History of First Baptist Church   We started as a Minute Man project of the Arizona Conservative Baptist Convention, this project was dedicated to starting 56 churches in Arizona in 1956.   Dr. Claude Moffett and a friend came to Bagdad to discuss with the manager of Bagdad Copper Corporation the possibility of starting a Baptist Church here.  The company had the authority to grant or deny permission for a church or any venture because they owned the town of Bagdad, all the land, the houses, the store, the gas station, everything.  Dr. Moffett was told that Bagdad already had enough churches and permission was denied.  Not easily discouraged, they went to their car and had lunch; during this time they prayed and asked God to intervene.  They went back to the manager’s office after lunch and asked again, this time permission was granted for them to start what would become the First Baptist Church of Bagdad.     The first meeting was held on Mother’s Day, May 12, 1956 with about 125 people in attendance. Rev. Longsberry preached that day and there were several decisions for salvation made that day.  This service was held in a mobile chapel which was used until a permanent building could be secured.   On Mother’s Day, May 13, 1957 the church was organized and officially became the “First Baptist Church of Bagdad,” it was at this time that the first pastor, John T. Cain, was called.  In July of 1957 ground was leveled and prepared for the arrival of an Army Barracks from the old Army Air Force base in Kingman, AZ.  This building was refurbished and used as the main sanctuary until the early 1970s when a new block Sanctuary was constructed.  The old sanctuary now serves as the Fellowship Hall and also houses the nursery, Sunday School classrooms, and the pastor’s office.   The following men have served as pastors through the years to the present time:                           John Cain                                          1957 – 1963                         Denny Parsons                                1963 – 1966                         Kenneth Evins                                 1966 – 1969                         Merton Hibbard                             1969 – 1972                                    Thurman Ullman                            1972 – 1979                         Robert Irvine                                   1980 – 1984                         Sam Cutshall                                    1984 – 1986                         Stan Peachey                                   1986 – 1991                         Robert Irvine (2nd time)                1991 – 1994                         Robert VanderBurg                       1994 – 2000                         Nick Minerva                                   2000 – 2003                         Douglas Culver                                2004 – present   It was under the direction of Pastor VanderBurg that the church left the Conservative Baptist Convention and became an Independent Baptist Church.