Reverend Woodbridge, our first pastor, served for several years.  Our next great leader was Reverend Daniel Adams, who served for sixteen years.  The church continued to prosper for the next several years under the leaderships of Reverend Simon Weeks, and Reverend Jessie Graves.  Reverend Graves used his carpentry skills to make the first pews that were used in the church.  Our next great leaders in order were: Reverend R. D. Arline, Reverend E. A. Carter, Reverend M. J. Morris, Reverend W. M. Long, Reverend W. M. Hobbs, Reverend D.B. Bullock, Reverend T. M. Cranford, Reverend Berry Mathis, Reverend L. R. Robinson, and Reverend O. C. Green. 
            In 1913 the corner stone was laid and it included the following names: S. Curgil, J. S. Curgil, H. Williams, J. S. Dean, G. Curgil, W. Barber, Buddy Cromer, D. A. Forehand, D. Gilmore, and J. S. Dean.    

            In 1934, Reverend W. B. Mathis became pastor and served until 1945.  The church did not have a choir, but Mercedes Douglass served as pianist.  Jim Deane, Calvin Forehand, Dave Gilmore, Jimmy Haugabook, W. D. Bass, Archie Wynn, Bud Kaigler, and Aaron Adams served as Deacons.  Deacon Jessie Person moved his membership to First Salem.      

            The first Mission Day was held during this era.  Revival services were held ending on Friday night with a mission program.  Missionaries from all over the surrounding communities were invited.  On this special day, donations exceeded $700.  A portion of this money was given to the pastor.

            In 1945, a memorial statute was donated by the Adams family in memory of James Adams. It still stands on the grounds of First Salem Baptist Church.

           In the early 1950’s, under the leadership of Reverend D.B. Bullock, new pews were    purchased for $500.  These pews are still in use today.

           In 1953, under the leadership of Reverend M. C. Fields, the annex was added to the church and an outdoor baptismal pool was built by Dude McClendon.

          After the guidance of Reverend M. C. Fields, Reverend L. L. Jones became our leader until 1973.  Reverend W. D. Hatcher served from 1973 until his untimely death in 1987.  Under his leadership, the church was carpeted and the pulpit furniture was covered by Deacon Jeffery Rogers.  Also, the Annie C. Forbes Scholarship Fund was established.

          Reverend Melvin McCluster served as pastor from 1987-1995.  During his reign our first bulletin, The Salem Starlight, was published.  Our first Women Day Program was celebrated on the third Sunday in October 1991.  Sister Paula G. Williams of Jasper, Florida was the guest speaker.  Worship services for the youth started on the first Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.  This service was later changed to regular first Sunday morning service.  In 1992, the first Men Day Program started.  In 1993, major renovations were done to the church, which included the  additions of two classrooms, three restrooms, and a pastor’s study.  The kitchen and choir  areas were enlarged.  A handicap ramp and siding were installed.  Curtains for the kitchen were donated by Martha Felton.  Bible study, prayer service, and Vacation Bible School started.  Telephones were installed.  In 1994, the Senior Missionary Society was re-organized by Sister Bertha Davis who served as President.  The Junior Missionary Society was organized and Sister Gail Spikes served as Advisor. In 1995, deep fryers were purchased for the purpose of preparing that delicious fried chicken.  Doctor Barbara Ferguson donated $1000 to purchase Bibles in memory of her father, Charles W. Jones and grandfather, Sam Jones. On November 18, 1995, Deacon Jeffery Rogers was named Chairman of the Deacon Board and Deacon Darrell Forbes was named Co-Chairman.

         In January 1996, we were without a shepherd and we began our search for a new leader.  We didn’t lose our site of our Lord and Savior for we prayed diligently that He would send us a shepherd.  In July 1996, the Lord sent us Reverend Wayne S. Evans as our new pastor.  Unfortunately, he served for only two months.  We were again without a pastor.   During the absence of a minister, the Deacons and the church called Reverend Willie B. Mathis to serve as interim pastor until the Lord sent another shepherd to lead His flock. We continued in prayer and the Word of God continued to go forth.  The Lord continued to shower His blessings upon us as we were able to purchase a new sound system, fluorescent lights for the sanctuary, a computer and software, printer, secretary chair, a new stove, and a telephone for the pastor’s study.

       In March 1997, Reverend Paul A. McFarland was called to lead our family.  Installation services were held in May 1997.  New tables, bookshelves, and office furniture for the pastor’s study were purchased.  Deacon Jeffery Rogers made a beautiful tithing box.  The Senior Missionary Society purchased two chairs for the devotional area. Deacon Rogers covered the chairs in deep red velvet cloth.  In August 1997, we purchased and installed the beautiful stained glass windows.  On the first Sunday in September, the windows were dedicated during the regular worship service.  Some of the windows were donated by church family members.  Also, in September of 1997, we opened our doors every Sunday for worship.  The first and third Sundays were designated for the adults to be in charge and the second and fourth Sundays were set aside for the youth ushers to serve.  Because of the additional services, a youth choir was formed, with Sister Linda Merrell serving as musician and Sister Shari Rogers, Sister Sara Walker and Sister Sharon English serving as advisers.  Sister Bertha Davis named the youth choir, “Buds of Promise” and the mass choir, “Voices of Praise.” Also, in 1997, Ben McDonald and James Harrison were elected to be    Deacon trainees. Deacon Darrel Forbes was elected as Chairman of the Deacon Board on December 27, 1997 and Willie James McDonald was elected as Co-Chairman.       

        In March 1, 1998, James Harrison and Ben McDonald were ordained as Deacons.  The Senior Usher Board was re-organized with Sister Dorothy Felton serving as President.  The Baptist Youth United Team (BYUT) was organized with Deacon Charles Collier as Advisor.  A hot water heater was purchased and a cement walkway was poured.  Evangelist Arthur Mae Paster was licensed as a Baptist Evangelist.

        In May 1999, the first annual May Day Festival was sponsored by the BYUT under the advisory of Brother James Bulger and Brother Napoleon Hill, Jr.  Outside benches were purchased by the Deacon Board.  A Keyboard and case were purchased on August 16, 1999.

          In October 2000, Napoleon Hill, Jr. was ordained as a Deacon.  Also in 2000, a Dance Ministry was established under the guidance of Sister Sebrena Lester and Sister Brenda McKenzie.  On July 17, 2000, a storage and utility building were purchased. A deep fryer was also purchased on August 11, 2000. 

         In April 25, 2001, two fifteen-passenger church vans were purchased.  In addition, an inside baptismal pool was installed by Deacon Jeffery Rogers.  Also in 2001, 2.5 acres of land were purchased on the east side of the church for the purpose of building a new sanctuary.

         In 2002, Deacon Napoleon Hill, Jr. was appointed Chairman of the Deacon Board.  A Trustee Board was established consisting of seven members: Deacon Jeffery Rogers, Chairman, Brother Marcale Sanders, Co-Chairman, Deacon Napoleon Hill, Jr., Treasurer, Sister Wyonnie Tooke, Finance Secretary, Sister Sennie Hubbard, Secretary, Sister Wanda Gaines, and Sister Pharis Deane.

        On April 23, 2003, two 5-ton gas/electric heating and cooling units were purchased and on May 23, 2003 an ice machine was purchased.  On June 27, 2003, First Salem Baptist Church became incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia.                                                                                                  

        On September 27, 2003, members voted to withdraw its membership from the Southwest Georgia Missionary Baptist Association effective January 1, 2004.  Also in April, the Missionary Ministry traveled to Panama City Beach, Florida for their first annual retreat. 

         In 2004, the Fund Raising Committee started a major fund raising campaign for the new sanctuary beginning with a dinner and gospel singing extravaganza and a donut sale.  In addition, our first cookbook, “Treasures from Heaven,” was published.  Our members submitted some of their favorite recipes making it possible for us to create this great cookbook.  This project was coordinated by the Cookbook Panel, Wyonnie Tooke, Chairperson, Brenda McKenzie and Christine McDonald.  All of these fundraisers were great successes.  On February 12th of the same year, the Missionary Ministry had the first annual Women in Red Banquet held at the Preston Williams Center. 

         Between the years 2000 and 2007, some of our Deacons and members have been called to preach the gospel.  They are Ministers James Harrison, Jerry Sanders, Jeffery Rogers,  Evangelists Nancy Phillips and Arthur Mae Paster.

         On April 7, 2007, ground breaking ceremonies were held on the east side of the church for the construction of a the sanctuary.  In the Summer of 2007, Montezuma City Hall donated the Henry Mack Fobbs Park in Philliptown to First Salem Baptist Church.  It will be used as an out reach center for the community. 

         We celebrated our annual Men and Women Day on October 21, 2007, the theme for this occasion was, “Walking By Faith,” and the speaker was Sister Keeshia Carter. The Voices of Praises and the Buds of Promise were awarded the “People of the Year Award,“ at this event.

         On January 26, 2008, the Missionary Ministry sponsored the fourth annual Women In Red Program, given at the Preston Williams Center. The theme for the occasion was, “Training For A Life With Jesus.”

        On February 2, 2008, the first annual Shinning Star Pageant was sponsored by the  Deaconess Ministry and God’s Chosen Girls. The pageant is for ages 4-18. Ty’Asijah Canady and Christian Murphy were crowned as the shinning stars.

       This synopsis of First Salem is not complete, because down through the years, history is missed placed, destroyed, or not recorded.  To the best of our knowledge, this history is as accurate as possible.

         Dedication service for the new sanctuary was held on June 1, 2008.