August 26, 1866 the Church of Lester Center, was organized.  There was more of the Baptist faith at the meeting, so it was decided to become a Baptist Church.  They had Sabbath Worship Services, monthly Covenant Meetings, and Communion every 3 months.

 

1892- they decided to move the church building to Dunkerton.  They got as far as a pasture, and got bogged down in the mud.  Then had to wait until the ground froze over, in the late fall.  One story is that someone had trouble driving cattle past the building as they shied away of the structure and took off in the wrong direction.  Then the Crane Creek bridge wasn't wide enough to take it across, so they had to plank the creek, and the horses pulled it up the bank on the frozen ground.  James and Christian Dunkerton gave the lot where the building was placed to the church.  The building was rededicated on Sept. 24, 1892.

 

1910- Free Will Baptist Church consolidated with other Baptists and now known as First Baptist Church.

 

 1971- An electrically lighted brick bulletin board was built and put on the South lawn, in memory of Bert Bartholomew and Earl Magee.

 

1974- an Allen 120 computer Organ was purchased.

 

1984-  a large gold cross was put up in the front of the sanctuary in memory of Juanita Moeller.

 

1997- the church is now affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

1999- a flood from the Crane Creek filled the basement and 2 inches on the main floor.  The basement had to gutted and the main floor re-carpeted.  A Fellowship Hall was built on with help from Arkansas men.

 

2000- A scripture garden was started by the front entrance to the Fellowship Hall.  The garden contains plants mentioned in the Bible.

 

2005- brought many modern changes.  A new Rolland Digital Piano was purchased for the sanctuary.  A new computer was purchased for the church office.  The new sound system was installed in the church with a projector and a power point system.   A new 2-sided copy machine was purchased.  Rebuilt the steeple roof and replaced the vented siding with solid on the bell tower.