First Baptist Church (Jasper, Alabama)
First Baptist Church, also known as Jasper's First Baptist Church (JFBC or Jasper's FBC), is a Southern Baptist church in Jasper, Alabama. JFBC is the largest church by both facility square footage and membership in Walker County.
Ministries
Jasper's FBC offers personnel to the following groups:
Age Groups
- Adults
- Children (Kindergarten-5th grade)
- College
- Hearing Impaired
- Music
- Choir
- Ensembles
- Handbells
- Preschool
- Recreation
- Senior Adults
- Singles
- Technical
- Young Adults
- Youth (7th grade-12th grade)
Sanctuary
Opened on January 24, 1999, the current sanctuary seats approximately 950 people. The capacity of the previous sanctuary was approximately 700 and, after a vote by church members, was demolished in 1997 to allow for church growth. During the construction of the new sanctuary, services were held in the cafeteria of the Family Life Center.
On the outside of the new sanctuary, measuring eight feet wide by twelve feet tall and weighing 1,200 pounds is a stained glass window in memory of member Pat Grimes, who died in 1991.
Family Life Center
The Family Life Center (FLC) was opened in 1989. Amenities include a full court basketball gymnasium, walking track (1/18 mile), table games, a cafeteria with removable walls, a full-service kitchen, as well as choral and music facilities.
The FLC sits on a parcel of land once occupied by the parsonage and its adjoining playground. The parsonage served dual duties, acting as both meeting space for Sunday School classes, as well as personal residence to then music minister, Conrad Howell.
When it was decided that the FLC would be constructed on the site, JFBC sold the parsonage to a private individual. The parsonage was then cut into two pieces and moved to another location outside of Heritage Hills, a Jasper neighborhood.
Youth Center
In 2003 Jasper's FBC purchased the facility previously owned by Collins-Burke Funeral Home. The building now houses a small sanctuary, as well as meeting rooms. Prior to their current facility, JFBC youth met in a church-owned facility next to the Family Life Center.
Single's Center
JFBC's Single's meet in the student center.
Playground
The children's playground sits on the corner of 16th St W and 5th Ave. It is used primarily for preschoolers attending JFBC's weekday child care program. Prior to its current location, the playground was situated in the backyard of the parsonage. Prior to hosting the children's playground, the parcel of land at 5th and 16th was home to the JFBC Youth Group who met in an old two-story home which was owned by the church.