First Baptist Church
W Main St. at S. Van Buren St. downtown, HendersonMarker Text
Begun in 1845 by the Rev. Lemuel Herrin (d. 1852), pioneer missionary
Baptist minister from Tennessee, this church was reorganized in 1850 by Elders
John B. Renfro and J. O. Walker, and the Rev. Jesse Witt, who served as the
first pastor. Total membership in 1850 was 21. In its early years, the
fellowship shared a meeting place with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The
present church building was dedicated April 25, 1954. At least three other
congregations have been sponsored by this one. The membership has grown steadily
in recent years to the current (1976) total of over 1800.