Our Beginnings

First Baptist has our roots in the Squaw Creek Church, the very first church in the area.  It began in 1860, before the town of Ames was settled, and met at Hoggatt School.   The church struggled through the Civil War and closed just before the railroad came and the town of Ames was founded.  In 1868, Baptists in the newly formed town of Ames, including those who had been members of the Squaw Creek Church,  met together and formed First Baptist.  In 2018 we celebrated our 150th anniversary and worshiped together at the Hoggatt School, now on the grounds of Meeker Elementary. 

Photos below include downtown buildings used from 1872-1909, 1909-1949, the Roger Williams House and the Covenant House,  and our current building dedicated in 1950.

MORE HISTORICAL INFO TO COME!