The First Baptist Church of Arkoma was first organized under the name of the Calvary Baptist Church on August 26, 1927. The first recorded church roll included 39 members. As of 2008, the church has over 600 resident members.
Some interesting dates during its history are:
· July 19, 1928 - Members decided to build a brush arbor for Sunday School and church services. The first piano was bought on terms of $5.00 per month.
· September 23, 1928 - The present lot where our church sits now was purchased for $100.00.
· July10, 1929 -Calvary Baptist Church and Mt. Zion Baptist Church were combined with the suggested name of Arkoma Emmanuel Baptist Church.
· July 14, 1929 - The name adopted at the business meeting was Arkoma Missionary Baptist Church.
· 1931 - The church became affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and was named First Baptist Church, Arkoma.
· September 30, 1936 - First salary for the pastor was set at $12.50 per month.
· 1951 - The present auditorium was erected.
· January 1, 1958 - Built a new cabin at Kiamichi Baptist Assembly.
· May, 1992 - Built a new parsonage.
· June, 1997 - Built a new log cabin at Kiamichi Baptist Assembly.
· 2008 - The church is praying about a new building program.
Pastor's Pathway
· Bro. Shipley Jan. 1928 - Sep. 1929
· Warren Allen Oct. 1929 - June 1930
· I. N. Mulkey Aug. 1930 - Aug. 1935
· Willie Kelly Oct. 1935 - Jan. 1939
· A. D. Kent Feb. 1939 - June 1940
· Otis Corbin Aug. 1940 - Mar. 1945
· W. J. Nance Mar. 1945 - Aug. 1947
· Mark Browning Oct. 1947 - Aug. 1952
· Doyne Harrald Sep. 1952 - Aug. 1963
· James Miller Nov. 1963 - Oct. 1968
· Phil Lewis (I)* Dec. 1968 - Aug. 1969
· Gerald Kelly Sep. 1969 - Nov. 1972
· Troy Richards (I)* Jan. 1973 - Feb. 1973
· Billy Hickman May 1973 - Aug. 1976
· Rex Rogers Dec. 1976 - May 1983
· Joe Bagwell Sep. 1983 - Aug. 1985
· Rick Bateman Apr. 1986 - Nov. 1988
· Rick Kester Jun. 1989 - Present
