First Baptist Church

(Corner of Marion and Liberty Streets In Downtown Salem)

1950 c., Old First Baptist Church, 515 N. Liberty St., Salem, OR., WHC Collections 2007.001.0365

On the evening of December 29, 1859, eight pioneers meeting in the Methodist meeting house pledged to establish a new Baptist congregation in Salem, Oregon, a place where Oregonians could hear about and experience God’s wonderful kindness and love. English-born New Yorker, Rev. C. L. Fisher and his large family journeyed six months over the Oregon Trail to become the first pastor. The first building was completed, on two lots donated by Dr. Willson at the corner of Marion and Liberty Streets, in 1864.

Membership in 1871 was reported to be around 100, with 123 Sunday School attendees. During this year an imposing belfry, which amplified the bell calling people to services, weddings, and funerals, was added to the structure. A fence protected the property from cows that roamed Salem’s streets.

From 1877 to 1881 the pastor’s wife coordinated an evening school for the Chinese community of Salem, with 40 pupils learning about God and how to read and write English for a monthly tuition of one dollar.

By 1945 membership had swelled to 1,300. By 1950, Sunday School classes were meeting in every place available, including the belfry, a restroom, and portions of the hall. At that time the core of the present building was constructed, with the original pioneer church razed for parking.

As Salem expanded, groups from the First Baptist congregation started Baptist churches in all directions of the population growth. In 1951 the Union Gospel Mission was formed to aid the homeless and poor who congregated in the downtown neighborhood.

An extensive remodeling and the addition of an educational wing took place at First Baptist Church in 1974. The plight of Southeast Asian refugees fleeing Communism in the 1970s and 80s brought small groups of Cambodians to Salem, and they conducted their church services at First Baptist.

Sunshine School opened as a Christian preschool in the early 1980s. Today this Christian School in downtown Salem educates approximately 220 students in preschool through sixth grade. An accompanying day care program further assists working parents.

For two years in the 1990s, a Russian congregation worshiped in the chapel. This congregation of around 500 now meets in Keizer. A ministry to give free lunches to the homeless in Marion Park was also held in the 90s.

In 1997, First Baptist purchased the Commercial Street side of the property. Currently housing a gymnasium and office complex, the remaining portion of this space will be used to expand and enhance various ministries of the church.

Today Salem First Baptist remains on the corner of Liberty and Marion Streets in downtown Salem, and continues to proclaim the same gospel message as was begun in 1859.

Compiled by Shari Nelson, First Baptist Church Historian and Archivist.

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This article originally appeared on the original Salem Online History site and has not been updated since 2006.