First Baptist Winter Haven started in a schoolhouse in the summer of 1885. Mrs. S.A. Crosier, a member of Thirty-Third Street Baptist Church, New York City, living in Winter Haven, raised funds from her home church in New York to begin a Baptist work in Florida.
On November 22, 1885, the First (Missionary) Baptist Church of Winter Haven was organized with five charter members: Mrs. Eliza J. Pierpont, Walter J. Robinson, Mrs. Annie Robinson, P.S. Crosier and Mrs. S.A. Crosier. The Rev. P.S. Crosier was the church's first pastor. In 1886 the church was received into the South Florida Baptist Association. The first church was erected at the site of Third Street and Central Avenue S.W. for the sum of $700.
The year 1916 saw the church relocate to the present site of Second Street and Central Avenue, building a new sanctuary. In 1918 the church called Dr. J. Harrison Griffin as pastor. He served 20 years as pastor of First Baptist Church.
In 1948, Dr. James P. Rodgers was called as pastor of First Baptist Church. During his pastorate, the church voted to build the "Griffin Educational Building" and the Lake Shipp mission was started. On January 1, 1956, Lake Shipp Chapel was organized into Lake Shipp Baptist Church.
In September 1961, First Baptist Church broke ground for a new S.E. Chapel, and in February 1962 this chapel was constituted into the Parkland Baptist Church. In 1963 the church voted to build a new sanctuary located at the corner of Second and Central Avenue. Groundbreaking for this building was July 14, 1963. This is the present sanctuary.
First Baptist is still a vibrant and growing congregation. There are ministries for all ages. From children's musicals to trips and programs for senior adults, First Baptist Church strives to be a lighthouse for the city of Winter Haven and the surrounding communities.To God be the glory; great things he has done and continues to do through the people of First Baptist Church Winter Haven, Florida.
On November 22, 1885, the First (Missionary) Baptist Church of Winter Haven was organized with five charter members: Mrs. Eliza J. Pierpont, Walter J. Robinson, Mrs. Annie Robinson, P.S. Crosier and Mrs. S.A. Crosier. The Rev. P.S. Crosier was the church's first pastor. In 1886 the church was received into the South Florida Baptist Association. The first church was erected at the site of Third Street and Central Avenue S.W. for the sum of $700.
The year 1916 saw the church relocate to the present site of Second Street and Central Avenue, building a new sanctuary. In 1918 the church called Dr. J. Harrison Griffin as pastor. He served 20 years as pastor of First Baptist Church.
In 1948, Dr. James P. Rodgers was called as pastor of First Baptist Church. During his pastorate, the church voted to build the "Griffin Educational Building" and the Lake Shipp mission was started. On January 1, 1956, Lake Shipp Chapel was organized into Lake Shipp Baptist Church.
In September 1961, First Baptist Church broke ground for a new S.E. Chapel, and in February 1962 this chapel was constituted into the Parkland Baptist Church. In 1963 the church voted to build a new sanctuary located at the corner of Second and Central Avenue. Groundbreaking for this building was July 14, 1963. This is the present sanctuary.
First Baptist is still a vibrant and growing congregation. There are ministries for all ages. From children's musicals to trips and programs for senior adults, First Baptist Church strives to be a lighthouse for the city of Winter Haven and the surrounding communities.To God be the glory; great things he has done and continues to do through the people of First Baptist Church Winter Haven, Florida.