Our Story

How It All Started...

A Faithful Dream
On March 9, 1911, the Mt. Zion Baptist Association was instrumental in organizing a Baptist church in Marion. Services were held in the community building, which was located on the west bank of the Marion Lake. Brother C.E. Dicken became its pastor on April 2 of the same year.  He served the church the first Sunday of each month. In 1912, the church petitioned for membership in the Mt. Zion Association. What happened after this, is a mystery. From 1912 until 1925 no records of the church's history can be found.

A Firm Resolve
On March 8, 1925, the Marion Baptist Church was officially organized with 28 charter members. In March of that same year, Brother R. W. Hooker was called to serve as the pastor, with services being held the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

In January of 1926, property was purchased on Military Road in Marion for the sum of $500.00.  Plans were made and approved by the church to construct a building at a cost of $17,000.00. On October 17, 1926, the church petitioned the Tri-County Baptist Association for membership and was received into the fellowship the following year.

The membership of Marion Baptist Church moved into their new building on April 22, 1928. Between 1928 and 1938, the church, as with most people, fell upon hard times.  The church treasurer's reports from that time period showed the church's bank balance was routinely between 10¢ and 40¢. Furthermore, the church was constantly behind on payments of the pastor’s salary. However, the worst was yet to come.

A Firey Past
In December of 1938, fire struck the church, heavily damaging the structure. Through hard labor and dedication, the building was restored. To compliment the restored building, the church voted in February of 1940, to build a new parsonage at a cost of $4,000.00.

Then, in January of 1947, the church was completely destroyed by fire, creating great hardship on the members. Through much prayer and dedication, the church was rebuilt and dedication on November 14, 1948.  

Marion Baptist Church would have several years of respite from fires, allowing it to focus on ministry and outreach. As the membership grew, there was a need for more space. So, in April of 1970, the church voted to spend $35,000.00 on a fellowship hall, and in May of 1985, the congregation planted a mission church, which later became Lakeshore Estates Baptist Church.

Finally, in December of 1993, the church voted to purchase land on Highway 77 just south of town. This would prove to be divine foresight as on November 26, 1995, the church at 96 Military Road burned to the completely to the ground.

A Fresh Start
Facing a total rebuild, the church voted to build a new church on the recently purchased land on Highway 77. On October 20, 1996 the contract was signed to begin construction on the new church in a new location. The first service was held on March 29, 1998.

In 2001, the church called Dr. Clay Hallmark as its pastor. Under his leadership the church would see widespread baptisms and further expansion of the campus' footprint. In May 2002, the church broke ground on a new 43,000 square foot family life center, later dedicated as the Goodwin Life Center. The approximately cost of the new construction was $3.2 million dollars.

First Marion, as it is know today, continues to impact its community for Christ. Over the years, pastors from the like of Rufus Hooker, Paul Kirkland, Eugene Ray, Mark Baber, to Dr. Clay Hallmark shepherded the congregation to its present success. Today, under the leadership of Dr. James L. Nichols, Jr., the church continues to share and show the love of Jesus in its community and around the world.