First Southern Baptist Church

In 1833, a small group of believers gathered, laying the cornerstone for the First Baptist Church of Chicago. This wasn’t the city’s first Protestant church, but it quickly became a beacon of faith. The First Baptist Church initially shared a simple frame building with the Methodists near Wacker Drive and Franklin Street. A decade later, disagreements, particularly about slavery, led to a split. Thirty-two members left to form the Tabernacle Baptist Church, a congregation that took a strong anti-slavery stance. Interestingly, by the 1850s, the two churches reconciled, sharing ministers and members in worship. The First Baptist Church moved several times in its early years. One former location even became the site of the Olivet Baptist Church at 31st and King Drive. First Baptist’s influence extended far beyond its own walls. It birthed many other ministries and congregations, including Calvary Baptist Church in South Shore. The church played a vital role in the growth of the Chicago YMCA, the Baptist Missionary Training School, the old University of Chicago, and the Baptist Theological Union, now known as the University of Chicago Divinity School. Following World War II, First Baptist played a key role in helping Japanese Americans resettle in the Hyde Park-Kenwood area. They called Reverend Jitsuo Morikawa as Assistant Pastor. He later became the first Japanese American to lead a predominantly Euro-American congregation. Reverend Morikawa also welcomed the first African American members into the First Baptist Church. He went on to serve as Director of Evangelism for the American Baptist Church USA. The church’s demographics shifted significantly during this post-war era, transitioning from a Euro-American and Japanese congregation to a predominantly African American one by the 1970s. By 1979, the first African American pastor, Reverend Landis McAlpin, resigned. After a period with various ministers filling the pulpit, Reverend Jesse M. Brown became the 27th pastor in 1980. First Baptist has a rich history of training new church leaders. Dr. Larry Greenfield, former president of Colgate-Rochester Seminary, was ordained at First Baptist in 1967. Between 1986 and 2015, twelve members were licensed to preach and eleven were ordained. In a significant event, Reverend Carol Jamieson Brown became the first member in recent history to be installed as a pastor of another church, First Baptist Church of Park Forest. The First Baptist Church’s commitment to children and youth is woven throughout its history. From Guild Girls and Scouting to Summer Music Camp and Vacation Bible School, the church nurtured young faith. Their camping program is a highlight, offering transformative experiences for the youth. The annual Youth Mission Trip is another impactful event. The church’s young people have traveled extensively, serving communities both near and far. These trips embody the church’s mission-focused spirit. More recently, the Praise Dance Team has become a vibrant part of the church, ministering through movement. The Angel Tree Ministry, led by Karen Green, brightens Christmas for children of incarcerated parents. Through these various ministries, First Baptist Church continues to live out its faith in service to others.