In 1861 a group of slaves from Caroline, Spotsylvania, Louisa and Orange Counties, Virginia assembled camps on the government grounds at 6th and B Streets in Southwest Washington. Aided by white ministers from the Freedmen’s Bureau, the group held meetings and prayed. A council of white and colored ministers was called to recognize this body of Christians as a church. As the first organized Baptist church in Southwest, we were named the “First Baptist Church of Southwest Washington” in 1863. Throughout the years, the church has grown tremendously in membership and ministries. There have been thirteen pastors and three church homes in our history.
In 1958, the First Baptist Church of Southwest moved to its present location at 712 Randolph Street Northwest. In addition to our beautiful edifice of worship, we have acquired four properties and extended our ministries to include a Child Development Center, Senior Center, and Community Health and Outreach Services (Church Association for Community Services, Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, and the AIDS Conversation Center), to name a few. We will celebrate our 150th Anniversary throughout 2013.
In 1958, the First Baptist Church of Southwest moved to its present location at 712 Randolph Street Northwest. In addition to our beautiful edifice of worship, we have acquired four properties and extended our ministries to include a Child Development Center, Senior Center, and Community Health and Outreach Services (Church Association for Community Services, Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, and the AIDS Conversation Center), to name a few. We will celebrate our 150th Anniversary throughout 2013.
