CHURCH HISTORY |
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Following the Civil War, a body of worshippers came together to organize a church. With the help of a Vienna landowner, in 1867 they acquired a small plot of land for the sum of $1.
The first building was erected at 315 Lawyers Road in Vienna using lumber the members acquired from Civil War barracks that was being torn down. This building served not only as a place of worship but as an educational community center as well. Rev. Cyrus Carter served as the first pastor.
To accommodate increased membership and expanded activities, a three-acre site on the corner of Orchard and Nutley streets was purchased for $3,000. In 1957, after 90 years of worshipping on Lawyers Road, the cornerstone was laid for a new building and the First Baptist congregation moved to the new building at 450 Orchard Street N.W. in Vienna.
In December 1986, the Rev. Dr. Kenny Smith was called to pastor the First Baptist congregation and five years later, the church body began plans for a new structure to accommodate its tremendous growth. While the new church building was under construction, worship services temporarily were moved to the Louise Archer School.
On April 14, 1996, the congregation marched triumphantly into the newly expanded edifice on Orchard Street where services are currently held. The new structure was designed to accommodate First Baptist's focus on Christian worship, misionary activities and evangelism, community service, and Christian education. During Rev. Smith's term as pastor, First Baptist has continued to be a paradigm for how the church can positively influence both the local and international community. God has provided a strong foundation upon which we are called to build and expand His kingdom on earth. In the coming years, as First Baptist Church moves from good to great, we know that we as a congregation of believers are still under construction.