Central Business District in Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Baptist Church

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2022

1. First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription.

Constructed in 1853, this is the oldest church building in Kalamazoo. Titus Bronson, the city’s founder, donated this site on Church Square. The Baptist faith reached the Kalamazoo River Valley in 1826 when missionary Leonard Slater preached to the Indians. In 1836 fourteen settlers led by Jeremiah Hall, a Baptist minister from Vermont, met in the home of Ezekiel Ransom to organize the First Baptist Church.

The history of the First Baptist Church and Kalamazoo College are closely interwoven. The same year that the church was organized, the Reverend Jeremiah Hall persuaded the Michigan and Huron Institute, now Kalamazoo College, to settle in this city. The second pastor, Dr. James H.B. Stone, was an early president of the college and many of his successors in that office have been active in this congregation. Over the years the First Baptist Church has served as the parent church of several parishes in outlying areas.

Erected 1977 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L338.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 42° 17.487′

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N, 85° 35.172′ W. Marker is in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is in the Central Business District. Marker is at the intersection of West Michigan Avenue and South Church Street, on the right when traveling east on West Michigan Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kalamazoo Disabled Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Kalamazoo Case: Establishing High School for All (about 300 feet away); Titus Bronson 1778-1853 (about 400 feet away); Spanish War Veterans Monument (about 400 feet away); In Memoriam U.S.S Maine (about 400 feet away); Kalamazoo Korean War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Molly Barker (about 500 feet away); First United Methodist Church (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalamazoo.

First Baptist Church Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

2. First Baptist Church Marker Reverse

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

3. First Baptist Church Marker

At the southwest corner of intersection of
W. Michigan Avenue and S. Church Street

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

4. First Baptist Church Marker

This view is to the east along West Michigan Avenue.

First Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, May 30, 2014

5. First Baptist Church

<i>First Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, Mich.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1915

6. First Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, Mich.

First Baptist Church Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, February 12, 2023

7. First Baptist Church Detail

First Baptist Church Dedication - 1859 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, February 12, 2023

8. First Baptist Church Dedication - 1859

First Baptist Church - Remodeled 1913 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, February 12, 2023

9. First Baptist Church - Remodeled 1913

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 518 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 20, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 18, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 6. submitted on November 11, 2014. 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 16, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.