History
The First Baptist Church of Graham was founded April 13, 1880. On this date, Rev. W.B. Long, was sent as a missionary to this section of the state by the Baptist General Association. Rev. Long, together with Rev. M.S. Stamps and Rev. G.W. Black called the Baptists together and the church was organized. The congregation consisted of W.C. Groner, R.F. Arnold, G.H. Long, Mrs. Catherine Allen, Mrs. Julia Arnold, Mrs. M.M. Arnold, Miss Emma Long, Mrs. Emma Gay, Mrs. Mary Carnahan, Walter Long and Mrs. S.H. Long.
Rev. W.B. Long was selected as the first pastor, Judge R.F. Arnold was elected church clerk, and G.H. Long was ordained as the first deacon of the new church. Gustavus Long was the first person baptized in the church.
In June 1881, Rev. Long resigned as pastor of the church leaving a membership of 28. He was succeeded by Rev. Compere, who served as pastor until July, 1882.
Rev. G.W. Black assumed the pastorate in January, 1883, and the church took on new life. Rev. Black resigned in July, 1884, and the church was without a pastor until, July, 1885, but the second building program was carried through and the first church still stands at the corner of Second and Grove Streets.
The second building was completed in 1908 when Rev. T.E. Cannedy was pastor. Following Rev. Cannedy was Rev. R.T. Rouse, 1910-1911; Rev. C.R. Taylor, 1911-1912; Rev. W.D. Boswell, 1912-1915; Rev. J.F. Huckelberry, 1915-1916; Rev. J.R. Reynolds, 1917-1918; Rev. C.R. Taylor, 1918-1923; Rev. Mckinley Norman, 1924-1925; Rev. W.E.B Lockridge, 1925-1929; Rev. J.D. Thorn, 1929-1941; Rev. Dallas Lee, 1941-1952; Rev. Hubert Foust, 1952-1973; Rev. John C. Wiles, 1974-1983; Rev. Ronnie G. Armstrong, 1984-1994. The present pastor, Rev. James C. Hill, began his ministry with this church in April, 1995.