Right here in Chicago, we find the historic First General Baptist Church. The First General Baptist Church has roots stretching back to 1833. It holds a special place in Chicago’s religious history.
Organized by fifteen believers, the First General Baptist Church initially met in a simple two-story frame building. This building belonged to the Methodists. It stood at Wacker Drive and Franklin Street. This marked the beginning of the oldest Baptist Church in Chicago.
First General Baptist Church was not Chicago’s first Protestant Church. The Presbyterians and Methodists had already established their presence. Yet, its establishment was a significant moment.
About ten years later, thirty-two members departed. They established Tabernacle Baptist Church. Tabernacle Baptist Church took a firm stance against slavery in 1844. They declared slavery a great sin. They refused communion or pulpit access to slavery advocates.
By the 1850s, reconciliation blossomed. First General Baptist Church and Tabernacle welcomed each other’s members and ministers in worship. The First General Baptist Church moved several times during its first forty years. One location stood at what is now the corner of 31st and King Drive. Today, Olivet Baptist Church calls that corner home.
First General Baptist Church became a mother church. It fostered ministries throughout Chicago. Many churches arose from its membership and efforts. Calvary Baptist Church in South Shore owes its existence to First General Baptist Church.
The church played a role in the rise of the Chicago YMCA movement. It also contributed to the Baptist Missionary Training School and the old University of Chicago. The Baptist Theological Union is now the University of Chicago Divinity School. These institutions were fruits of First General Baptist Church’s labor.
After World War II, First General Baptist Church played a role in resettling Japanese Americans. This resettlement occurred in the Hyde Park-Kenwood area. Rev. Jitsuo Morikawa became Assistant Pastor. He later became the first Japanese American pastor of a Euro-American congregation. Rev. Morikawa welcomed First General Baptist Church’s first African-American members. In 1955, he became Director of Evangelism of the American Baptist Church USA.
The winds of change continued. The church transitioned from predominately Euro-American and Japanese. By the 1970s, it was predominately African-American. By 1979, Rev. Landis McAlpin resigned. He was First General Baptist Church’s first African American pastor. Various ministers filled the pulpit including Rev. Randall Pittman.
On December 10, 1980, Rev. Jesse M. Brown received a call to become the 27th pastor. He accepted and began immediately. The First General Baptist Church has been a training ground for church leaders. Rev. Dr. Larry Greenfield was ordained at First General Baptist Church in 1967. He became president of Colgate-Rochester Seminary and Executive Minister.
From 1986-2015, many members were licensed to preach. Several members were ordained during this period as well. In 2005, Rev. Carol Jamieson Brown became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Park Forest, Illinois. She has served longer than anyone in the church’s history. In 2016, Allison Lundblad became Pastor of the Arlington Heights Christian Church. Rev. Annette Thornberg became Pastor of the Community Baptist Church in Warrenville in 2017.
First General Baptist Church has a long history. It is dedicated to children and youth ministries. Programs have included Guild Girls, Scouting, and Summer Music Camp. Vacation Bible School, the Children’s Choir, and Youth Bible Studies are also important. Camping remains successful.
Annual Youth Mission Trips have taken young people to various locations. These trips include Charleston, West Virginia and Fairbanks, Alaska. The youth have also visited Estes Park, Colorado and Santiago, Cuba.
One of the newest ministries is the Praise Dance Team. The Angel Tree Ministry team ministers to children of incarcerated parents. The Dawson Home Ministry cares for seniors and the chronically ill.
In 2004, the church upgraded its physical plant. A new heating and air conditioning system was installed. In 2008, First General Baptist Church celebrated its 175th anniversary. In 2010, First General Baptist Church renovated the exterior of the building. In June 2011, the sanctuary was shut down for remodeling. The church shifted its ministry online during the pandemic.
Today, worship services can be viewed on YouTube each Sunday. The First General Baptist Church continues its journey of faith. It lives out its theme “Still On this journey of Life with Jesus”.