On Saturday before the first Sunday in May, 1822, a small group of believers met in a Midwestern Indiana community, which a year later would be known as Greencastle, and established a Baptist Church. Reported to be the first denomination of any faith to organize here, the new congregaton was first called Baptist Church of Big Walnut, but later this name was dropped in favor of the thriving young town of Greencastle.

In 1855 the church erected a building on the corner of Spring and Poplar Streets. This property, purchased from the Methodists, would serve as the location of the church for the next century. In the winter of 1867-68 a tornado leveled the first structure. Dr. Fisk very generously invited the congregation to worship in the Second Presbyterian Church, proposing to divide the time with them. The invitiation was accepted and Rev. Parks occupied the pulpit the next Sunday morning. Within two years the congregation had constructed a new house of worship on their Spring and Poplar Street Site.

To meet the needs of a growing congregation, a number of building programs have been carried out over the years. About 1915, a basement was dug and shortly after 1920, a Sunday School unit was added. In the early 1950's rooms were added as living quarters for the minster and his family.

In 1965, the Baptist congregation announced plans for a new church building on a 6.7 acre site northeast of the city. After a capital funds drive and by selling the old church and parsonage, money was available to begin the new structure which was occupied on the second Sunday in February, 1969. During the construction period, service were held in the Greencastle Junior High Building across the street from the old church.

In 1983, a new sanctuary and office wing were added to the church building. The church celebrated it 175th anniversary in May, 1997. The last mortgage payment on the building was made in September, 1997, and the church was debt free for the first time in more than 30 years.

On January 1, 1977, Rev. Paul H. Bowen became the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church. He has been assisted since the early 1980's by several associates-Rev. Steve Hall, Dr. Mark Simpson, Rev. Jason Holm, and Mr. Scott McPhedran. On January 4, 1998, Rev. Jimmy Collins accepted the call to become Associate Pastor. On October 9, 2006, Rev. Bowen retired and received the Pastor Emeritus Award from First Baptist Church. On October 16, 2006, Dr. Clyde McCammack became the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church. In May 2008, Dr. Clyde McCammack resigned as the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church. Rev. Ron Riggs is currently our interim pastor.