Our Beliefs
First Baptist Church Lanett (FBC Lanett) is in cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
FBC Lanett also affirm SBC’s oldest statement of faith, The Abstract of
Principles. These statements are faithful summaries of what the
Bible calls us to believe with out reservation.
FBC Lanett also holds to the inerrancy of Scripture and to the Bible’s teaching
about manhood, womanhood, sexuality, life, liberty, and freedom. Therefore, we also affirm the Chicago Statement, the Danvers Statement, the Nashville Statement, and the Manhattan Declaration.
The church gathers together on Sunday mornings from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM for Corporate Worship. We extend an invitation to anyone in our community to join us. You may find an example of our Order of Service here.
The history of First Baptist Church Lanett is a testament to the enduring nature of the community's unwavering faith and commitment to gathering to worship the Triune God. From its humble beginnings as a Bible Study group in a quaint mill town, this essay traces the church's journey through time, highlighting key moments that shaped its development into the congregation it is today.
In 1894, the Lanett Mill commenced operations, marking the dawn of a new era for the quiet village. Before this industrial awakening, the area had few inhabitants, and religious life was virtually non-existent. Recognizing the need for spiritual guidance in the rapidly expanding community, a group of individuals, led by J.D. Norman and David Adams, gathered in 1893 to establish a Bible Study. This gathering took place in a modest store building on what is now South Sixth Street.
The Bible Study quickly gained traction, attracting participants from various Protestant denominations. Their meeting place, fondly referred to as "The Little Chapel," became a hub of worship in the village. However, as the number of attendees grew, the limitations of "The Little Chapel" became evident. For this reason, the Baptist members of the Bible Study decided to establish their own church. A dedicated group pooled their resources, purchased the lot where the present campus stands, and deeded it to the trustees of the unorganized Baptist Church. On May 5, 1895, First Baptist Church Lanett was officially constituted with a founding membership of thirteen individuals.
Jack Gregory, the first Senior Pastor, led the congregation from 1895 to 1901. In 1896, members constructed a one-story wooden building to have a consistent place to gather together for corporate worship. This structure served the congregation until 1919. In 1919, the believers at FBC Lanett expanded its campus and built a two-and-a-half-story brick building to gather together for corporate worship. The second campus was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1937, and regrettably, the church's records went up in flames with it. Consequently, much of the history prior to 1937 had to be gleaned from Associational Minutes dating back to 1895. In its inaugural year, First Baptist Church Lanett had 60 members and operated with a budget of $500.00.
Following the 1937 fire, part of the present campus was constructed to once again provide a consistent place for believers to gather together for corporate worship. Since then, FBC Lanett has continued to gather in its current location, off South Sixth Street, much like its faith-filled forebears did back in 1894.
Fast forward to June 11, 2023, when FBC Lanett called Senior Pastor Jake Hayley to lead the local church through a process of revitalization. While many years have passed since its inception in 1895, the church's purpose remains the same. The Purpose of First Baptist Church Lanett is to gather together to worship Jesus, to grow together to be like Jesus, and to go together to bring others to Jesus so that they, too, will gather, grow, and go. The church remains dedicated to fulfilling this purpose for the people of Lanett, the greater Valley Area, and the world at large.
The story of FBC Lanett is not merely a historical account but a living testament to the enduring faith, dedication, and resilience of a church family dedicated to gathering together to worship the one true living God. From its humble beginnings in a small store building, it has grown into a congregation, that is grounded in its mission to gather, grow, and go.