What We Are

Central Coldwater Baptist Church was organized in the Spring of 1874, and for its first two years would host services in a schoolhouse on the road to Senatobia with pastor Dr. J. W. Lipsey.  The first dedicated church building was erected west of the railroad in old Coldwater, valued at $1500, and finished in the Fall of 1876--a location in which the church would worship for the next 33 years.  In 1909 a new brick church building was built along with a pastor's home for Rev. B. F. Whitten at a cost of $12,000, with the new location one block east of the railroad at the south end of Main Street in old Coldwater.  The church would worship in this building until 1941, when the old town was moved to its present location. 

 

One of the more memorable activities of the church was the moving from the old town of Coldwater to its present location.  In August of 1939 after prayer meeting, a business meeting was held to discuss handling of church property in the event the US Government bought out the town.  The Church was finally offered $21,000 for the property with the understanding that "we could salvage all of the building material we could get from the buildings now standing on the lot."  By motion and unanimous church vote, the offer was accepted and the contract signed on June 16, 1940.  On July 27, 1941 the church voted to purchase lots 88 and 89 at the site of the new town of Coldwater for the location of the pastor's home and new church building.  On February 1, 1942 the Church voted to move the pastor's home to the new site, and that the Church would be torn down and rebuilt in the new town.  On March 4, 1942 plans for the new church building were shown to the members, with the decision made for the cost of the new church building not to exceed $15,000.  On December 6, 1942 the present Coldwater church building was dedicated, the entire process diligently guided by the direction of Rev. W. O. Beaty.

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The church agreed in 1954 to go to full time services, during which time the church was growing in size and facilities under the direction of Rev. Bob Odenwald.  A much needed educational building was built in 1957 at a cost of $21,840.  In 1964 the church continued to see growth and was completely remodeled during the ministry of Dr. Johnnie Brigman.  Continuing this leadership through a pattern of growth was Dr. Anthony Kay, under whose tenure an additional lot joining the southeast corner was purchased for future expansion.  That year the first bus was acquired and the church facilities were valued at over $165,000.  In order to avoid confusion with other churches in the state which had the same name, the Church voted in 1973 to change its name from Central Coldwater Baptist Church to First Baptist Church Coldwater.  In 1977, a two-story educational building was built to the south of the church building, with the former educational space renovated to become church offices and a nursery.  All debt was retired by 1982.

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In 1984 the Church welcomed Rev. Bob Maddux, who faithfully led FBC Coldwater through times of significant growth throughout his tenure of more than 20 years.  In 1990, FBC Coldwater called Dr. Thomas Lane as Minister of Music.  Dr. Lane elected to come out of retirement from his 38 year tenure as the first full-time Minister of Music in the Southern Baptist Convention at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, during which time since 1948 he served under three pastors and presidents of the SBC:  Dr. R. G. Lee, Ramsey Pollard, and Adrian Rogers.  He faithfully served FBC Coldwater until his death in 1999.  In 1991 the church significantly expanded its footprint, during which time the sanctuary was more than doubled in size.  In 2000, the family life center was erected at a cost of more than three quarters of a million dollars.

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Today in 2025 we stand on our proud history but also choose to focus on our opportunities for the future.  For more than 150 years FBC Coldwater has served our greater community faithfully in service to the Lord, and save His return will continue to faithfully serve for another 150 years.  The history book is still open at FBC Coldwater with many pages to fill, and we would welcome you to come be a part of this story with us.