In March 1906, the trustees of First Baptist Church (the name had changed because there were other Baptist churches in Vicksburg and this was the first one) hired architect M. J. Donovan to prepare plans and specifications for the entire remodeling of their church building on Crawford and Walnut streets.

The Vicksburg Herald reported, “the changes to be made are of such nature that it will practically make a new building of the old church. The plans contemplate the extension of the walls on the west end and the construction of a transept north and south, giving a main auditorium 43 ½ feet wide and 78 feet long with the transept on each side 12 feet deep and 32 feet long, with a balcony in the western end 34 feet deep and 36 long, making this building the second largest church in the city. There will also be a new addition at the rear for a Sunday school to be 22 feet wide and 56 feet long, two stories high. The changes also call for three art glass windows of large size, one in each transept and one in the west end. The present spire will give place to a tower with louvered gables and new spire, the tower to be raised and spire shortened, giving the building a new architectural treatment well in accord with the other buildings at this intersection of the two streets. The church will be heated by warm air from a furnace of the latest design and will be lighted by electric pendant lights controlled by a switch board in the Sunday school hall and will also be lighted by gas arcs. The electric lights and gas arcs to be combination pattern especially designed for the church. The roof will be covered with a very handsome metal tile in keeping with the building.”

Once again, the congregation of the Jewish Synagogue offered the Baptists the use of their temple during the remodeling. The Vicksburg Post reported that in accepting the offer of the Jewish congregation, the Baptist stated, “the members of this church are unanimous in expressions of gratitude and appreciation for this kind offer and only hope that an opportunity will soon come when they shall be able to reciprocate such a spirit of fraternalism and good fellowship.”

In fact, First Baptist Church sent them a resolution which was printed in The Vicksburg Herald stating, “we will ever treasure in brotherly remembrance the highest appreciation of this kindness and assure our brothers and friends of the Jewish faith of our willingness to do them a like favor should it ever be in our power.”

By February 1907, the remodel was nearing completion and the congregation of First Baptist again made an appeal to the citizens of Vicksburg to help finance the end of the construction. They had already raised $20,000 within their congregation and were respectfully asking the community to help as it could. The church was completed and held its first service March 3, 1907.  The new organ from Louisville, Kentucky, which cost $2,000, had been installed and The Vicksburg Post reported the sanctuary could hold 600 people, although the congregation numbered 215 at the time. The paper stated, “the side walls and ceiling are finished in three tints of green all the wood work, including the new pipe organ has been finished in dark golden oak, the floor of the main auditorium is laid in a beautiful steel-finished hard maple and new pews have been installed.”

The new church building served the needs of First Baptist until February 1953, when the Rev. John McCall reported that plans were underway to find a location on which to build a new church because it needed more space for the growing congregation and schedule of activities. In January 1954, McCall announced the church’s cabinet had recommended the purchase of a lot on the southeast corner of Cherry and Harrison streets. The congregation purchased the property and hired Spain and Biggers, architects of Jackson, to design the new church. In February 1955, the historic house on the lot was demolished and ground was finally broken for the new building May 7, 1956. The new church was designed with a sanctuary that would seat 1,300 and a chapel providing for 200. In order to help pay for the building, the church sold first mortgage bonds paying 5% at First National Bank and Merchants National Bank.

Saturday, November 24, 1956, the First Baptist Church on Crawford and Walnut was heavily damaged by a fire that started in the attic and was probably caused by faulty wiring. This time, the congregation moved their church services to Grove Street School. The lot and building were eventually sold to Sam Peeples for $75,000 in July 1957.

The new church on Cherry Street was completed a year later at a cost of $1,020,000 and the first services were held July 6, 1958. Now, 67 years later, new church is a historic building, gracing Cherry Street.

– Nancy Bell, Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation.