FIRST BAPTIST FOCUS AND EVENTS

                                                                                 July  2026

First Baptist Church will be celebrating our 150th Anniversary in September. Each month

some history of our church will be included in the newsletter.

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The United States initially maintained a policy of neutrality when World War I began in 1914, despite
growing tensions in Europe and public concern over German actions, including the sinking of the RMS
Lusitania in 1915, which killed 128 Americans.  President Woodrow Wilson sought to mediate peace but faced mounting pressure as Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare in early 1917 and
attempted to ally with Mexico against the U.S. through the Zimmermann Telegram.  On April 6, 1917,
Congress declared war on Germany, officially ending nearly three years of neutrality. Later that year,
the U.S. also declared war on Austria-Hungary.

While growth was evident in the church during this period, problems and difficulties all related to the
war effort, were faced and surmounted. The church building was closed part time to conserve fuel and
meetings were held in different homes. The pastor at that time Rev. J.H. Pollard was granted a leave of
absence to become a Chaplain in the Army. Several students from the University of Chicago Theological School, accepted short term calls to fill the pulpit. At the Annual Meeting in June 1919
Lieutenant Pollard was present being on his way home from over-seas. He gave a very interesting talk
on his experiences in the service.

Until a full time pastor became available (the war effort limited those) every branch of the church was
carried on as it should be by members. Worship attendance was 120, Sunday School attendance was
100 with several classes. The classes gathered and sent flowers to the different children’s hospitals in
Chicago and provided for a French orphan.

Following the signing of the armistice with Germany in November 1918; again a full time pastor was
in the pulpit. The church building underwent some improvements during the next four years. The
interior of the church was redecorated, a new furnace was installed at a cost of $290. During this time a
furnace and hot water system was installed in the parsonage at a cost of $275.
Note: the parsonage was purchased in 1892 at a cost of $1,000; $500 paid down and the balance paid
off in one year.

In May of 1923 plans were made to undertake the work of putting a basement beneath the church.
Most of the work excavating the basement from 1923-1926 was donated and done by hand. Before
final completion of the basement, a bazaar was held in the basement. The funds raised purchased
dishes, silverware, half of the new chairs and two large gas ranges at a cost of $234.