“Kingdom community” is not just a buzzword here. Forest Park Baptist Church seeks to embody that ideal. This church has a compelling story to tell.
Let’s explore the history of Forest Park Baptist Church in Washington D.C. Its roots run deep into the early 1800s. Baptists first gathered in July 1801. They met at the U.S. Treasury Building. Washington D.C. was then a small village. Only a few thousand people lived here.
In March 1802, six laypeople and four ministers established the church. They met in a private home. This marked the formal beginning of First Baptist Church. Since then, the church has been a constant presence. It has worshiped and served in the nation’s capital.
First Baptist Church has used five buildings on four sites. One notable location was what is now Ford’s Theater. President Lincoln was assassinated there. The congregation moved to its current site in 1890. It is located at 16th and O Streets, NW. The first service in the present sanctuary was on Christmas Day 1955.
Luther Rice was an influential member in the early 1800s. He used First Baptist as his home base. From here he organized mission support among Baptists. Obadiah Brown was the church’s first pastor. With his support, Rice led Baptists in founding Columbian College. It is now George Washington University.
Since 1845, First Baptist has connected major national Baptist bodies. It partners with several groups. These include the Alliance of Baptists and the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. They also work with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The Baptist World Alliance and the District of Columbia Baptist Convention are also partners.
Let’s walk through a quick timeline. In 1801, a group of six Baptists met. Rev. Lewis Richards led a preaching service. In 1802, First Baptist Church was founded. It met in a private home. Later, a meeting house was built. It stood at the corner of 19th and I Streets, NW.
Rev. Obadiah Bruen Brown became the first full-time pastor in 1807. He served until his retirement in 1850. In 1821, Brown built a large house. It was located at 814 E Street, NW. He used it as his family home and a boarding house.
A group of African-American members began meeting separately in 1830. They rented a school room. They joined the larger congregation for worship on Communion Sundays. In 1834, a new church building was constructed. It was at 10th and E Streets NW. Many African-American members stayed at the 19th and I Street location.
Thirty-two African-American members asked to separate from First Baptist in 1838. Members voted to allow the separation. However, First Baptist kept ownership of the 19th Street property. In 1839, Nineteenth Street Church became the First Colored Baptist Church. It was the first Black Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
First Baptist Church moved to a new building in 1859. It was on 13th Street, between G and H Streets. The Government used it as a temporary hospital for a year. In 1890, First Baptist Church moved to 16th and O Streets NW. This location was one mile north of the White House. The building was torn down in 1953. Services were held at the Jewish Community Center during construction.
In 1955, First Baptist Church occupied its present sanctuary. This stands on the site of the former building. The first services were held on Christmas Day 1955. Today Forest Park Baptist Church continues its mission. It strives to show the world what the future kingdom will look like.