HISTORY of First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church of Thermopolis, Wyoming was organized in a school building at the corner of 5th and Big Horn Streets in 1904. One of the Big Horn Basin’s native sons, the Reverend Orin Gould, then pastor at Meeteetse, led the formation of the new church.

A new stone church was built on the corner of 8th and Warren Streets and occupied on July 21, 1932. At that time it also included a section which served as parsonage until December of 1949 when the new parsonage was occupied.

On Friday, November 26th, 1954, the First Baptist Church of Thermopolis celebrated its 50th anniversary. High points of the day included the burning of the last mortgage on the church property and the receiving of the first offering for a much needed new educational building.

Acting in almost child-like faith a building committee was elected and instructed to contact an architect and determine the feasibility of an educational addition. The educational unit, completed in 1957 provided new floor space in excess of 12,000 square feet. The church became debt free November 15th, 1972.

Sixteen pastors served the church from 1904 to 1947. During this time the church was a mission of the American Baptist Convention. As a result, many pastors came and went during the first 30 years. All of them were missionary pastors and evangelists.

In 1933 Pastor T.F. Kelly from Gebo agreed to hold morning services. Pastor T.L. Sharrah was the pastor during the year 1934. Then in 1935 Pastor L.K. Barbee answered the call. During his stay a baptistery was installed. Previously all baptismal services were held at one of the swimming pools in the State Park. The first Daily Vacation Bible School was held in 1936. In 1939 Pastor Barbee left Thermopolis to go to Jackson, Wyoming. Pastor George Hooper came in May of that year and stayed until October of 1942. During Brother Hooper’s pastorate, lots adjoining the church were purchased for a parsonage.

In 1943 Pastor Joe Wiens came and was pastor until 1947. From 1943 until 1950, the Sunday Schools of Morningside and Middleton were considered branches of the Thermopolis Sunday School.

On June 7th, 1947, Pastor and Mrs. Harley Pulis came and almost immediately we began broadcasting the Morning Worship Service over KWOR. That year the Lucerne Church voted to commute to Thermopolis for services. In 1949 thirty members from the Lucerne Church joined the Thermopolis congregation. The new parsonage was finished in 1949.

In 1954 the church mortgage was burned and the church was debt free, the first time since 1931. An offering was taken to launch a building program for a new educational unit. Ground breaking was held in October, 1955. That same year the old parsonage was torn down and the basement across the entire south side of the church property was excavated. Through the sale of bonds and gift-giving, $90,000.00 was raised for construction of the building. In 1957 two lots facing Clark Street were purchased for church parking.

The first issue of the Baptist Messenger, a weekly newsletter from the church office to members and friends, was mailed January 9, 1958.

In 1978 the church purchased the Vlastos property which adjoins the church property on the south for $65,000.00. Part of the area was to be used for church parking. The house was rented out for a time. In 1979 the old parsonage was sold to Baird & Sons to be moved to their ranch on Cottonwood. The money from the sale of the parsonage made it possible to finish paying off the indebtedness on the Vlastos property with some left over towards the building fund for a new sanctuary.

The church voted to disassociate themselves from the American Baptist Convention in 1980.

A new church sanctuary was built during the early 1980's and dedicated in 1984. It is the present place of worship. Pastor Harley Pulis served the Lord as Sr. Pastor from 1947 to 1986. He went to be with the Lord in September of 1986 and the church had three different pastors from then until Pastor Harvey Seidel came in May of 1994.

The church purchased the Ramsey property in 1996 and the house was prepared for a Missions House and the apartments are rented.

First Baptist Church celebrated it's 100th Anniversary in June of 2004. Many letters were received from members who have moved and sent their congratulations. Eddie Neese and Judy (Pulis) were our special speakers for the festivities.

There are many people and whole families who have been touched by the ministry of the First Baptist Church of Thermopolis, WY. The gospel of Christ continues to be the central theme of of this solid ministry. Please view our page on "our message" and learn of your need to know Christ and grow in His grace.

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