Our Story

The story of First Baptist Church of Harrah is definitely one of growth by faith. From its inspired beginnings as a Union Sunday School in 1903, the church has grown and will continue to grow because of the faith of its people. The Union Sunday School was organized, and regular services were held in the first Harrah school building, which was located on the corner of Church Street and Holden.  Church services were only held whenever a minister could be prevailed upon to come and preach. As the town grew, money donated and labor helped build the first building in 1905 of what would become the First Baptist Church of Harrah across the street from the school on the site of what many long-time Harrah residents know as the old Post Office and now the Harrah Pharmacy.

In early 1957 construction began on the buildings that now house First Baptist Church of Harrah with completion of the new sanctuary, located on the southwest corner of Church Avenue, and educational space and a roughed-in Fellowship Hall that year. Church events moved to the new location even before construction was complete with cardboard walls used to divide Sunday School rooms initially.  In the 60's Hoyt Aduddell had been called as the church's pastor. During the Aduddell years church membership grew from 374 to 719 and by 1971 Sunday School attendance averaged 318. In 1971, Rod Masteller was called as pastor and led the church to baptize 150 new believers in his first year. Pastors Forrest Sheffield, Bill Elliff and Dan Campbell continued the growth and spiritual journey of First Baptist Harrah into the 2000's. 

In 2012, the church called Doug Jones as lead pastor. Doug has led the church to focus on discipleship, evangelism and Bible Study and has led the church in building projects to restore and maintain the legacy of First Baptist Harrah. Today, we are focused on growing faithful families to share Jesus with a world that is in need.