Before you stands the Manila Baptist Church a beacon of faith established by pioneering American missionaries in the early 1900s. This church also known as FBCM or FirstBap has a rich history. It intertwines with the development of Baptist institutions in the Philippines.
Let’s step back in time. Picture Manila in 1928. Dr Raphael Thomas a visionary missionary founded the First Baptist Church of Manila. He also established two schools Doane Evangelistic Institute DEI and Manila Evangelistic Institute MEI.
Initially the church shared facilities with MEI. They rented space from Christian Missions until 1937. Then MEI erected its own building in Ermita. This was on land acquired by ABWE Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. The church paid twenty pesos a month for using the building and its utilities.
In the early 1930s Dr Thomas passed the leadership of the First Baptist Church of Manila to Dr Paul Culley. World War II brought devastation. Japanese forces destroyed the church building. But faith endured. In 1951 a new church building rose on the same site.
The First Baptist Church of Manila played a crucial role in the formation of religious organizations. The Fundamental Baptist churches established by ABWE BBSI and DBBI ministries united. They formed the Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches in the Philippines AFBCP. This association comprised seven regional groups.
In 1951 the Far Eastern Council of Christian Churches FECCC was formed at the First Baptist Church of Manila. Pastor Ormeo served as president. The AFBCP became a founding member of this regional Bible movement.
A significant moment arrived in 1956. The First Baptist Church of Manila called Pastor Antonio Ormeo as its first Filipino pastor. Until 1957 FBCM and BBSI shared the church building in Padre Faura. In 1958 the Seminary moved to Taytay Rizal. ABWE bought the property for the Seminary leaving FBCM as the sole occupant.
In 1961 ABWE sold the Padre Faura property to the First Baptist Church of Manila. The price reflected the original cost of the lot and building. However controversy arose. In 1965 three churches were expelled from the AFBCP over disagreements about Biblical separation.
This expulsion led to the formation of the Association of Baptist Churches in Luzon Visayas and Mindanao ABCLVM. These churches sympathized with FBCM.
In 1972 the Supreme Court ordered the eviction of FBCM from Padre Faura. The vacated building was then given to Manila Baptist Church. Before the eviction a special event took place. Loida Ormeo’s marriage to Pastor Ebenezer Nacita was the last ceremony officiated by FBCM in that chapel.
After the eviction the First Baptist Church of Manila moved to Project 6 Quezon City. A temporary chapel was built. In 1981 a three-story structure was dedicated. Brethren in Singapore helped with its construction. During this time work also began on the four-story church structure.
In 1987 Pastor Antonio Ormeo retired after 32 years of ministry. In 1989 FBCM welcomed Pastor Ebenezer T Nacita as interim senior pastor. He later became the Senior Pastor.
Over the years the First Baptist Church of Manila has supported numerous churches. It has provided pastoral training church planting and missionary support. It has also run bible institutes. The church continues to equip churches.