First Baptist Church of Petersburg began with a vision from the Portsmouth Association in 1810. By 1813, plans were set in motion to build a Baptist meeting house, and with the help of Rev. Richard Dabbs, an itinerant preacher, a brick building was constructed on North Market Street.
Starting with just 13 members in 1817, this humble congregation laid the foundation for the thriving church community we are blessed to have today.
In 1819, Market Street Baptist Church officially became a member of the Portsmouth Association and played a key role in establishing the first city-wide Sunday School in Petersburg. By 1824, the Sunday School was so well-regarded that the Marquis de Lafayette was welcomed by its children during his visit. That same year, Rev. Fielding Bell became the church’s first regular pastor, serving a congregation of 15 until 1828.
In 1829, Rev. Gilbert Mason was appointed pastor by the Virginia Baptist General Association. In 1839, after the city began grading Market Street, the church relocated to its new home at the corner of Market and High Streets.
In 1854, a group of members from Market Street Baptist Church branched off to form Byrne Street Baptist Church, which later became Second Baptist Church of Petersburg. Around the same time, plans were made to relocate Market Street Baptist Church once again.
A new site on West Washington Street was chosen, and construction began in 1856.
On January 24, 1858, the new building was dedicated, and the church adopted its current name, First Baptist Church.
On July 31, 1865, just seven years after the dedication of First Baptist Church at its new location, the church spire was struck by lightning, leaving the building in ruins—except for the four exterior walls. Under the leadership of Rev. Thomas H. Pritchard, the congregation temporarily worshiped at Old Fellows Hall on Sycamore Street.
As the church was rebuilt between 1868 and 1875, its congregation flourished, doubling from 209 to 427 members. In 1878, the growing church purchased a chapel on West Washington Street and established a mission Sunday School. By March 1882, 42 members of First Baptist branched out to form West End Baptist Church. During this time, the Baptist General Association's Sunday School and Bible Board relocated to Petersburg, with the First Baptist pastor serving as board president until 1908.
In 1912, First Baptist proudly hosted the annual state meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
Around 1925, plans were made to construct the current building where our congregation worships today. Over the next few years, significant changes occurred, including the construction of a Sunday School Annex and the purchase of a parsonage. Under the leadership of Dr. Robert M. Green, groundbreaking for the new building took place on Easter Sunday in 1928.
Despite delays caused by the Great Depression, the elegant new church was completed and dedicated on May 31, 1931, at a cost of $200,000, with a growing membership of 843.
First Baptist continued to make a meaningful impact in the community over the years. In 1947, the church helped establish the Negro Baptist Children's Home in Chesterfield County, and in 1955, a new parsonage was built on Westover Avenue in the Walnut Hill area.
The sanctuary underwent a complete remodel in 1958, and the nurseries were renovated in 1965.
Rev. Gilbert Mason: 1829-1833
Rev. Wm. Southwood: 1834-1835
Rev. Wm. Snow: 1836
Rev. Wm. Southwood: 1837-1839
Rev. J.P. Tustin: 1840-1842
Rev. J.R. Scott: 1842-1844
Rev. Wm. H. Jordan: 1844-1846
Rev. C.B. Jennett: 1854-1863
Rev. Thomas Prichard: 1865-1868
Dr. W.E. Hatcher: 1868-1875
Dr. T.T. Eaton: 1875-1881
Dr. E.C. Dargan: 1881-1886
Rev. Roland R. Acree: 1887-1892
Dr. H.W. Battle: 1892-1903
Rev. W. Rand Forder: 2003-2006
Rev. Joseph Womack: 2006-2007
Rev. Robert Byrd Dawson: 2007-Present