The Beginnings
The First Baptist Church of Blair, Oklahoma was organized in March, 1893, at Dot School, a mile south of the present town of Blair, by J. H. McCuistion, county missionary. There were fourteen charter members: Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Reid, Mr. and Mrs. I. Kaminzind, Miss Etta Kaminzind, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. M. Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. Nelms, Miss Cora Nelms, and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Alien. These fourteen members remained active until the day they died or moved away.
The new church called no pastor at first, but Brother McCuistion preached the first Sunday each month, with conference Saturday and preaching Saturday night and Sunday. There was no church building during the first ten years. The members met in their homes or in the Dot School.
J. W. Solomon was the first pastor, serving one year, after which the little church disbanded.
In the fall of 1896, the church was reorganized by Brother George Setzer, who served as pastor for three years, but it once again floundered. The oldest records tell us that in February 1898, the church was reorganized and since that time has continued to function. Brother Setzer was again the pastor followed by J. H. Cook.

4 New Century - The 1900 's
In 1903 during Brother Setzer's ministry, the church moved to Blair and erected a building two blocks south and about two blocks east of the old building.
The Bible and the Church covenant spelled out the behavior this church demanded of its members. For a long while, there was an orderly walk committee which was to bring to the attention of the church any departure from orderly conduct. Then, two or three members would talk to the guilty and tell them in a loving but firm way to shape up. Counseling was no small matter. This church did not take lightly anything that they considered misbehavior. In earlier days those who did not come forward and confess their sin and ask forgiveness were dismissed from the church fellowship. Membership was withdrawn. Great care was taken to discover the truth about all accusations.
Throughout the church's recorded history, the minutes reveal that in an overwhelming majority of cases, the errant ones did appear before the church body and confess their sin, asking forgiveness. Naturally, the church gladly did forgive.
[n late 1907, the church voted to purchase lots nearer the business section and appointed a building committee. Plans were drawn to build a new church at the probable cost of $410. The church, not laving that kind of money, decided to mortgage the existing property, and to borrow $250. The church had a dinner on the ground and dedication day on May 31, 1908. Committees were formed to see to the reception and entertainment, and to "look after the hitching posts".

The 1920's
On the fifth Sunday in November, the church voted to have the deacons select a house with a view to purchase for a pastor's home. In January 1927, it was voted to build a barn and chicken house at the parsonage since the pastor had bought a cow and some chickens.
A portion of the records for the early 1920s are lost; but in April 1926, C. S. Bourns was called as pastor for the first and third Sundays at a salary of $75 a month.
The Baptist Young People's Union started in 1926. Sunday School was going strong. The church building had only one room, the sanctuary; therefore all the classes met in this one room. Prayer meeting was held on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. There was a Ladies' Mission and Aid Society, which met on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. The pastor had been requested to publish the names of all who had paid the pastor's salary — with the amounts. They bought a new blackboard. The church yard needed attention, and the men were asked to bring teams, plows and scrapers to fill in the low places around the church.
The second church house was painted white with a steeple, belfry, and bell. The windows had a border of stained glass, and between the two entrance doors on the west side was a large window made entirely of stained glass. The church soon paid off the mortgage but money problems continued. In September 1914, the church found itself with no money at all. The treasurer reported that the church was about $400 in debt for the pastor's salary for the past two years. The treasurer had already paid $200 himself. He tendered his resignation, and it was accepted. The church was, of course, used primarily as a house of worship; however, music
recitals, baccalaureate services, and commencements were often held there.
On June 16, 1928, the building was badly damaged in a tornado. One month later, the church voted in conference to tear down the remains of the building and build a new one. In 1929 the red brick, two-story church was constructed and valued at $16,000.
The new church had a baptistery. Previously, the ordinance of baptism had been administered elsewhere as per the minutes of 1913 — "On Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m., the ordinance of baptism was administered by Brother R. J. Morgan to 19 candidates for the church in Bitter Creek."

The 1930 's
It was necessary to borrow money to build this church. In September 1931, the church budget was cut to $800 for the coming year, including the pastor's salary of $40 per month. In October 1932 the church called Brother B. S. Hawkins of Altus, provided he would move on the field at a salary of $35 per month. In October 1933, Brother S. S. Elliott was called as pastor, and a final payment of $150 was made on the church debt. There was a dedication service December 17, 1933.

The 1940's. 1950's and 1960's
Only annual reports are available for the years between 1935 and August 1944. During these years, the membership grew from 183 to 323 and the gifts from $1,951.00 to $3,833.48. In 1950 the membership had grown to 481 and the gifts to $12,011.04.
In the 1950s, a youth educational building was constructed; and in1963, a nursery and preschool building was added as a memorial to Ruby and Edgar Vaughan, long time faithful members of the church. In 1969 a new parsonage was built on Hughes Street, and later a fellowship hall with kitchen joined the youth and nursery buildings together.

The 1980s
In 1983 the church observed its 90-year celebration with an all-day service of worship and fellowship with former ministers, guest speakers, and musicians featured. A covered dish dinner was served. Former pastors who attended were Brother and Mrs. J. M. Hart, Tombstone, Arizona; Brother and Mrs. Marshall Howard, Moore, Oklahoma; Brother Richard Shanks, Houston, Texas; and Brother and Mrs. C. T. Perkins, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In May 1986, after much prayer and planning, the members of the church voted to build a new sanctuary and additional classrooms. Fund raising and building committees were elected; and in August 1986, a ground breaking ceremony was held at the site where the new sanctuary would be constructed. Construction commenced in September 1986. It had been decided to raze the old church and build east of the nursery. A Texas firm, Paul and Associates, was engaged for construction; and at 2:00 p.m. on May 24, 1987, a dedication ceremony was held. All committees were commended for their dedicated service and hours spent working toward completion of the building. The building was beautifully constructed, decorated, and completely paid for on dedication day. God had blessed the church in a great way! The congregation was truly thankful, not only for the beautiful building, but for the spirit of cooperation, love, and fellowship demonstrated by every member and for the gifts and prayers of former members and friends of the church.

The 1990s
The lOOth-year Celebration of First Baptist Church, Blair, Oklahoma, was observed on Sunday, March 28, 1993. It was a day of reunion, fellowship, praise and thanksgiving.

The church has been blessed through the years by wonderful pastors and their families.

1893 J. H. McCuistion (preached but not pastor)
1895 J. W. Solomon
1896-1898 George Setzer
1903 J. H. Cook
1907 J. L. Walker
1908 W. W. Danner
1910-1914 R. J. Morgan
1917 J. J. Stricklin
1918 R. M. Jennings
1918 J. A. Ogle
1920 J. W. Hopper (or Hooper)
1925 Brother Darnell
1926 C. S. Bourns
1928 J. D. Vaughn
1932-1933 B. S. Hawkins
1933-1935 S. S. Elliott
1935-1937 C. T. Perkins
1937-1940 Frank Box
1940-1941 No record
1941-1942 A. J. Ward
1942-1946 E. N. Campbell
1946-1948 Frank Elkins
1948-1950 Omer Hyde
1951-1954 J. M. Hart
1954-1959 W. L. Magar
1959-1968 J. C. Crabbe
1968-1981 Marshall Howard
1981 Richard Shanks
1982-1983 Robert Wilson
1983-1988 Roy McDaniel
1989-1992 Keith Barbee                                              1992-1996 Lawrence Gresham                                       1996 - Randy Mitchell

Credits:
Portions of this account were taken from the Church Directory compiled by Brother Omer Hyde, about 1949, and from the 90th Year Celebration History written by Doris Watson McWhorter, 1983.