Below, you will find a brief overview of the rich history of First Baptist Church of Tallahassee (FBCTLH). Over the past 175 years, FBCTLH has been committed to helping people find and follow Jesus. The church’s Heritage Center Team has worked tirelessly for the past several years compiling documents, photographs, and historical details that contribute to a more comprehensive history including all the key milestones in the church’s history. These can be seen in the digital timeline below, and eventually, will be part of the FBCTLH Heritage Center, which will officially open to church members and the public sometime in late 2024.
We are thankful for the faithfulness God has shown to work in and through our church and as we celebrate the past we look forward with great anticipation to what God will continue to do!
We invite you to read below and explore the digital timeline to get to know more about the history of First Baptist Church of Tallahassee!
On November 10, 1849, a Baptist Church, with Rev. J.T. Zealy serving as the first pastor, was formed in Tallahassee. The congregation joined the Florida Baptist Association on October 14, 1850. By 1854, the church had grown from 9 members to 265 members.
Land was purchased in May 1856, on the south side of College Avenue for the purpose of religious worship. This new frame church, dedicated July 4, 1858, was used during the Civil War by both armies as a hospital and barracks. Due to the hardships of the War, the building fell into disrepair. In September 1894, the church was repaired and renamed The First Baptist Church of Tallahassee. On January 21, 1900, a remodeled church with its new Byzantine inverted onion-top tower and spire was opened.
Another building was constructed at a cost of $40,000 and dedicated in November 1915. In 1950, due to membership growth, the church opened the Duval wing. The Adams wing and a newly built sanctuary were dedicated on September 29, 1957, by pastor Dr. Harold G. Sanders, Dr. Doak S. Campbell and Governor Leroy Collins.
A stained-glass window and wooden prayer rail from the 1858 church were installed in the vestibule and one of the 7 original stained-glass windows from the 1915 church was relocated to the new chapel. Secretary of State, Robert A. Gray presented the Degan Carillon Chimes as a memorial to his wife in 1957.
Over the years, First Baptist sponsored new community Baptist churches: Lakeview Baptist, 1937; University Heights, 1947; Thomasville Road, 1948; Crawfordville Road, 1957 (now Crossway); Haywood Cates, 1961; Morningside Baptist Church, 1983. All churches are now independent.
In 1960, the church purchased the Stewart Property bordering on Adams and Park which consisted of the Old Columns building and the Union Bank Building which were later donated to the State of Florida for preservation.
The church began a ministry to the deaf in 1958 and to Internationals in 1961. In 1965, First Baptist collected enough S & H Green stamps to purchase an airplane and other essentials for a missionary in Brazil. During the 1960’s many churches held segregated services. First Baptist opened its doors to all people in the late 1960’s.
To further serve downtown Tallahassee, the church dedicated the E.C. Allen Christian Life Center in November 1974, to meet the recreational and spiritual needs of the community and the congregation. By 2011, the Chason Building, containing administrative offices, conference rooms, and the Welcome Center, which connected all church buildings was completed.
Since 1849 First Baptist Church remains committed to ministering in the heart of downtown, throughout Tallahassee, and around the world. The church’s influence has had both a local and a global focus. Church members have served in places like Ethiopia; South Africa; Central America; India, Russia; South America; South Asia; Haiti; and in various areas across the US. Locally, First Baptist participates in disaster relief support, caring for the homeless and needy, and partnering with other community ministries. The First Baptist Church of Tallahassee exists to help people find and follow Jesus both here and abroad.
Learn about the Heritage Center
1849: The Baptist Church of Tallahassee was organized by James E. Broome, Theodore W. Brevard, Sarah Archer, Hugh Archer, Robert B. Hilton, Mrs. E. Swicord, Mrs. C.E. Brevard, Mrs. M.S. Corley, and Miss Catharine Smith on November 10. James E. Broome and Theodore W. Brevard were chosen as deacons. Rev. J.T. Zealy was pastor until 1852.
1854: Rev. W.W. Childers was pastor with membership of 265 people (258 Blacks and seven Whites).
1856: A lot on the south side of College Avenue, immediately west of the present Masonic Building, was purchased on May 31 for $500 on condition that it be used solely for the erection of an edifice for the purpose of religious worship.
1858: A frame church was erected and dedicated on July 4. It is possible that Rev. J.C. Long was the pastor (records are unclear).
1860: Rev. J.C. Long is believed to have been an Interim or Itinerant Pastor until the church was taken over as a hospital by the military in 1862. Many local women served as nurses and made medical supplies for use with the sick and injured.
1861: Civil war was underway; Florida seceded from the Union in January and joined the Confederacy on February 17. The church building was used by both armies as a hospital and barracks and needed much repair when the members were able to regain it in 1878.
Please see the next decade.
1879: F. B. Moodie and Walter Gwynn invited the Florida Baptist Convention to meet in Tallahassee at the church in May.
1880-1886: Rev. A.C. McCants was pastor with a membership of 15.
1885: Tallahassee Map shows Tallahassee Baptist Church (#9) on Clinton St., now College Ave., adjacent to the Masonic Lodge (#5).
1892: The church had a new pastor, Rev. S.M. Provence, who supplied the pulpit every second and fourth Sunday in each month. About a year later the State Mission Board increased his yearly salary to $400.
1894: The name “Tallahassee Baptist Church” was changed to “The First Baptist Church of Tallahassee” and on February 24, 1895, the Lord’s supper was celebrated for the first time.
1895: The Lord’s Supper was first observed at First Baptist Church.
1898: The church assumed financial responsibility for its finances with no assistance from the Baptist State Mission Board.
1899: The church building was repaired, remodeled, and refurnished at a cost of $1,812.
1900: A memorial window was dedicated to Elder W. W. Childers and is now on display in the vestibule of our church.
1900: The remodeled church, with its new Byzantine “inverted onion top” tower and spire, was reopened on January 21.
1902: Membership steadily increased through the support, faith, and perseverance of the members. Seventy-three members were recorded in July 1902. Rev. T. J. Betts served six months as Interim Pastor after the resignation of Rev. S. M. Provence.
1902-06: More than forty members were added to the church during the ministry of Dr. Frank W. Cramer of Apalachicola.
1903: The Baptist Young People’s Union (BYPU) was organized with nine members by Dr. Cramer. The name was later changed to Training Union.
1904: The WMU was initiated at FBC under the leadership of Mrs. W. H. Rugeley, serving as a member and leader for 54 years.
1904: Governor William S. Jennings addressed the congregation of First Baptist Church.
1905: The church was free of debt.
1910: Dr. Cramer resigned, and Rev. J.B. Pruitt succeeded him.
1911: The church purchased the lots where the present church is located and constructed a comfortable home for the pastor.
1911: Dr. Pruitt resigned because of his wife’s illness and was succeeded by Dr. J. Dean Adcock who served as pastor from 1911 to 1919.
1915: The new church located at the corner of College Avenue and Adams Street was dedicated on November 10. The construction cost of the building was $40,000.
1916: Adams Street and College Avenue streets were paved. No more muddy streets, ladies!
1919: Dr. Bunyan Stephens served as pastor until 1929. Under his leadership the church campus grew to include the Community Hall on the corner of Duval Street and College Avenue.
1919: The old church building sold for $2,500.
1919: In December, the mortgage for the new church building was burned.
1925: In July, FBCTLH purchased more of the city block including the Gamble House, which became the Church Community House.
1928: April 1: Directory of First Baptist Church, “The Friendly Church.”
1929: Dr. Strother A. Campbell served as pastor until 1934 and was followed by Dr. Waldo E. Wood as Interim Pastor for six months.
1934: Dr. Luther Rice Christie served as pastor until his death of a heart attack in 1939. Under his leadership the BSU House was constructed on the FSCW campus.
1936: Girls Auxiliary (GA) and Royal Ambassadors (RA) first recorded at FBC in a May church bulletin.
1938: The Baptist Student House was constructed on the Florida State College for Women campus.
1939: Vacation Bible School began at FBC on June 20, 1939. The school ran for three weeks. The faculty was trained at a conference in Tallahassee, on May 2nd, provided by the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board of Nashville, Tennessee.
1940: Dr. Pierce S. Ellis became the Pastor and served until 1945 through the years of World War II. He was followed by Dr. A.J. Dickinson, 1945-1946 as Interim Pastor.
1941: The First Baptist Bulletin for December 7, 1941; The Day of Infamy – Pearl Harbor was bombed, and the U.S. entered WWII.
1942: The “Annex” facility was built on church property for FSCW student use.
1945: Immanuel Baptist Church was organized by previous members of FBCTLH.
1946: Dr. Harold G. Sanders became pastor. During his time two morning services were held and broadcast on WTAL.
1946: New Pastorium was purchased at 1507 Marion Avenue.
1946-48: Base hospital at Dale Mabry Field became the Baptist Hospital. All new mothers were required to stay 10 days before leaving the hospital.
1947: The Brotherhood at FBCTLH initiated Boy Scout Troop 100 under Dr. Harold Sanders.
1947, April: University Heights Baptist Mission was established under the guidance of Alphonse Pichard.
1948: FBC rented the WTAL property on Thomasville Road which later became Thomasville Road Baptist Church.
1949: Thomasville Road Baptist Mission property was purchased in July.
1949: On May 29, the ground was broken for the new Duval Wing. View of the entire church before construction.
1949: FBCTLH members of more than 50 years were recognized at the Centennial Celebration.
1950: In May, the Duval wing opened.
1952: A “Stewardship Revival” to raise $300,000 over three years began April 30.
1952: The FBC Bulletin noted Dr. Sanders’ 6th anniversary with a 1 cent stamp for mailing.
1953: In December the first “Living Nativity” was enacted with singing angels on the lawn of the church. Linda Teague and Ginger Mapoles sang in the 1961 portrayal.
1955: Frank Boggs was named the first Minister of Music. He led the choir to perform Handel’s Messiah in the church sanctuary. In 1956 it was moved to Leon High School Auditorium to accommodate more people.
1955: Sunday service began live television programming on WCTV September 18.
1956: Church voted on April 11 to sponsor Haywood Cates Mission and Crawfordville Road Mission.
1956: Ground was broken for the Adams Wing on February 5.
1956: The last Sunday service was held April 8 in the old sanctuary (1915). The State Theatre became the meeting place for worship.
1956: $480,000 construction loan was approved.
1957: The Deaf Ministry began in January by Rev. and Mrs. Reeves C. Dean. Rev. Dean preached every second Sunday to the entire congregation while Mrs. Dean interpreted. It was called the “Silent Department” at the time.
1957: Installation of the pediments on the front of the church and over the Baptistry in the Sanctuary.
1957: The cornerstone was laid for the new church building on July 14. The location is at the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. The contents are listed in the Windows to the Past Church History Book.
1957: A service of dedication for the new sanctuary was held September 29. Among those present were Dr. Robert Strozier, President of FSU, and Gov. and Mrs. Leroy Collins.
1957: An open house was held for the community Sept. 17. Seven stained glass windows were removed from the 1915 church, but only one remains today. It was installed in the Mary Lou Sanders Memorial Chapel. The other six have been “lost.”
1957: The Grace Gray Memorial Carillon was dedicated on November 3. “The Deagan New World Carillon was given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Grace Gray, by her husband, R.A. Gray, Secretary of State, A. D. 1957.”
1959: FBCTLH Annual Vacation Bible School Parade. More than 30 vehicles rallied at Leon High School to begin the parade through all sections of town to announce the upcoming program in the next week. Pictures came from an 8 mm film of the event.
1959: The Haywood Cates Church building was dedicated in December.
1960: The Union Bank and the Columns buildings were purchased as part of the Stewart Property on the corner of Adams and Park.
1961: The Internationals Ministry Bible Class began by Mrs. Hazeltine Maxwell. It started not only the International Ministry but also the Conversational English Classes. Both continue to this day.
1962: The Crawfordville Road Baptist Church building was completed in January. It was later named Crossway Baptist Church.
1962: The Deacons discussed having FBCTLH designated as a fallout shelter due to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
1962: A History of WMU at FBCTLH from 1904 through 1962 was written by Louise Davie Burnett.
1962: Dr. C.A. Roberts became pastor on July 31 and served until he resigned in 1967.
1965: Dr. Roberts went as missionary to Brazil and met Paul Bellington in May.
1966-67: Enough S&H Green stamps were collected by church members to purchase a plane for Paul Bellington’s mission in Brazil.
1966: The Tō Poterion (meaning the cup of blessing) Coffee House opened in the basement of the Columns building.
1968: Paul Bellington, missionary in Brazil, received the Cessna 206 plane purchased through the S&H Green Stamp Campaign at FBCTLH.
1969, September: FBCTLH purchased the Gaines Apartment Building at 111 S. Duval St., in the middle of the block, to complete the ownership of the whole block. The house was removed soon after.
1969: The Duval property was purchased in September. This was located on the corner of Duval and Park behind the Duval Wing, completing ownership of the entire city block.
1968: Dr. Douglas Watterson became pastor and served until he resigned in 1971.
1970: The Union Bank Building was moved from Church property to Apalachee Parkway.
1971: The Columns Building that had housed the To Potarian Coffee Shop and other activities was moved from church property on Adams Street to the northwest corner of Park Avenue and Duval Street.
1972: Dr. Robert MacMillan came to First Baptist Church as pastor and served until his retirement in 1987.
1972: The 30-year mortgage note burning ceremony took place on January 30 with new Pastor Robert McMillan and former Pastor Harold Sanders participating along with other church dignitaries. The mortgage was paid off twelve years before maturity.
1972: Twenty-two young people and six adult sponsors from FBCTLH spent five weeks working with the Papago-Pima Indians on their reservation near Coolidge, AZ. Their task was to teach Vacation Bible School classes at local churches.
1972: Mr. E.C. Allen, a member of the church, gave $500,000 toward the development of the Christian Life Center to be located between Duval and Adams Street along Park Avenue.
1972: The first class of the WEE Ministry – Weekday Early Education began.
1973: Construction began on the Christian Life Center and on November 10, 1974, dedication services were held for the CLC.
1974: On November 10, the 125th Anniversary of the Founding of First Baptist Church was celebrated.
1974: David Humphrey came as Minister of Music and the first Singing Christmas Tree performance was held in December of 1975. He also started the Christmas Eve candlelight service.
1974: The Puppet Ministry for teaching music and the Gospel to children began.
1975: In December, Minister of Music, David Humphrey, directed the first “Singing Christmas Tree.”
1976, July 4: A Bicentennial Worship of God was held in Lewis Park at 11 AM involving six downtown churches to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the United States.
1976: In July, Edward and Vivian Mason were sent as missionaries to Ethiopia.
1981: In February, Dr. Harold G. Sanders was named Pastor Emeritus of FBCTLH.
1981: The Billy Graham Crusade was held in Doak S. Campbell stadium and Dr. Ed Lyon became our Minister of Music.
1982: The first Youth Challenge Bike Trip with Mark Willbanks, Minister to Students, 60 College Students, & 18 Adults biked from Warren, Ohio to Niagara Falls, Canada – 250 miles in four days. This was a Youth Ministry Mission.
1984: FBCTLH dedicated its Mission Church, Morningside Chapel on Pedrick Road. (This was the sixth mission church planted by FBC.)
1985: Preston Odom became Minister of Activities for the CLC, and Carlos Peterson came to be Associate Pastor.
1986: Together We Build – an artist’s conception of the addition of the Chason Building to the FBCTLH complex. The addition was completed and dedicated in October 1987.
1986: Clint Purvis began serving as Minister to Students.
1987: In September, Dr. McMillan announced his retirement. He was honored with a testimonial dinner at the Civic Center and was named Pastor Emeritus of FBC.
1987: The Chason Memorial Educational and Administrative Wing and the Weekday Education Area of the Duval Wing were dedicated on October 18.
1988: Dr. James Chavis, Jr. Began as Pastor on July 3.
1988: The XYZ Choir for Senior Adults began – “Extra Years of Zeal.” The choir later became the First Joy Senior Adult Choir – “Just Older Youth!”
1988: The FBC Women’s Missionary Union created a quilt for the WMU National Centennial. Each square represents part of WMU history. Jackie Perrin directed the group.
1989: Janie Odom began the Intercessory Prayer Ministry – seven days a week for 12 hours a day, church members began interceding for the needs and problems of the church family.
1989: Clint Purvis, Minister to Students, began a Sunday morning Contemporary Worship Service for college students in the CLC.
1990: Steven James became our new pastor to the Deaf and began holding weekly services.
1990: FBCTLH formed a denominational relations committee, whose initial purpose was to study the controversy within the Southern Baptist Convention.
1991: The first report of the denominational relations committee was adopted.
1991: Unity Baptist Church, a joint mission venture by First Baptist, East Hill Baptist, and Fellowship Baptist, was dedicated.
1991: The 30th Anniversary of Literacy Missions including the FBCTLH Conversational English ministry were celebrated.
1992: The destruction of much of South Florida by Hurricane Andrew saw ten FBCTLH volunteers travel to Miami to assist in disaster relief.
1992: In July, the Intercessory Prayer Ministry was organized by Janie Odom with 60 prayer warriors, at the request of pastor Dr. Jim Chavis.
1992: Volunteers from FBCTLH were involved in the first Builders for Christ project which helped build a new Baptist Church in Frankfort, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago).
1993: Dr. Chavis resigned as pastor to direct the Pastoral Ministries Department of the Florida Baptist Convention.
1993: In April, the 35th Anniversary of the Deaf Ministry at First Baptist Church was celebrated. A Deaf Ministry Fellowship is pictured for 1978.
1994: Gerry Garland’s ninety programs of her flannelgraph Bible stories from the Creation through the Rapture were videotaped.
1994: Buffalo Buhler’s Wild West Show & Fall Roundup was held in the fall to usher in the new school year and promotion day in Sunday School.
1994: FBCTLH Celebrated their145th anniversary with a note burning ceremony signifying the debt-free status of the Christian Life Center.
1994: Dr. J. Douglas Dortch Jr. was called to become FBCTLH pastor and served until his resignation in 2011.
1995: The first Tenebrae Service was held. “Tenebrae,” meaning darkness, commemorates the suffering of Christ. The extinguishing of candles, the dying of light, signifies Jesus’ journey to the cross and death. The service ends in silence and darkness.
1995: Rev. Clint Purvis began holding Sunday morning worship for college students at 9:45 AM in the sanctuary with several hundred students in attendance each Sunday.
1996: FBCTLH members joined others in the first Walk for Life event in Tallahassee to raise awareness and funds to support the Women’s Pregnancy Center.
1997: A New Schulmerich Carillon was dedicated to the church to honor Roy and June Rhodes. The Old Schulmerich Carillon system was donated to FBC of Crawfordville.
1997: Rhonda Smith was called to be Minister to Children. ( no picture)
1998: FBCTLH celebrated the 37th year of its Ministry to Internationals at FBCTLH with their annual picnic. Members are from around the world.
1998: The Window to the Past Chronical, compiled by Margaret Strickland Mash and edited by Edith Revell Sederquist, was published and shared with the congregation.
1998: FBCTLH began two traditions: members donating Christmas cards for prison inmates to send to their families and the Shoebox Ministry of Operation Christmas Child.
1998: The first Ring in the Season handbell concert was performed in December.
1999: Operation Tool Box was dedicated April 18. Bob Foster’s special tools used at Builders For Christ missions were donated by wife Martha Foster upon Bob’s death to further that mission work.
1999: FBCTLH Single Adult Ministry partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a house for Lillie & Thomas Jefferson at 1705 Harris St. The house was dedicated Nov. 21, 1999.
1999: FBCTLH Web site www.fbctlh.org was first online Nov. 3.
1999: The contents of the FBCTLH time capsule that was placed in the cornerstone in 1957 were displayed by Charles Walker, along with the items that will be placed in the new time capsule for opening in 2024.
2000: In January the time capsule for the 2024 Dedication Ceremony was installed behind the cornerstone.
2000: E.C. Allen and wife Tillie donate the Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand Piano to FBCTLH for the Sanctuary.
2000: The Dawn McDonald Cooper Memorial Fund was established to support the music ministry at FBC.
2000: The first Lenten Season Worship Around the Park was held on March 19.
2000: The first Dessert Theatre by the FBC Youth Choir was held on May 16. The Youth Choir cookbook “First Flavors” was published and sold to raise funds for their mission and ministry trip.
2001: Lillian Isaacs, FBCTLH member, was honored on March 4 in the morning service for all her work on Literacy Missions. The Lillian Isaacs Endowment Fund was established in 1998 by the WMU.
2001: On September 11 the Terrorist Attacks on U.S. cities occurred.
2002: First Ladies Fall Retreat “Wellspring” FBCTLH ladies met at Dowling Park for a three-day retreat for spiritual growth, fellowship, and fun. Part of the Women’s Ministry started by Jenna Young in 1999.
2002: A wireless listening system was installed in the Sanctuary for those with hearing impairments.
2003: The First Love Community Outreach Ministry began. On Nov. 22, 461 people participated in 34 mission opportunities to serve the needs of our community.
2003: Operation Iraqi Freedom began March 19 to free the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein’s regime of terror. Our FBCTLH family had 37 military personnel serving in that military operation.
2003: Sunday services were changed to include a traditional worship service at 9:30 and a contemporary at 11:00 on June 1. This was later changed to 9:00 and 11:15 with SMBS in between.
2004: The Deaf Ministry Revival Weekend was held Aug. 6-8. It concluded with a worship service in the Chapel, with Carter Bearden from Alpharetta, Ga., speaking on “Maturity of Christ.”
2004: FBCTLH congregation began a seven-week study of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.
2004: The Window to the Past…the Story Continues Chronical was published and shared with congregation. Compiled by Margaret Mash, Charles Walker, and Dr. Douglas Dortch.
2005: FBCTLH First Joy Choir Barber Shop Quartet sings in the March Dessert Theatre Production – Broadway Review.
2007: Celebration of 50 Years of Deaf Ministry at FBCTLH. A reunion of present and former members and teachers in this ministry enjoyed the day while sharing memories.
2008: Penny Folsom was named Minister of Music at FBCTLH. Dr. Dortch welcomed her as the first female in that position.
2008: Four men from FBCTLH began singing as the FBC Chordsmen quartet.
2010: Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Mission. Twelve FBCTLH members traveled to Grassier, Haiti, to assist with cleanup, feeding, helping families, and rebuilding.
2011: Marty and Janice Smith donate a stained glass window in memory of Col. and Mrs. W.T. Powell, Janice’s parents.
2011: The beautiful new mural, The Sermon on the Mount: “A City on a Hill Cannot Be Hid” by artist Frank Murphy was installed in the FBCTLH Welcome Center.
2011, September 18: The new “Welcome Center” was dedicated by Dr. Doug Dortch Jr. A reception was held, and members toured the new facility.
2011 -2013: Rev. Franchot “Fran” Buhler served as Interim Pastor – and during 1993 – 1994.
2012: Covenant Stones -– The Pastor Search Committee was appointed. FBC members entered into a covenant to pray for the PSC and the process. Each person received a stone as a reminder to pray for a positive outcome. On March 10, 2013, Dr. Bill Shiell became the new pastor. The stones were used in this display.
2012: The first “Crescendo” concert was held by the music ministry at FBCTLH.
2013: Dr. William D. Shiell was called as Pastor. He served until 2016.
2013: FBCTLH participated in the first “A Full Summer” event to provide meals for kids over the summer. FBCTLH partnered with St. John’s Episcopal.
2013: FBCTLH began a partnership with Sabal Palm Elementary School to provide classroom volunteers and student support.
2013: “Breakfast In Bethlehem” began as an annual event for families to experience the Story of Jesus while sharing food and fellowship.
2014, March: The FBC Montgomery House Project on California Street ended with the dedication of the house to Gary and Josephine (J. C.) Montgomery.
2014: Life Groups were initiated, involving FBCTLH members in sharing their faith in Christ by building new relationships in small community-based groups.
2015: Rhonda Smith became the new Minister of Pastoral Community, a new position at FBCTLH.
2015: Operation Safe Neighborhood began with FBCTLH, other churches, TPD, LCSO, and local officials.
2015: FBCTLH hosted the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida’s annual meeting in May.
2015: “The Longest Table” event began. FBCTLH members served on the task force to plan and host this event on Park Avenue.
2015: Church members Caleb and Terrah Mello followed God’s call to Knysna, South Africa, as missionaries. FBCTLH is their sending church.
2015: The FBCTLH Conversational English Program and International Ministry celebrated directors Marty and Janice Smith on their retirement.
2016, January: Dr. Bill Shiell announces his resignation to accept a call to the Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago. Rev. Josh Hall became the Interim Pastor.
2016: The Hope for Haiti Music Camp Fundraiser was hosted by Janet Ray at FBCTLH. Proceeds provided operational funding for the camps held at the Christian University of North Haiti.
2016: FBCTLH established an “on-line giving” option for church members.
2017: FBCTLH hosted the summer “Camp in the “City,” a week-long Christian camp for grades K-5 staffed by Christian college students.
2017: FBCTLH members participated in an ongoing ministry to the homeless by serving hot meals and providing cold night shelters in conjunction with other churches and groups.
2017: Meal and More – began as a small group ministry for FBCTLH ladies for fellowship, food, and service.
2017: Concert for Peace was hosted by FBCTLH in a joint concert with the FAMU Concert Choir to raise money for disaster relief.
2017: Deaf Ministry Celebration of the 60th Anniversary at FBCTLH. This Ministry has a far reaching impact across the country. In the “Diamond Jubilee” year of its existence, it is viewed as a gem to all of the current and former members in their quest to learn and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2018: FBCTLH voted to extend a call to Dr. Gary L. Shultz to become the next Senior Pastor. His first sermon was on July 15, 2018.
2018: FBCTLH members volunteered for the Florida Baptist Disaster Relief effort for victims of Hurricane Michael, a category 5 hurricane that struck the Florida Panhandle.
2019: The FBCTLH Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra provide music for the Christmas Musical “He Is Worthy.” The first choir picture is dated 1954 and the first budget is shown in 1912.
2020, December 13: During the COVID-19 Pandemic, to insure safety, the Christmas concert was held outside on Park Avenue as “An Open Air Christmas” with a live nativity.
2021: The 35th Anniversary Disciple Now Retreat was held with theme of Alive & Free. Clint Purvis began this weekend ministry when he became Youth Minister in 1986.
2021: FBCTLH Youth Choir Summer Mission Tour to New Orleans, LA. The youth helped in providing food for the community, made repairs, played games with children, and performed concerts.
2022: Church members volunteered at ECHO during the First Love mission. ECHO helps those in need and FBCTLH participates in the ECHO Food Drive each year by distributing bags for collection of food items.
2022: Downtown Fitness – Using Sports as an Effective Outreach Tool for Christ. Fifty-one years of building the mind, body, and spirit of FBCTLH members.
2023, January: FBCTLH Women On Mission assemble Valentine’s Bags for foster children with One More Child.
2023: FBCTLH members partnered with Graffiti 2 Ministries in NYC to help during a summer program for underserved youth in the community.
2023: “Crescendo” is the Italian word for “growing,” and that is why the concert series bears this name. It began in 2012 and has grown significantly demonstrating the talents of the college music students at FBCTLH.
2023: In October, FBCTLH had its 20th First Love event. The purpose of this community focused ministry is to fill the needs of local organizations and individuals through the volunteer efforts of FBCTLH members.
2023: FBCTLH sent a vision team to Knysna, South Africa, to better understand Knysna Hope and plan a 2024 mission trip in support of our missionaries. Caleb and Terrah Mello have served there since 2015.
2023: FBCTLH surpassed their $30,000 goal for the Lottie Moon Offering. This year $35,000 was given.
2024: The time capsule from 1999 located behind the cornerstone is to be opened.
2024: The Florida Baptist Historical Society awarded the 175th Anniversary Certificate of Recognition to FBCTLH.
2024: FBCTLH’s Oldest Member this year is Martha Foster at age 106.
2024: FBCTLH Heritage Center Team reaches a milestone in the Center development.
2024: A historical marker commemorating “The First Baptist Church of Tallahassee” and its 175 years of Christian Witnessing was installed in a place of honor in front of the church.