First Baptist Church proudly states its purpose is "to make disciples of all nations, beginning in Danville and Boyle County and extending worldwide, walking in fellowship with Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the command of Christ to love God supremely and others as ourselves." First Baptist continuously works to fulfill the stated purpose.

The Baptist Female Seminary began operation in the main building in 1861. At one point the school had as many as 75 boarders but was forced to close due to conflicts caused by the Civil War. At this time, the church fulfilled its ministry through its role as a Civil War hospital.

Lottie Moon, a member and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church, followed God's calling in 1873 and dedicated nearly forty years of her life teaching and ministering in China.

From the 1920's through the 1950's, First Baptist Church took an active role helping to establish six new Baptist Churches: Bryantsville, Gethsemane, Immanuel, Lexington Avenue, Mount Freeman, Southern Heights, and Willow Grove.

First Baptist supports missions both near and far. From Harlan County, Kentucky and the Native American Reservations in the Appalachian Community to far away places like Russia, Haiti, Poland and Brazil, we desire to fulfill the Great Commission.

Our congregation continues to reflect on the past for inspiration while looking to the future for the new challenges God has in store for us.