History of First Southern Baptist Church

The First Southern Baptist Church was called St. George
Baptist Mission, a mission of Cedar City, Utah, Baptist Church.

On December 8, 1963, a group under the leadership of Rev. K.M. Hutson, pastor of Cedar City Baptist Church, and Mr. Morris Lee met in thehome of Mrs. Nell Bass across the street from the fire station in St. George
for Bible study and worship. Some meetings were held in the first station and Elks Lodge Hall.

The group opened a new mission on September 9, 1963, at 10:00 a.m. in the St. George Library. Samuel Moses of Phoenix, Arizona, was pastor and Dave Stewart of of Cedar City was Sunday School superintendent with
19 present. Dave Stewart found property for sale at 300 East 600 South which was purchased October 20, 1964. Sunday School and worship services werecontinued in the library building until the present church was built.

On September 1, 1965, the first meeting was held in the new mission building. Brother T. J. Gamble returned to Clovis, N. M., June 26, 1966. The Mission was without a pastor part of the time for several years. “Wings
for Christ” Phoenix, Arizona, flew to St. George, weather permitting.  Brother Charles Ra and Brother Darwin E. Welsh sent ministers from various places to preach when they were unable to be in St. George.

April 28, 1965, the St. George Baptist Mission held their
first business meeting. A call was extended to Rev. T. J. Gamble, Jr and Mrs.Gamble, and they accepted the call. The St. George radio announced the services
every day at 11:00 a.m. On September 18, 1966, an invitation was extended to Brother Jack Edwards of Grapeland, Texas, to be our pastor, subject ot his approval by the Home Mission Board for salary supplement. Brother and Mrs. Edwards accepted the call.