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A History of First Baptist
from "A History of First Baptist Church Hugo, Oklahoma" by Pat Curtis

Reverend W.A. Robberson and Reverend Bonnie (Bennie) Grimes of Leonard, Texas, held a series of meetings in Hugo sometime in the early spring months of 1902. A small group met in a tent on Duke Street, (approximately 121 East Duke Street) and organized the First Baptist Church of Hugo on Sunday afternoon, May 11, 1902. Reverend Robberson presided as moderator and Reverend Grimes served as secretary. Reverend Robberson read articles of Faith and the Church Covenant as found in J.M. Pendleton's Church Manual. All present accepted these articles of Faith and so began the organization of the church. Five charter members were recognized: Mr. McDaniels, Mr. Claxton, Miss Willie Echols, Misses Maudie and Connie Griffith. Also, Mrs. Carry Davis, Mr. W.J. Koger, and Mr. M.W. Curry. Mrs. Carry Morton was received as a candidate for baptism. In a called meeting that night, Mr. J.M. Morton, Mrs. C.J. Morton and Mr. J.O. Daughtry joined the new church by letter. Mrs. Bessie Mitchel came for baptism. Reverend Robberson was chosen as pastor of the newly organized church, but records indicate he served for only a few months. Minutes also indicate that Reverend Grimes and Reverend J.E. Potts, of the Hugo Missionary Baptist Church, preached occasionally to the group. The group elected Mr. W.J. Koger as church clerk.

On September 27, 1902, the church decided to elect a pastor and church clerk. Reverend Jerry H. Crain was chosen as pastor on November 1, 1902, with a salary of $100.00 a year. Mr. J.M. Morton was elected as church clerk at that time. Reverend Crain set forth plans to reorganize the Sunday School. At a meeting on January 24, 1903, Mr. J.A. Pennington, Sr. was named as the first Sunday School Superintendent.

Since the church had no definite church building, a building committee was appointed on January 25, 1903, to see about purchasing a lot and building a church. Under Reverend Crain's leadership and with the work of the building committee, a small building valued at about $2,500.00 was erected at Second and Bluff Streets. A carpenter by the name of Mr. Finley was given the bid to build the church. The Ladies Aid Society played a great role in contributing funds to be use in the construction of the new church. During the process of building the church, the congregation met temporarily in the Methodist Church.

On April 10, 1912 the church voted to endorse a movement started by the men, to build a new church, not to cost less than $12,000.00. By 1917 when Reverend R.C. Miller, Sr. came as pastor the church had outgrown the building on North Second and a lot on the corner of Third and Jackson was purchased where a large tent was then erected. The church worshiped here two years while money was being raised to start the new building. In 1920 work was begun on an $80,000.00 building that would eventually cost $114,000.00. 

transcribed by Ron Henson

First Baptist Church Website