History of First Baptist Church of Gravois Mills
There have been several churches that have bore the name "Gravois". "Upper Gravois" reported to the Lamine Association during the years. On November 22, 1953, the church was organized. On December 13, 1953, the first pastor, Rev. A.L. Enloe was voted in as the Moderator, and a building committee was selected. They went right to work, and another business meeting was selected. They went right to work, and another business meeting was held on December27th, where it was decided to build a block building 28' x 40', with a slanted floor. Seventeen people were added to the church the first year with seven by baptism.
On May 4, 1983, Jim Bower became Pastor. He had worked hard on our church building, and the attendance grew. Later he was ordained to the ministry. In April of 1984, the church continued to work on the church basement and purchased a church bus. In October of 1987, Brother Ray Ware was voted as Pastor by the church. He resigned in March of 1988, with Chester Hedrick stepping in as Interim Pastor in April of that same year. On January 8, 1989, Brother Vernon Arthur accepted the call from our church as Pastor. On October 29, 1989, the church held a dedication service for the church baptistry and the painting behind the baptistry.
September 1, 1996, was a big day for the church. After many years of hard work and prayer, the church held its first services in the new sanctuary. It was indeed a wonderful day. In April of 1997, Brother Ted Haynes stepped in as Interim Pastor. The church held an ordination service for Brother Haynes on Sunday, January 11, 1998. Rev. Ron Melton and church members from the surrounding churches attended the services. In May of 1998, the church's name changed to "First Baptist Church of Gravois Mills, Missouri."
In November of 2015, Pastor Everett Rayl stepped in as Interim Pastor. A few months later, the church voted Pastor Everett Rayl as Minister of First Baptist Church of Gravois Mills, Missouri. Pastor Rayl still resides as Pastor of FBC Gravois Mills today.