Organized October 26, 1855, with six members, viz., Edson and Elizabeth Merrill, Ozias P. and Almedia Reeves, John L. and Elmira Baldwin.

     The first meetings were held in an unfinished house belonging to John L. Reeves. July 1, 1859, the church decided to incorporate according to the Iowa State laws, and on the 12th of July, 1859, the articles of incorporation were filed with the County Recorder, J. Bailey, by Ozias P. Reeves, then Church Clerk. The Pastor at that time was J. Y. Aitchison, and the congregation, consisting of about thirty-one members, used the old brown school house, which stood on the site of the present public school building, as a place of worship. In 1861, in connection with two other denominations, Hubert Hall, located on the west side of Franklin street, between Main and Fayette streets, was rented, remaining until 1863, when they returned to the school house, where they worshiped but for a short time, when -- the town having sold the building -- they were again compelled to move. This time, in consideration of a yearly rental of $200.00, the exclusive use of Thorp's Hall, located on the northeast corner of Main and Franklin streets, was secured. August 5, 1871, the Church, in special session, resolved to commence the erection of a house of worship. John Stewart, A. L. Baldwin and N. L. Whitney were appointed a Building Committee. At the next regular covenant meeting, the resolution was concurred in by the Church as a body, and two more , Edson Merrill and William McIntosh, added to the Building Committee.  A site, costing $300.oo, was selected on the northeast corner of Butler and Madison streets. The building, completed in May, 1872, was dedicated to the service of God the first Sabbath in June, same year, by Rev. N. F. Ravlin.

   The membership at present (1878) is about 74. The Pastor in charge, who came in 1876, is Rev. Lucius M. Whiting.

   Women's Mission Circle, of the First Baptist Church, organized February 10, 1875, with eleven members. The following were the first body of officers, elected for the next ensuing year: Mrs. Sarah F. Stewart, President; Mrs. W. H. Irvine, Vice President; Miss Mattie McIntosh, Secretary; Miss Nettie Faller, Treasurer; Mrs. George Webber, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Quackenbush, Solicitors. Officers for 1878: Mrs. Sarah F. Stewart, President; Mrs. A. T. Whiting, Vice President; Mrs. Julia E. Brownell, Secretary and Treasurer; Miss Laura Pacer, Miss Leathermar.

   Meetings are held the second Sabbath of each month in the First Baptist Church; monthly tea sociables are given by invitations at the houses of members.

   This society is auxiliary to the Women's Mission Association of the West, whose object is the procurement of money for the support of lady foreign missionaries. The amount of funds raised the first year of organization was $20.10, and for 1878, 24.50. This society is included in the district of Dubuque, of which Mrs. Sarah F. Stewart is the Secretary and resident Correspondent. 

   Ladies' Aid Society,  of the Manchester First Baptist Church, organized as a sewing circle June 3, 1859, with fifty-one members and the following officers: Mrs. Reeves, President; Mrs. Grow, Vice President; Mrs. Doggett, Secretary and Treasurer; Miss E. A. White, Mrs. H. Acres, Mrs. Hamlin, Managers; Mrs. Baldwin, Mrs. Merrill, Mrs. Hamlin, Visiting Committee.

   Officers for 1878: Mrs. J. McIntosh, President; Mrs. A. T. whiting, Vice President; Mrs. S. F. Stewart, Secretary and Treasurer; Mrs. C. H. Harris, Mrs. George Webber, Mrs. A. Fuller, Mrs. J. Chaple, Managers and Visiting Committee.

   Meetings are held at the houses of members, by invitation, once in two weeks.