We would like to humbly present the 160-year history of the Baptist Church here in Vienna, IL. It is not known where the members of the Baptist Church met during the First twelve years of its existence. According to the Associational minutes of 1929, First Baptist Church of Vienna was organized in 1856. But, historical records indicate that a body of believers identified as Baptist was meeting as early as 1847. Also a history of the county relates that the early Church gatherings took place in the courthouse and school build­ings. The first minister in the recorded history of the church was William Bissel Pearce, born October 10, 1816 in Williamson County, Tennessee. He served as pastor in the Baptist Church of Vienna from 1854 to 1856 and again from 1861 to 1864. Reverend Pearce was pastor of seven other churches in Clear Creek Baptist Association from 1851-1878. Reverend Pearce was the great grandfather of Floyd Stout and Rhudell Pearce, great-great Grandfather of Shirley Jones, Rosemary Hook, and Francis Bullock who are all members of our church.

In June 1859 a two-story brick building was completed on the same property where First Baptist, Vienna is located. The building was completed as a Presbyterian church, with the agreement that it would be used by several congregations, including the Baptist and Methodist, and was hence named the "Union Church Building." The construction was a community project and the merchants of Louisville, Kentucky donated a 600 pound bronze bell, which is housed in the existing bell tower of First Baptist Church.

Records indicate there were pastors, but little is known of activities for the next 40 years. The Methodist erected their own building in 1886 and the Presbyterian congregation dissolved during the same time period. The Baptist congrega­tion apparently was a small, struggling fellow­ship with part-time preaching for many years. According to records, Vienna was admitted to the Franklin Baptist Association on August 26, 1853, with a membership of eighteen. The Union Baptist Association was organized in 1867 with the first session held in the Baptist Church in Vienna.

From 1874 to 1886 there is no record of church activity. Union Baptist Association minutes of 1876 record, "The work in some areas of the association is deplorable. Vienna, the county seat of Johnson County, has no active Baptist Church." Vienna Baptist Church was readmitted to Union Baptist Association in 1886.

One cold day in the winter of 1902-03, there was a fire in the Union Building occupied until 1906. On June 11, 1906 the trustees of the First Baptist Church, Vienna, secured the deed from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for the sum of $190.00. The property was 44 feet wide and 80 feet in length. The old Union Church was demolished and a new brick building was constructed in 1907-08, known as The First Baptist Church, Vienna. The records indicate the church was without a pastor from 1905-08. During this period the new church was con­structed, which indicates a strong lay leader­ship in the church body. It was dedicated in 1909 with the dedicatory sermon given by the editor of the Illinois Baptist, W.P. Throgmorton. Additional property has been secured and numerous building programs have been undertaken. In 1932, with volunteer labor, the church put a partial basement under the church building for educational space. This area was expanded to a full basement in the 1940's.

The church members voted to construct a three-story education building in November 1953, on the West end of the Church Auditorium. The cost of the educational build­ing was approximately $50,000.00 and was in service on November 7, 1954.

On January 7, 1960, the church voted to pro­ceed with securing plans to construct a new auditorium. A specially called business meeting Sunday Evening October 1, 1961 Reported by Bill Dameron, a bid of $73,575.00 was received from Kirk Patrick Construction, of Anna III. Motion made & seconded to retain Mr. Dormeyer @ 2% of Construction costs to over­see the construction of auditorium. The bid did not include heating and air condi­tion. Construction began in October 1961 and the first Service was Easter Sunday 1962. The cornerstone ceremony was in April 15,1962. In 1971, a brick parsonage was constructed on the lot immediately South of the church build­ing.

The Men's Brotherhood began the operation of a food pantry in May 1985 with a $500.00 gift. The Food Pantry started with an old pick-up truck going to a "Second Harvest" outlet at Mt. Vernon, Illinois. After 18 months they were informed that the counties south of State Route 13 had to go to Tri-State Food Bank, Inc. Evansville, Indiana. Needy families in the surrounding community could come to the church once each month and receive free food. In those early 5 to 10 years the Pantry served 150 to 200 families each month. The Brotherhood food pantry was effectively meet­ing some of the needs of the community and therefore was recognized by local, state, and national media. Because it was one of only a few of its kind in operation, in 1988, NBC filmed the hour long documentary "Hunger Next Door" 15 minutes of that covered the First Baptist Church of Vienna and their work in helping the less fortunate. In 1997 the Brotherhood food pantry served approxi­mately 183 families each month.

With the help of the Brotherhood of Illinois Baptist Association, they purchased a large truck to transport the groceries from Evansville to Vienna. Now the Food Pantry is using the truck to deliver groceries to the "shut ins" of the City of Vienna. In these 22 years we have served over 79,000 individuals.

Two additional properties North of the church were purchased in 1986. The back of the prop­erty was filled in and crushed rock was spread over the area to provide additional parking space.

In these 160 years, the First Baptist Church of Vienna Illinois holds a proud place in the heart of the community. It reaches out past its mem­bership to the whole community because First Baptist is "A Caring Family Church."