| Timeline
1872 – Community of Melissa founded
1873 – Melissa receives first post office
1882 – First school built in Melissa
1884 – Melissa pop.: 100
1884 – October 18, The Baptist Church of Christ at Melissa is organized by Pastor Levi Dunn and 22 charter members, P. A. Humphries, Bettie Parris, S. J. Parris, John G. Humphries, Delia Lair, Martha Graves, James M. Graves, Mary Crain Harriet Shirley, G. A. Humphries, Martha A. Vanters, T. C. Lair, Z. T. Humphries, Mary Slaughter, Virginia R. Ogilvie, Frederic H. Ogilvie, Mary Atkinson, Suzie Humphries, Maranda F. Gibson, John F. Gibson, James S. Hill, and E. P. Hill. The first deacon was J. M. Graves, F. H. Ogilvie was the first church clerk, and J. S. Hill was the first church treasurer. Sunday worship services held monthly.
1886 – (December) TBCCM decides to select a site on which to build, to be located on the south end of the F. H. Ogilvie lot. Plans were developed to contract a church building with J. F. Gibson, J. S. Hill and J. M. Graves appointed as trustees for church property, and the same with the addition of T. C. Lair, appointed as a building committee. Services led by Pastor William Dunn.
1887 – Funds being sent to Home Missions and Buckner Orphans Home. Records show gifts of five dollars to Home Missions and eleven dollars to the orphans were sent that year.
1890 – Melissa pop.: 150
1890 – (March 30) First building dedicated, debt-free
1891 – (December) Name changed to Melissa Baptist Church. Services led by Pastor John W. Connelly.
1892 – (April 17) first Sunday School organized.
1898 – (April 1) Training Union (discipleship class) was organized with thirty members, with J. H. Graves as director. Ladies Aid Society (later known as Women’s Missionary Union and then FBCM Women’s Ministry) organized. Church begins meeting twice monthly.
1900 – Melissa pop.: 266
1914 – Melissa pop.: 400
1921 – (April 13) Tornado destroys original building and most of city of Melissa.
(May 1) Decision made by church members to build a new facility. Services led by Pastor G.L. West.
(July) $2,000 note issued for rebuilding cost
1924 – (December) Rebuilt building dedicated, debt-free. Services led by Pastor Joe Pearce.
1925 – (April) Seats purchased ($700) from First Christian Church of Sherman.
1925 – Melissa pop.: 500
1930 – Melissa pop.: 375
1939 – (April 16) Baptistery completed and used for the first time.
1948 – (August 15) Church begins weekly worship services. Services led by Pastor Truman Skaggs.
1950 – Melissa pop.: 285
1950 – Building Improvements: Re-papering, repainting, carpet added, piano purchased.
1952 – (June) Name officially changed to The First Baptist Church of Melissa.
1953 – (September) First parsonage completed; Cost: $4,700.
1955 – Air Conditioning added to the sanctuary. Services led by Pastor Loren White.
1959 – Major remodeling, including: folding partition doors, complete sheet-rocking, acoustic ceiling, painting, new carpet, floor refinishing, new baptistery with dressing rooms, built-in literature cabinets, new roof. Cost: $12,227.97. Services led by Pastor J.C. Ogg.
1961 – (March 19) Church votes to add an educational building adjoining the sanctuary. Plans included heating/cooling system, plumbing, Sunday School rooms, nursery, pastor’s study, dining room, kitchen, restrooms, entry hall, outside entrance, and parking area. $22,000 note issued.
1963 – (October) Education building dedicated; note burned. Services led by Pastor Clyde T. Boyd.
1966 – Original parsonage sold for $4,500. New brick parsonage (located at 3306 McKinney St/Hwy 5) built. The parsonage was built on a lot deeded by Mary Lou and Ruth Graves in memory of their father J. H. Graves. Cost: $17,800. Services led by Pastor Glenn Bridges.
1977 – Major structural improvements, including: new peaked roof built over existing flat roof, stucco exterior, new foyer, new choir loft, repainting inside & out, new carpet, paneling, and folding door panels. Cost: $49,000. Services led by Pastor Mac Pope.
1980 – Melissa pop.: 604
1990 – Melissa pop.: 557
1998 – Church votes to relocate. Land search committee formed, composed of members James Bell, Brian Hall, Allan Baxter, Paul Griffin, and Al Guin. Land identified and secured in December. Land located at intersection of SH 121 and FM 545 in Melissa. Cost: $214,000.
1999 – (February 28) Special service held on new property, led by Pastor Morgan Malone.
1999 – (June 27) Dedication service held on new property.
2002 – (May 1) Current senior pastor, Trey Graham, called as 38th pastor in church history.
2002 – (December 1) Church begins two Sunday morning worship services each week.
2003 – Design begins for facilities to be constructed on new property. Brian Billings serves as Building Committee chairman, with committee members Tim Buchanan, Larry Magers, Art Collins, Doris Hanson, Kathy Mixson, Kevin Barham, Ed Newsome, Charlie Whittington, Allen Calvert, and Kassie Koons.
2003 – (April 20) Easter Sunday morning worship services celebrated with a total of 312 people in attendance, a record attendance for the church.
2003 – (May 18) Ground-breaking ceremony held for new facilities. Planned facilities include more than 21,000 square feet of multi-purpose worship, education, kitchen, fellowship, and office space. Projected cost: $2,100,000.
2004 – (March) Construction begins on new worship facility.
2004 – (November 14) Grand Opening celebration as church moves into new worship facility.
2005 – (March 27) Three Easter Sunday morning worship services celebrated with a total of 645 people in attendance, a record attendance for the church.
2006 – (April 16) Three Easter Sunday morning worship services celebrated with a total of 808 people in attendance, a record attendance for the church.
2006 – (Summer) Impact Week 2006 was a huge ministry success, with more than 400 First Melissa volunteers giving more than 3,100 volunteer hours of community service work in six different cities over seven days.
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