First Regular Baptist Church Records

In 1823, several Baptists from Lebanon and other surrounding communities moved into Dayton. This movement initiated what became the First Baptist Church of Dayton. The church was organized on May 29, 1824. This strongly Calvinistic congregation held meetings and services at the Court House, in a room on St. Clair Street and on the porch of William Huffman's house at Third and Jefferson Streets. Stephan Garel, who had been pastor of a church in Trenton, Ohio, is believed to have been the first pastor. In September of 1824, the Miami Baptist Association received the church into its fellowship.

Under the ministry of D.S. Burnett, the church softened its Calvinism, erected its first church building, and saw their membership increase to 84, the largest in town. After these early successes, the Dayton Baptist Church encountered two major crises. On March 21, 1829, Rev. Burnett led the majority of the congregation into the Campbellite movement. They called for a simplified faith which could unite Christianity into one body and separated themselves from the Missionary Baptist Association. Only eight (possibly nine) members remained loyal to the Baptist creed.

In 1835, the Dayton Baptists suffered another blow when the Miami Baptist Association took a stand against the use of benevolent institutions. When the Baptist churches in Dayton, Cincinnati, Lebanon, and Middletown refused to condemn the use of Sunday Schools, missionary societies. etc., the Association dropped these churches from their minutes.

On February 25, 1837, the Dayton church became incorporated as the First Regular Baptist Church of Dayton. The term "Regular" distinguished them from the churches of the Miami Baptist Association.

In 1840, the congregation moved into its first church building after the Campbellite affair. This Greek Revival building sat on the corner of Jefferson and East Fourth Streets. Its construction proved financially burdensome to the congregation who had to seek aid from the Ohio Baptist State Convention. The congregation quickly gained strength, however, and by 1851, it had over two hundred members. On October 25, 1863, the Dayton First Baptist Church dedicated their third building on Main Street, free of debt. By 1867, the membership roll included three hundred names.

In 1868, Dr. Henry F. Colby began a pastorate, which lasted for thirty-four years. During this time the church undertook many new projects and developed some new institutions. The church began several mission schools around the Dayton area, some which developed into churches. The First Church figured prominently in organizing the Linden Avenue Baptist Church in 1872. This period also saw the development of Young Peoples organizations and Women's Missionary circles. Dr. Colby brought the First Church into greater prominence by his many civic and denominational involvements. He served three year terms as President of the Ohio Baptist Convention and as President of the American Baptist Missionary Union. Dr. Colby also acted as President of the Board of Trustees for Dennison University for twenty-two years and for the Miami Valley Hospital for nineteen years. After retiring from the pastorate, Rev. Colby continued with the church for many years.

In 1904, Rev. Howard Whidden, then pastor, and Dr. Henry Colby led the church to a conscious decision to remain in the central city area rather than follow the movement to the suburbs. At this time the church bought the property on Monument Avenue for its present building. Despite the decision to remain downtown, the church still helped organize the Dayton View Baptist Church in 1912. This project took thirty-one of its members.

Construction of the new building proceeded slowly and suffered a major setback in the Dayton flood of 1913. The properties on Main Street and on Monument Avenue suffered severe damage. In addition, nearly half of the church's membership lived or had businesses and factories in areas which remained flooded for four days. The laymen of the First Baptist Church participated in resolving this community crisis at nearly every level of activity. Henry A. Stout and E.A. Deeds had prominent roles in acquiring money and legislation for the Miami Conservancy project to prohibit further flooding.

The pastorate of Rev. Charles Lyon Seasholes (1931-1965) brought many changes. The structure of the church's committees and boards underwent a major reorganization. A west wing was added to the building in 1937. The church reordered its schedule for the Sunday worship services to convenience those who traveled from the suburbs. Dr. Seasholes introduced the practice of dedicating babies, and the wearing of robes by the ministers for Sunday worship service. On Wednesday evening, he lectured on world problems, and he initiated a book review series for the Sunday evening services. Dr. Seasholes served on many civic boards and further distinguished himself by initiating the first Planned Parenthood program in Dayton during the early 1930's. He was a recognized leader in the American Baptist Convention and served as an accredited delegate to the 1948 meeting of the World Council of Churches in Amsterdam. In 1967, the First Baptist Church compiled a study of its work and the community which it served. They found most of its members lived in Dayton's more prestigious communities of Dayton View, Oakwood, and Kettering. Around 87% of the members were found to be either white collar workers or professional people.

The turbulence of the 1960's challenged the First Church to several new involvements. Through a community organization called PUSH, they attempted to purchase and rehabilitate substandard housing for resale to low income families. A coffee house which the church attempted for its youth proved to be a short‑lived venture. The Day Care Center, begun at this time, has remained to the present.

The 1970's have seen the First Church reemphasizing a personal ministry as is evidenced by its support of the Key '73 evangelism campaign and the formation of a spontaneous devotional fellowship known as "One in the Spirit."

Most of the records from the 1980s and 1990s include weekly publications like the Courier and sermons, to photographs of church events.