In the year of 1839, the Baptists worshipped with the Methodists in a log church called Sulphur Springs, located near Doliska. When the railroad lines were built through East Walker County in 1866, many people moved into the area, thus the beginning of a booming coal mining town called Sharon (later to be renamed Dora). Years later, in 1905, the Methodists withdrew from the Baptists and moved to another location.
Pioneer members from the Baptist Church split into two churches in 1905; First Baptist and Providence Baptist were the names given the two churches. Both churches participated in a great revival in August 1918. L. B. Wages, Pastor of First Baptist Church, and John Moore, Pastor of Providence Baptist Church, officiated. During that revival, both churches agreed to consolidate. The building used by First Baptist was torn down and all services were held at Providence until a new church facility could be constructed.
Having organized themselves into one church body, First Baptist called as her first pastor, Brother L. B. Wages. Serving with the pastor as deacons were A. T. Baugh, J. G. York, J. H. Beavers, Charles Lehman, M. S. New, D. D. Harper and C. L. Phillips.
In 1919, the church moved into her brand new building on Main Street and became incorporated as Dora Baptist Church. From her beginning and through the years, the church has maintained a close working relationship with her sister churches in and through the North River Association and then through the Walker Baptist Association . First Baptist was among the first strong and consistent supporters and contributors to the Southern Baptist Co-operative Program as a means of financing missions at home and abroad. The church has been strongly mission-minded through the years and has always maintained a conscious awareness of her responsibilities to win people to Christ here at home.
In the early 1960's the decision was made to move location and erect a new building. In April 1964 construction began and approximately one year later on Easter April 18, 1965, the new building was entered with joy. Many former members and friends “came home” to see what had been done at Dora’s First Baptist Church. It was a time of celebration and joy for all and the beginning of ministry and worship at the site which we now occupy.
A new pastorium was completed in 1969 and in 1972 the Kindergarten ministry was started – at the time there were no public kindergarten programs. Under the ministry of Bill Butler, in 1982, the Church erected a Christian Life Building to be used for fellowship, ministry and teaching. It also houses the kindergarten ministry that is still going strong today.
The following is a list of pastors that have served at Dora’s First Baptist Church.
R. W. Carlisle 1917 Wilford Pritchard 1948-49
L. B. Wages 1918 James B. Lawson 1951-56
J. B. Wages 1919-21 Max Davis 1956-60
T. F. Hendon 1922 William M. Ryan 1960-62
T. V. Shoemaker 1923-25 Murray Guthrie 1962-65
J. W. Jones 1926-28 Zack Winningham 1966
T. J. Halfacre 1929-31 B. Max Byrd 1968-1981
James A. Pate 1933-35 Bill Butler 1981-89
H. M. Layman 1936 Steve Stogner 1989-93
C. B. Sims 1938-39 John Hambright 1994-2000
Titus Aldridge 1940 Chad Blevins 2000-2001
W. L. Gilliland 1941-45 Chip Joiner 2003-2005
W. J. Glaze 1946 Lee Taylor 2006-Present
Alva E.Thompson 1947
And many interim pastors as were needed
