History of First Baptist Church Hiwasse
Three northwest Arkansas congregations joined forces to launch a Southern Baptist Mission in a town where none had been before. Hiwasse, Arkansas, located between Bentonville and Gravette was the choice of the new work by the primary sponsor Bentonville First Baptist along with Centerton First Church and Mason Valley Church. Bella Vista First Church also assisted in the effort financially.
The sponsoring churches purchased and renovated an old farm house located on five acres of land at the intersection of Highways 72 and 279. More than fifty people from the sponsoring congregations arrived on cleanup day to clear the land and prepare the house for services.
In the process, an interesting discovery was made in one of the rooms of the old farm house. Two books were found dealing with how to start a Baptist Church and also the explanation of Baptist Doctrine.
On February 21, 1988 the first service was held, including an afternoon dedication. Twenty nine people attended Sunday School with thirty people attending Worship. The afternoon dedication was attended by one hundred and fifty. Tom Smith, pastor of Bentonville First, moderated the afternoon service and Joe Atchison, Director of Missions for Benton County Association, led the Dedication litany.
A new mobile chapel was moved onto the site when the house became too small to accommodate the growing church body. On February 18th, 1990, the first worship service was held in the Mobile Chapel.
The permanent church building was started in the summer of 1992.
First Baptist Church Hiwasse moved into the present building in March of 1993.
