First United Baptist Church

In 1698, a small group of Baptists gathered in an abandoned building known as the Barbadoes Storehouse. This humble beginning marked the birth of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia. First Baptist Church has witnessed over three centuries of Philadelphia’s history. It has seen the city grow from a colonial outpost to a bustling metropolis. The church’s first permanent home was the Keithian Quaker Meeting House at Second and Market Streets in 1707. The congregation thrived, and by 1731, they built a new brick structure named LaGrange Place. This building served as a spiritual anchor for decades. Fast forward to 1855, the congregation, now much larger, moved to a grand new edifice at Broad and Arch Streets. However, the story doesn’t end there. In 1900, First Baptist Church found its current home at 17th and Sansom, a stunning blend of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. The church’s history is intertwined with significant figures. Morgan Edwards, a key figure in the establishment of Brown University, served as pastor in 1761. William Staughton, a future president of George Washington University, led the congregation in 1806. Even the “father of American surgery,” Dr. William Williams Keen, was a lifelong deacon at First Baptist Church. The church’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. In 2014, due to financial constraints, the building was sold to Liberti Church. However, the First Baptist Church congregation continues to worship there under a lease agreement, a testament to their enduring faith. A fascinating chapter unfolded in 2016. During construction at the site of the old LaGrange Place, hundreds of burials were discovered. These were remains from the church’s former burial ground, a poignant reminder of the lives that shaped the church’s history. The remains were carefully reinterred, ensuring their respectful rest. Today, First Baptist Church stands as a symbol of resilience and faith, a living testament to the enduring power of community and belief in the heart of Philadelphia.