First Baptist Church of Reno Records

The First Baptist Church of Reno, Nevada Records thoroughly documents two aspects of the Reno Baptist Church community: that of the Board of Trustees; and the numerous organizations.

The largest series in this collection is Series 1, Administrative Records. This series documents the growth of the church, from its mission status in 1875 to creation of branch missions in Verdi and East Reno (Sparks), to its position today as one of several Baptist churches in Reno. As one of Reno's leading churches, the First Baptist Church reflects the history of Reno itself, illustrating the economic and social changes which were happening in the community at large as well as in the church. Series 1 consists of minutes of general congregational and Trustees' meetings, beginning with the organizational meeting in 1875 and continuing to 1999. The volumes, marked Records, additionally contain covenants, constitutions and bylaws, statistics, and membership rolls. The membership rolls contain useful information about who belonged to the Church, dates that individuals joined or left the church, the marriage of women members, and deaths. Other information inserted into the minutes includes financial reports and some correspondence, principally concerning the resignation of ministers and lay leaders. The minutes themselves contain committee reports; accounts of general church and organization activities; and discussions pertaining to the physical and financial management of the church.

Substantive documentation of church activities is contained in the minutes of the many women's organizations. The oldest of these was the Ladies' Serving Society/Ladies' Aid Society, for which there are minutes from 1896-1915. The longest existing women's organization was the Dorcas Circle/Women's Auxiliary which was active from before 1899. Both the Ladies' Aid and the Auxiliary were important adjuncts to the Board of Trustees, assisting in the spiritual, physical, and financial maintenance of the church. Minutes of their meetings provide evidence of the prominent families in the church: the Frazers, Coffins, Sawins, Wedekinds, Churches, and Adams, to name a few. These societies and circles were major opportunities for social interaction in Reno, with regular meetings held several times a month and committee meetings in between for specific functions such as bazaars and church suppers.

Other records worth noting are the church histories written by Maude Sawin Taylor; the newspaper clippings; and the photographs. The church histories provide accounts of the several church buildings; lists of ministers; and events of note. The clippings supplement the histories and also provide published accounts of the Women's Auxiliary activities and prominent church members such as Dr. James Edward Church, Jr., known as the founder and developer of snow surveying, his wife Florence Humphrey Church, and the Rev. Brewster Adams.

The photographs depict early, prominent members and ministers, and the several church buildings occupied by the First Baptist Church of Reno, Nevada. Other images include a photo of the Verdi mission church; the interior of the railroad chapel car used for the East Reno Baptist mission; a church camp session at Sugar Pine, 1960; early Reno streets and buildings; an early Reno bridge; and scenes at a church dinner.