“This is the place that rose up from the grave,” said Dr. David Tolliver, executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention during Sunday afternoon’s dedication of the new First Baptist Church sanctuary and celebration of the church’s 140th anniversary.
Using the theme, “Blessings Behind Us, Blessings Before Us,” a standing-room only crowd of members, former members and members of the community celebrated the new $2.7 million 15,790 sq. ft. addition which replaced the 1899 building which was destroyed by a tornado on March 12, 2006.

A theme of joy and trust in the Lord resonated as Jim and Jenny Dorsey and Dennis and Barb Carson presented a musical selection with the refrain, “He already sees the rainbows when we see only clouds.” Rev. Al Groner, director of missions of Bethel Association, said, “Out of this rubble, this beautiful place is where we can turn our attention to You.”
During the morning service, the church’s 24 pastors were remembered, with Rev. J.D. Stewart having served the longest tenure, 20 years, and Rev. Marvin Pitney having served two times. The current pastor, the Rev. Milton Baumgardner has served the church since 1989.

Dr. Phil Turner returned to the Monroe City pulpit and urged those attending to go forth and “Be free from fear and have a bold message.” He spoke of his “coffee shop ministry” and the need to minister to others through kindness, love and patience.
Rev. Baumgardner gave a history of the church’s building project, and how church members never gave up faith that they would rebuild. “This is only the first day of many days of glory and honor” to the Lord, he said.

On behalf of Heimer Construction Co., project manager Carl Fleegel presented Rev. Baumgardner with a framed aerial print of the church. “We have provided a place where the real work begins,” he said. “This will be a place for friendship, a place for families, a place for comfort, a place for revelation and a place for rebirth.”
Dennis Carson, chairman of the deacons, said after the tornado that members could see loss and tragedy, while “God could see all the good that could come out of it.”
In a rousing message, Dr. Tolliver, a fourth-generation Southern Baptist pastor, urged the faithful to reach out to those who have not been reached. “Modern Christians are so busy being in the world, they forget that Christians are not of the world,” he said, urging Christians to sound the trumpet of the Lord.
The first church was born at the corner of West Dover and Oak Street in July 1869 at a cost of $7,000. By April 1878, a committee was formed to study relocation of the church and in February 1884, lots were purchased at the present location of Main and Catherine Streets. The old church was sold and the new building was dedicated Nov. 15, 1884. On Feb. 12, 1899, fire destroyed the church building on a Sunday night, and a new building was dedicated on June 24, 1900. The second building cost $9,000. The present $2.7 million building was built debt-free. Thirty-one of the stained glass windows and pews from the old sanctuary were used, in addition to the entry lights.