told her daughter, Susan, that she joined the first Sunday because the men were fixing breakfast for the women!

It wasn’t too much longer after joining the church when Dot was elected as a deacon. At that time, she was one of the few women serving on the Deacon Council. Dean Baughn, the pastor at that time, said that when she served as a deacon, her wisdom was astounding and everyone listened to her.

In a recent tribute to her mother, Susan wrote, “She did it all… but not under her own power. If you asked her she would say, ‘I am an ordinary woman with an extraordinary God.’ She was a fierce advocate for women in ministry.”

We thank God for Dot Allred and many others from our church who have made a difference in God’s kingdom.

08/26/2026

The Back to School Bash is next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Come for pizza, homemade ice cream, fellowship, and games. All ages welcome!

08/25/2026

We're just a few weeks away from our anniversary celebration! Don't forget that part of our celebration will be a banquet on Saturday, September 26 at 5:30 p.m. Have you reserved your spot yet? Email [email protected] to RSVP!

08/11/2026

On Sunday in worship, we shared a video about last week's Summer Advocacy Camp! Check it out!

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