On August 5, 1851, a group of 17 Christians assembled for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church in Downers Grove. They adopted articles of faith and a covenant and called G. F. Holt to be the first pastor. Meetings were held in a schoolhouse located on West Maple Avenue at Dunham Road. The church was first called “The First Baptist Church and Society.”
By the spring of 1853, the membership had increased to 52, some of whom had been baptized in mid-winter in the St. Joe River. Land at 929 Maple Avenue was given to the church by Samuel Curtiss in January, 1854. A new church building was constructed on the land by the men of the church at a cost of about $1,200.
Fire destroyed the church building in May 1871 and the membership, then numbering 90, launched another building program. In March, 1872, the church celebrated the dedication of their new building debt-free.
