About Us

We are a multi-generational church with a blended worship service on Sunday mornings. We believe that our worship is best expressed through our love for each other and our community.  We seek out real ways to love and serve our community. We are doing this in many ways including the establishment of an Overnight Warming Location in our facility throughout the Winter. We strive to love and serve our community in as many ways as we can!

meet the staff

Allison bell
Youth director

Allison and her family moved to Illinois from West Virginia two years ago because her husband Steven (16 years) got a job as a welder at the Wood River Refinery. Allison and Steven have three children, Angeleah - 15, Jaylen - 14, and Preston - 11. 

Allison graduated with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and taught in public schools for four years. She now homeschools her children which she greatly enjoys! She takes "great joy and pride in preparing them for the future."

More about Allison:
Allison's favorite trip was their family trip to Hawaii in January 2024. She fondly remembers SNUBA diving (yes it's a thing), seeing whales and their calves, and many other once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

The book that was most impactful on her life (apart from the Bible) is the Throne of Glass series.

Allison is happiest when life is simple. She enjoys homeschooling, tending her garden, and preparing food from scratch. 

As our Youth Director, Allison oversees all of the classes and events for youth from 6 grade through high school. She and her team "work hard to share God's story and love with all of the youth that come to our church, whether that be regular attenders or for just for one service."

Dale File
secretary/treasurer

Dale has been a member of First Baptist since 2001. She and her husband David have been married for 21 years and between them they have three adult children.

Dale was born in Memphis, Tennessee but moved to STL when she was two. She lived in St. Louis City for a while but moved to the Spanish Lake and graduated from Hazelwood in 1966. She obtained a B.S. in Elementary Education and did coursework in Computer Science which she continues to use to this day.

More about Dale:
Dale is happiest when she is on a beach, river, when she is boating, or with nature. Her favorite trip was to Europe in 1984 where she traveled from Israel to Athens, Germany, Paris, and Amsterdam.

The most impactful books on Dale's life (besides the Bible) are books "which were insightful about other cultures and their worldviews that were different than mine."  Examples include War and Peace, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, The Arab Nations.

Dale is currently reading Paul by N.T. Wright.

Dale describes her role at First Baptist as "busy and helpful," a place where she can "use my inherent skills for the good of my church."

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First Baptist Church of Edwardsville, 534 St. Louis Street, Edwardsville, IL  62025-1502
Phone:  (618) 656-1008