First Baptist Church of Austin will celebrate its sesquicentennial Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22.

The church formally organized Jan. 31, 1858, with nine members in the hold “headquarters building” along North Main Street.

The first baptism took place in the Cedar River near the site of the president South Main Street bridge.

Because baptisms in a river were unique, they usually attracted large crowds in the church’s earliest days.

The first pastor was the Rev. Edward Gurney.

Preachers during those times were expected to serve many congregations throughout the area.

Gurney served small congregations at Lansing, Moscow, Oakland, Guilford and Window by preaching Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings,

Because the congregations were small wherever Gurney went, he had to hold another job to support himself.

The Austin congregation constructed a wood frame building in 1864 on land which had been purchased in 1861.

The church was located near the intersection of the current West Oakland Avenue and 1st Street Southwest.

The building was used every other Sunday by Congregationalists.

The wood frame house of worship served the Baptist congregation until 1894, when it was sold to the Presbyterians for $125.

A year later, the Baptists dedicated a much larger, stone building, which the occupied for 60 years or until 1955 when the present church was built.

One thing that remains the same in the rich 150 years of First Baptist Church worship is its church bell: It’s the same one that called people to worship 150 years (1866, to be exact) ago and which continues to sound the call to worship today.

The congregation will celebrate the passing of 150 years and, as the church motto indicates, “Serving Christ yesterday, today and tomorrow” with fun and reflection.

Weekend schedule

A Family Fun Day and picnic is planned June 21.

Details include a free picnic lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday with entertainment from Bubbles the Clown making balloon animals.

Rick Lee will provide Earl’s Homemade Ice Cream treats for all and a dunk tank and moonwalk will be available.

There will be horse and buggy rides for guests.

Dino Kartsonakis will perform in concert, beginning at 7 p.m.

Kaartsonakis has been called “America’s piano showman” and has performed before millions world-wide.

He trained at the Julliard School of Music and conservatories in France and Germany. Among the accolades he has garnered was a Grammy for his involvement on “The Apostle” soundtrack. He was also nominated for another Grammy for his work on the “Chariots of Fire” soundtrack.

He has also collected eight Gospel Music Association “Dove” awards in his career.

Tickets to hear the well-known Christian pianist are $5 and available in advance at the church from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.

Tickets will also be available at the door June 21.

On Sunday, June 22, a special sesquicentennial worship service will begin at 10 a.m.

Two former members, who grew up in the church will be the featured speakers.

The Revs. Roger Camerer and Charles Pausley Jr. will give the messages.

Each has served in the ministry for several years.

Camerer was born and raised in Austin. After graduating Austin High School, then-Austin Junior College and the University of Minnesota Forestry School, Camerer was employed by the Minnesota Department of Conservation.

He then received a master of divinity degree from Bethel Theological Seminary, St. Paul.

Camerer said he accepted Christ as his savior as a child while attending Vacation Bible School classes at the “old” First Baptist Church. The son of Walter and Aline Camerer, he was baptized by the Rev. Hugh Hall.

The other guest speaker, Pausley, was born at Baker, Mont., the son of Charles and Betty Pausley. His father was a pastor for 45 years.

Several special musical numbers are planned using both current and former members.

A free lunch will be served in the church social hall at noon June 22.

Also that day, there will be a special musical concert at 2 p.m., featuring the FBC Homecoming Singers directed by former member Alex Madison.

Former pastor the Rev. Dr. Wallace Alcorn will bring greetings.

Missionaries Coriann Kooy, Jim and Julie Leonard, John and Pat Schroeder, George and Dottie Hatfield, Eric and Alissa Braun and former missionaries Sharon Thomsen Avram and Bob and Liz Schultz will also speak.

The Rev. David M. Johnson is First Baptist’s current pastor — one of 22 whom have served the church.

Cheryl Potter, church historian who has researched church history, compiled statistics and other data of the congregation’s long life.

Additional information is available at the church Web site, www.firsstbaptistaustin.com.

First Baptist Church is located at 1700 West Oakland Ave.