History
FBC Kerens has been active in ministry for the glory of God since 1889
This year we are praising God as we celebrate our 130th anniversary!
1889
The Rev. W.W. Finley, former pastor of the Bazette Baptist Church, organized the First Baptist Church.
1893-1894
Bro. Finley served another year in Kerens
1894-1895
During the pastorate of E.R. Freeman, a wooden church building was built and occupied in June 1895.
1898
John S. Tanner from Baylor University was pastor for one year.
1899
J. C. F. Kyger, also from Waco, served and during that year the wooden structure which housed the church, burned, having caught fire from a gristmill located south of the church.
1900
J.P. Mahoney was called as pastor. The church was completed that same year.
1910
Bro. I. Windsor served nine years, the longest tenured pastor up to that time. Under his leadership effective revivals were experienced, the church building was repaired, and a parsonage was constructed just south of the church.
1920
W. A. Corkern arrived as pastor in January
1926
After a short pastorate of R.E. Bass, Bro. W.A. Corkern returned to lead the church again from 1927 to 1932.
1932
Clem Hardy was pastor
1940
The pastor was A.E. Harrison
1943
J.W. Ousley became the pastor and stayed until September 1945
1946
Dr. E.R. Page of Springfield, Missouri was called as pastor
1949
M.O. Davis was pastor until August 1954
1954
Frank Gillham was the pastor
1957
J. Garland McKee served as pastor
1959
William F. Foster, known to many as “the walking pastor”, served in Kerens
1962
Don Walker was pastor
1966
Charles W. Pringle was called to be pastor
1969
Ralph Stovall was pastor
1975
Rev. Van Houser was pastor
1981
Dr. Royce Measures was pastor
1987
Bro. Chuck Biscoe became the 33rd pastor of the First Baptist Church
1993
Doug Axtell served as pastor
1996
Wes Johnson came as pastor
2004
David Reaves served as Youth Pastor
2009
The church burned on October 17, 2009. Sunday school classes met in the church’s education wing after it was cleaned of smoke damage.
2012
It was two years and four months after the fire when the congregation moved into the new sanctuary on February 12, 2012.
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