First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church on Victoria Ave.

Construction started on April 10th, 1911. On April 14th, 1912, the new pipe organ was heard for the first time.

June 30th, 1912, was a very historic but tragic date. It was a very hot Sunday and about 4:30 in the afternoon, a black cloud appeared in the south. At ten minutes to five, a terrific cyclone swept through the city, killing over forty people. The cyclone lifted the dome of The First Baptist church and in its fury, threw it one block away. This is just one of the many buildings affected by the cyclone of 1912. There is a walking tour that is offered by the city that highlights the stories and the path of the cyclone of 1912.