A Legacy of Faith in Uniontown
In the southeast corner of the Great Wheat State is the small community of Uniontown. Situated near the Marmaton River just off of Highway 54, the tiny town is only one mile long and one-half mile wide. Its city limits include a post office, a bank, a tire shop, an elementary school, a high school, a city community building, a town park, and two churches. One of those churches sits on the edge of town just across the highway from the only gas station. Its this church, First Missionary Baptist Church (or FMBC), that so many folks who live in and around the charming town come to worship, praise and learn about God.
Marty Dewitt has been the pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church since 2002. He and his wife, Rhonda, have seen God do amazing things over the past twenty-three years they have served here. The way God moved to make a new building possible is just one example.
When Pastor Marty and Rhonda came to Uniontown, the church was located on the northeast side of the city square. The building was built by volunteers who constructed the original church building for $848.59. In 1903, with a membership of 20, the building was dedicated, and services began.
Over the years, many changes to that original structure were made. In 1938, Dr. Miller gave the Unity Church building to the church which was joined to the east end of the sanctuary. A balcony was added to the sanctuary also at that time. In 1963, a baptistry was added with a background mural painted by Charles Mosier. In 1965, an addition to the sanctuary was added to the north side. In 1982, fund raising began to build an addition to provide more Sunday School space and a fellowship hall.
In 2014, the church members became aware that the original sanctuary section, now over 100 years old, was in great need major reconstruction or an entirely new building. A vote was taken, and the church members agreed to build a new building. Shortly after that decision was made, the owner of the local Wyatt Earp Bed and Breakfast Inn, located at 100 5th Street just a few blocks away in Uniontown, called and offered the church that building. It was originally the community’s nursing home, then transformed into a bed and breakfast. With praise to God, the members felt this was God’s doing and began planning by appointing a building committee chaired by Ken Holt.
A letter was sent to the Volunteer Christian Builders group. This organization would go into communities in need and use their expertise to build churches, add rooms, or simply remodel. That letter asked if they would be willing to work on a new church building. In June of 2014, fifty-two volunteers from Volunteer Christian Builders, all well-equipped and knowledgeable about building churches, came to Uniontown and began constructing the new sanctuary. When they arrived, there was only a cement floor that would serve as the floor of the new sanctuary of the church. This great team began working on June 30th, and after only five days of working, the structure was enclosed, and roofers were putting on shingles. Among the group’s volunteers was an expert in window removal and installation. It became obvious that God was in control of bringing just the right people to the church. This man was able to removal all seven original stained-glass windows from the original church building and install them, without damage, into the new sanctuary. The new building was still far from ready to use, so church volunteers began hanging sheet rock. Around the first of August another Volunteer Christian Builders team came in and spent two weeks insulating, painting and finishing the process.
Without a doubt First Missionary Baptist Church owes so much to the Volunteer Christian Builders, but the one who deserves the most gratitude is our Heavenly Father. Over and over again, God orchestrated the work and workers to finish the building. Following the work of the Volunteer Christian Builders team, electricians, heat and air technicians and other professionals were hired to complete the church. On November 23rd, 2014, with some tears, the last service was held at the old church. A week later the first formal service at the new building commenced.
It has been a blessing to see countless people baptized in the new sanctuary over the past ten years. Since its beginning, the First Missionary Baptist Church pledged to always keep God first, and to preach and teach His message of salvation and redemption.
Our Pastor
Marty Dewitt
Pastor Marty has been faithfully serving First Missionary Baptist Church with a shepherd’s heart and a passion for biblical teaching. His messages are grounded in God’s Word and centered on helping people come to know Jesus personally.
Through his leadership, FMBC continues to grow as a church rooted in truth and committed to mission work both locally and globally.
As pastor of this great church,
I feel humbled and blessed to have
been a part of the work of the Lord
throughout these past 23 years.
Our Mission Ministries
It’s in the name. As a Missionary Baptist church, we love loving on those in need. Whether it be local or halfway across the world, FMBC has a heart for helping others. Our Missions Board meets every month to discuss the needs of the community and church. Currently our church supports the following missions:
Local
Blessing Closet of FMBC
C.L.I.C.K. Youth Group of FMBC
National
Bethel Neighborhood Center in Kansas City
Murrow Indian Children Home in Oklahoma
Weir Baptist Camp in Weir, Kansas
8 Days of Hope in Tupelo, MS
Bethel Neighborhood Center in Kansas City
The Murrow Indian Children’s Home
The Gideons International
International
John and Amanda Good in Italy
Elisey and Oksana Pronin in Ukraine
Nzunga and Kihomi Mabudiga in Dominican Republic