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 Reverend O.C. Wheeler was God’s instrument to give the first spark of flame for the First Baptist Church of Stockton. He sent a letter on October 1, 1849 to Captain Weber asking for the donation of property for the building of a church. That spark became a tiny flame in 1853 when J.B. Saxton of the American Baptist Home Mission Society selected Stockton as his first field of labor. He resided on South Sutter Street and had seventeen members in his home on March 6, 1853 to organize the First Baptist Church.
The seventeen who were the charter members back in 1853 were people of faith. For three months they worshiped in a school on the corner of Market and San Joaquin streets until they found a fandango hall on South Center Street which was purchased and prepared as a house of worship. It was dedicated on May 22, 1853. The new church moved to the corner of Lindsay and Hunter on June 11, 1860. The challenges were different then, but they rose to face them with a deep faith in a loving God who had brought this congregation into being.
The church building, which stood from 1860 to 1910, measures 45’ x 87’ with a tower and steeple 130’ high surmounted with a gilded hand 6’ tall. The hand had its index finger pointed upward toward Heaven. The auditorium and balcony seated 500 people. It was dedicated in June of 1861, the same year that the oldest picture on record was taken.
 Plans were laid in September 1908 for the erection of the building which was destined to stand on Lindsay and Hunter from 1910 to 1953. Services were held on March 12, 1911 in dedication of the new building.
God continues to write history through His people. The next milestone for First Baptist Church took place under the leadership of Reverend Curtis Nims when the congregation purchased acreage on the corner of El Dorado and Euclid streets. The first spade full of earth was turned during ground-breaking ceremonies for a new building on February 15, 1953. The first two buildings and acreage were completely debt free. The plans for our present sanctuary were drawn when Dr. Emmet Parks was our pastor and the present sanctuary was dedicated on September 10, 1961.
Outstanding ministers have pastored this thriving congregation  through the years and each left a significant mark on the lives of people and the ministry of the church. We found God to be faithful and as people of faith, the ministry has moved forward and expanded for 157 wonderful years.
God has placed the future of First Baptist in our hands once again. Under the leadership of Dr. James Dunn and his staff, the Lord is constantly revealing His challenges and hopes for the unfolding story of growth and mission. We are called to demonstrate the same faith and commitment of those who have laid such a strong foundation upon which we build.
In 1991, our congregation financed the renovation of our Worship Center and the upgrading of our Education Facilities. In 1996, we added our Welcome Center and in 2003, we began the construction of the Children’s Building.
 This Children's Building has not only allowed our church to grow and expand, but also began housing our First Baptist Christian School in 2004.
First Baptist Church has enjoyed a long and prosperous ministry to the people of Stockton and nearby cities. With the Lord's blessing, we will continue our vision of helping people take their next step in knowing Jesus and making Him known, for many years to come.
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