In celebration of our 175th Anniversary year, First Baptist Church has published Heritage, a history of our church by Dr. Bill Smallman. This 70-page paperback includes reminiscences, anecdotes, early histories and archival photos dating back to the church's founding in 1833.

This keepsake volume is available for $10. You can pick up a copy in the church lobby on Sunday mornings or stop in the church office during the week. Those wishing to order a copy by mail may call 330-725-5853 or email sandyc@firstmedina.org.

A Brief History of First Baptist Church of Medina

(Click here to read a detailed historical sketch)

The First Baptist Church of Medina was organized August 23, 1833, in a schoolhouse at Fenn's Corners, 2.5 miles north of Medina. The 14 charter members included the following individuals:

• Harriet Bonnel
• Stephen Bonnel
• Mary Fenn
• Theophilus Fenn
• Adelaide Fitch
• Maria Fitch
• Unis Graham
• Anna Hamilton
• Anson Hamilton
• Eden Hamilton
• Elizabeth Hamilton
• Sarah Hamilton
• James H. Holcomb
• Lucy Holcomb

Part-time ministers served the church until 1839, when the Rev. Clark was hired for full-time service at a salary of $125 for six months. Other early pastors included D.A. Randall, Solomon Dimmick and A.M. Torbet.

In 1839, the church began holding services in Medina Village, meeting in the courthouse, schoolhouse and in various homes.

Theophilus Penn, one of the church's founding members, laid the cornerstone for the first church building in 1845. The building, located just off the Medina town square on West Liberty Street, was dedicated in 1847. The first Sunday School was organized the following year.

A second church building, adjacent to and including the first, was completed and dedicated debt-free in 1910, with one addition built in the 1920s and another in 1962. The church purchased 20 acres of land at 3646 Medina Road--our present location--in 1977, with groundbreaking on May 28, 1978. The building was completed in time for the November 1979 Missionary Conference. It was dedicated on Sunday, November 11, 1979.

On February 4, 2007, under the leadership of Pastor Mark Milioni, First Baptist added a second Sunday morning worship service. Total attendance for that Sunday: 686!

Further links on First Baptist Church of Medina's history:

Detailed History by Minnie Wells and others

Medina Christian Academy

History of Medina, Ohio

History of Medina County