In late November 1955, Clara Phillips, a nurse at Mt. Edgecombe Hospital and Nancy Hill, a clerk-typist at the same installation, were praying earnestly about the possibility of starting a Baptist Church in this area.  There were other Baptist in the area who were also praying for a church.  They wanted a place where people could hear about the transforming power of Jesus Christ. 

     Both of these girls were eager to do more then just pray for a church to get started.  Nancy contacted Ray Huff, a painter and a lay Baptist preacher and set a date to have their first meeting.  In the meantime the girls had contacted L. A. Watson, Executive-Secretary, of the Alaska Baptist Convention to find out the procedures in establishing a Baptist church.

 

     On Sunday evening January 8, 1956 the first meeting was held in the Sitka Women's Club Room, Ray Huff was moderator.  There were seven people present.  They decided to have meetings Sunday evening and Wednesday evenings to start with.

     L. A. Watson came to Sitka May 1, 1956 and spent several days here. While he was in Sitka the group organized into a Baptist Mission under the sponsorship of the First Baptist Church of Juneau.  Ray Huff was elected moderator pro tem; Mrs. Clara Burnham, clerk; Miss. Clara Phillips, treasurer.  The mission voted to send 25% of all undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program (Cooperative Program or CP is a unique and very effective way for churches to fund mission outreach work around the world).

     Mr. Leroy Springfield, a summer worker from Louisiana, arrived on June 11, 1956 to help organize the work.  He organized and established morning and evening worship, Sunday school and intermediate Training Union.  While he was here on August 5, the Mission was officially constituted into the First Baptist Church of Sitka, Alaska.  There were 25 charter members. After Leroy left lay members conducted the services.

 

     January 1957 the WMU was organized with Mrs. Jim Wolverton serving as president.  The same month the Home Mission Board (now known as the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention) gave as a gift three lots for the future home site of the church.

     The church called Brother Dale Proctor from Oklahoma as their pastor. He arrived May 19, 1957.