b'Our HistoryWhen you view First Baptist Church Abilene on the downtown corner of North Second and Orange Streets, you might think of a strong oak tree with deep roots, a sturdy trunk and branches spreading out in many different directions. These roots took hold in this West Texas town in 1881. Over the years our church has grown strong, offering its gifts and service to our community. Our vision has been and continues to be actively serving others as we meet the physical and spiritual needs of our congregation and our city.OwenC.Pope,atravelingmissionary,cametothenewly establishedtownofAbileneontheT&PRailroadlineand decided it needed a Baptist church. A few months later seventeen original members signed the charter for the new church.As Abilene grew, so did First Baptist Church. In 1883 land was purchasedandthechurchbuiltitsfirstbuilding.Fromthe onset church members were evangelistic and mission-minded, reachingoutintothecommunitythroughSundaymorning worship, socials, and an annual revival.Thelate1800sandearly1900sbroughtrapidgrowthand change to First Baptist and Abilene. Faced with the growing number of members, a new larger sanctuary was constructed anddedicatedin1910.NineyearslaterthefirstSunday School Building was erected. Even though attention was given toexpandingbuildingsandgrounds,ourchurchremained dedicated to responding to the needs of the city. First Baptist Churchplayedasignificantroleinfounding threeimportant Abileneinstitutions.FBChelpedestablishHardin-Simmons University,HendrickMedicalCenter,andHendrickHomefor Children. These community institutions have had a major impact bymeetingtheeducational,spiritual,andphysicalneedsof residents in West Texas. Theconceptofservicewasespeciallyevidentintimesof crisis. During the World Wars, the Spanish flu, and the Great 6 Depression, First Baptist offered physical and monetary support'