How it began...
First Baptist Church of Kannapolis, North Carolina was chartered on October 11, 1908, when a small group of Baptists gathered to form a Missionary Baptist Church. With Reverend J. L. Kirk and eleven people signing the charter, our humble beginnings were directly tied to the influx of people who moved here to seek their fortune at the beginning of North Carolina's industrial revolution. The congregation met first in a room above a drugstore, following soon after to meeting in a tent while the first sanctuary was being built. The church formed that cool October evening is our First Baptist Church.
On August 14, 1912, Cannon Manufacturing Company transferred to the trustees of the new Baptist church a tract of land where First Street met with Main Street, the same land our congregation has occupied ever since. The land was a gift from J. W. Cannon and was transferred "in consideration of the sum of one dollar and no cents." Within three months, the first service was held in the new sanctuary on Thanksgiving evening. Since that time, we have constructed two more buildings on this same wedge of land. Our church was fortunate to purchase 11.59 acres of land at the site of the old Midway Ball Field several blocks away that hosts our long-time Midway Soccer ministry, among other community opportunities.
People still come to Kannapolis just as they did in the 1900s with the start of Cannon Mills. This time, however, they are coming for the North Carolina Research Campus that stands on the site of the former mill property, directly next door to our church building.
On August 14, 1912, Cannon Manufacturing Company transferred to the trustees of the new Baptist church a tract of land where First Street met with Main Street, the same land our congregation has occupied ever since. The land was a gift from J. W. Cannon and was transferred "in consideration of the sum of one dollar and no cents." Within three months, the first service was held in the new sanctuary on Thanksgiving evening. Since that time, we have constructed two more buildings on this same wedge of land. Our church was fortunate to purchase 11.59 acres of land at the site of the old Midway Ball Field several blocks away that hosts our long-time Midway Soccer ministry, among other community opportunities.
People still come to Kannapolis just as they did in the 1900s with the start of Cannon Mills. This time, however, they are coming for the North Carolina Research Campus that stands on the site of the former mill property, directly next door to our church building.
HOW IT CONTINUED...
Though the need had been present for many years, the Lord worked it out and we began actively working on expanding our building, increasing the ease of access dramatically. It was a special time for our church and was completed just before the downtown Kannapolis revitalization explosion, which improved our downtown to a level not seen in decades. We are thrilled and blessed to be in the epicenter of such a wonderful downtown. You can see more about one of our most significant changes by watching the videos on this page.
HOW IT CONTINUES...
In 2020, our church began a live streaming ministry, which grew to expanding other areas of digital ministries as well offering online giving options for the first time, to (in 2021) getting a new website, and even launching a church app. There are undoubtedly new and exciting times ahead for First Baptist Church, but our steadfast goal remains to build a community of disciples for Christ. We look forward to what the Lord does next-- whatever that may be!
First Baptist Kannapolis also continues in the work of God locally, nationally, and internationally through our affiliations with and support of missions and evangelism in Cabarrus County, across North Carolina and the United States and through the financial and prayer support of international missions. We gladly partner with other Baptists and Christians to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone who needs to hear this life-changing message!
First Baptist Kannapolis also continues in the work of God locally, nationally, and internationally through our affiliations with and support of missions and evangelism in Cabarrus County, across North Carolina and the United States and through the financial and prayer support of international missions. We gladly partner with other Baptists and Christians to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone who needs to hear this life-changing message!
