A Century of Building a Legacy of Faith
For 100 years and counting, Collinsville First Baptist Church has been shining the light of Jesus in Collinsville and the surrounding region. From humble beginnings to a thriving multigenerational ministry, our story is one of God’s faithfulness and a people committed to building what lasts.
Construction has always been in our DNA—brick by brick, block by block, generation by generation. But the greatest thing we’ve ever built is not a building at all. It’s a legacy of faith: families strengthened, disciples formed, ministries launched, and the gospel proclaimed.
As you explore our history timeline, you’ll see how God has used ordinary men and women, decade after decade, to build a church devoted to His Word, His mission, and His glory. With each entry on the timeline, think about how they stepped out in faith, following God to do what it took to advance the kingdom of Christ.
Our past is a testimony. Our future is a calling. And the same God who carried us this far is leading us forward still.
The CFBC Story
Building a Legacy of Faith for Christ
1926
Birth of CFBC
Founded with 21 charter members; initially worshipped once a month in the Collinsville Methodist Church building
1928
Worship Center #1 completed
A one-room facility was completed on the east side of Hwy 19 at the cost $1,600, built from concrete blocks hand-made on-site.
1949
First expansion
The original one-room structure was expanded to a five-room building, adding four classrooms to the Worship Center. A few years later, an acre of land on the west side of Hwy 19 was purchased, and a parsonage was built.
1955
Relocation and Worship Center #2
CFBC traded its original east-side property for land next to the parsonage on west side of Hwy 19 and built a larger Worship Center with a two-story education space on the 20-acre tract the church now sits. Over the next 30 years, God continued to grow the church, the facilities continue to expand.
1987
Construction of Worship Center #3
A 450-seat Worship Center was constructed with an unfinished balcony. The previous Worship Center became the fellowship hall.
1993
Built a multi-purpose building
We constructed a two-story, ~10,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose building, featuring classrooms, a commercial kitchen, and a gym/fellowship hall.
1997
Called our second full-time minister
In addition to our full-time Lead Pastor, our church had grown to need a second full-time minister, an Associate Pastor, Minister of Youth, to assist in the shepherding of our congregation.
2000
Called our third full-time minister
Our third full-time minister, a Minister of Music, was called to lead amongst our congregation.
2001
A dedicated children’s building and expansion
Our church has always been passionate about Next Gen ministry. A two-story, ~11,000 sq. ft. dedicated children’s building was built, and the Worship Center was expanded.
2007
Called our fourth full-time minister
Our church staff grew to include a Pastor of Education.
2014
Worship Center remodeled and student space built
The Worship Center was remodeled, expanded, and reoriented to face the opposite direction. With that heart for Next Gen, a dedicated student ministry building, called “The Outback,” was also built.
2016
EF-2 tornado strikes
On February 2, a devastating tornado severely damaged both Collinsville and the CFBC campus. The entire campus was a complete loss.
2017
A season of displacement
The church met off-campus for two years while our new building was being constructed. During that season, Pine Forest Baptist Church and Faith Baptist Church graciously opened their facilities to us, and small groups and age-graded ministries gathered throughout the community wherever space could be found. In God’s incredible kindness, our church family grew by more than 100 people during that time—a testimony to His faithfulness even in displacement.
2018
Worship Center #4 opens
From the rubble of the tornado, CFBC opened its current Worship Center and ministry facility on Palm Sunday. God is so good!
2021
Called our fifth full-time minister
The growth of our children’s ministry led us to call a full-time Preschool and Children’s Ministries Director.
2025
Discovered fresh vision
God stirred a fresh vision within our church family—calling us to refocus our mission, values, measures, vision, and strategy for the years ahead. This renewed clarity is guiding us with purpose and unity as we pursue Christ together and advance His work through 2030 and beyond.
2026
100 Years of Ministry
CFBC celebrates a century of shining the light of Jesus in Collinsville and beyond! We’re running strong into the next hundred years.
THE STORY CONTINUES
