A body of worshippers holding to the same Christian
beliefs came together in the years following the Civil
War for the purpose of organizing a church. In the year
1867, under the leadership of Reverend Cyrus Carter, this
church was organized. Serving as the first church in
Vienna, Virginia, it was named First Baptist.
The first building was erected on a site on Lawyers
Road, now known as Knights of Columbus Hall located at
215 Lawyers Road, which was deeded September 1, 1867 to
the first Trustees for the consideration of one dollar.
This building, served as a school as well as religious
and civic gatherings, and was constructed from Civil War
barrack material secured through the Freedmen's Bureau.
With the growth of the community, improvements and
changes were made to the building and the first
cornerstone was laid September 7, 1884. In 1915 the
building was again renovated, at this time adding such
things as a central heating plant and electricity.
With expanded activities and increased membership the
need for more space became evident. The purchase of a
three acre site, on which to build a new church on the
corner of Orchard and Nutley Streets, was made at the
cost of three thousand dollars.
In 1957, the Cornerstone laying for the new building
was a historical occasion for members and friends of
First Baptist. After ninety years of worship on Lawyers
Road the church moved into its new edifice at 450 Orchard
Street in December on 1957.
Beginning in 1986 the overwhelming growth in
membership and subsequent increase in church ministries,
facilities that were adequate in 1957 no longer met our
needs in 1995.
An ever expanding vision of the Leaders and its
membership along with their belief that through God all
things are possible, our new edifice was completed in December 1996.
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