First Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1914. A meeting was called by the late Rev. J.S. Bell with a consecrated few, five men and two women: the late Bro. Andrew Lightfoot, Bro. John Lattice, Bro. Cleveland Burton, Bro. W.W. Love, Bro. Lee Dowels, and Sis. Lena Heard and Sis. Clara Thornton. The first worship service was held in an old business house near Sixth Street. Later, in 1915, one lot was purchased at the present location, 819 First Avenue South (now known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue). A small building was constructed in 1916 under the pastorate of Rev. D. A. Jones. In July 1916 a new church was under construction and completed in the spring of 1917. Electric lights were installed in 1919.

 

In 1919, Rev. D. A. Jones was called to another church. He was followed by 11 other pastors, the last of whom was the Rev. L.G. Rubin. For a while the church had no pastor, although there was a minister to preach every Sunday. The Rev. Frank Mims Johnson came one of those Sunday mornings, preached and gave the membership a needed spiritual uplifting. The church gave the late Bro. James H. Williams (church clerk) permission to invite Rev. Johnson back again. In April 1946, Rev Johnson was recommended to the congregation by the late Rev. J.F. Sargent and the Rev. F. A. Allen. In the same year, Rev. Johnson accepted the invitation and the church's blessing of a faithful pastor began.

 

One year after Rev. Johnson became pastor, on April 16th and 17th, the church building was destroyed by the "Great Texas City Disaster". The neighboring church, Galilee United Methodist, permitted the membership to hold evening worship in their church.

Under the pastorate of Rev. Johnson, the church continued grew numerically, spiritually and financially. He proved to be one of God's spirit-filled servants. He was a pastor, leader, teacher, and a songster. A familiar quote of Pastor Johnson’s was "Take a little bit of I, and a great part of me, and place them in the hands of God, who made salvation free. If you find the giving part won't do what must be done, then give more like the Father, who gave his only Son."

 

When remembering the House of God of long ago when Rev. Johnson first came, it was a house to praise God in but there was no carpet on the floor, there were push up windows for air with a fan in the hand, gas heaters in the winter, no water fountains or cooler for ice. There was not even a pool in which to baptize. But we went down to the bay and many were baptized.

In 1957, the parsonage was moved and renovated. It is now located at 718 East M. L. King Jr. Avenue. The property was purchased from the George Austin Family. The church purchased property on the east side of the church from the McCloud and Pointer families in order to build and provide fenced in parking. Across the street from the church, property was purchased from the Wisby family. A house is enclosed with the fenced parking lot. Property was also purchased in West Texas City for future use. All of this was accomplished under the pastorate of Rev. F. M. Johnson. In November of 1957 the cornerstone was laid by Pride of Texas City Lodge #193 F&A Masons. On June 2, 1968, the mortgage for First Missionary Baptist Church was burned in the ceremony.

 

Fifteen ministers have confessed their calling to the Gospel under Pastor Johnson; five have been ordained for Pastorate.

Additions have been made to the church since 1958 such as a new fellowship Hall, a picture room, a well-equipped kitchen, beautiful windows, outdoor carpets, three church vans and guard railing for seniors.

 

Congratulations are due to Pastor F. M. Johnson for 58 years of full leadership. The Lord called his faithful servant home on June 12, 2004, after a short illness.

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First Missionary Baptist Church was without a pastor for a year and a half after the death of Pastor Johnson. Rev. A.L. Bell came in March 2006 and served the membership with much needed sermons, spiritual guidance and leadership. Pastor Bell was officially installed on July 16, 2006.

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Under the pastorate of Rev. Bell, the church has continued to grow numerically, spiritually and financially. A new church van, sound/DVD system and room, central heating unit and fellowship hall dedicated to the late Rev. F.M. Johnson have been added to the church. Pastor Bell has formed several ministries to serve the congregation at First Missionary Baptist Church. He instituted the New Membership Orientation Class to familiarize new members with the church’s history, pastoral policies, church ministries, leaders and services. The Greeter’s ministry was created to welcome visitors and assist other ministries and the congregation in various capacities. The Dollar for a Scholar program was established to promote monetary contributions to church members seeking higher education. The Adult and Youth Praise Dance Teams and The Young Men’s Drill Teams were structured to demonstrate praise and worship in the form of dance and march respectively. Faith and Finance classes were implemented to instruct and guide members in their spiritual giving. B.I.D. Ministry is designed for single people that have never been married, divorced or widowed. This ministry is to encourage Christian single adults to be a witness for Christ while living a single life. A.I.D. ministry is designed to inform inspire and nurture marriages through biblical principle between (male/female) husband and wife. Pastor Bell believes that Christians should be busy for the Lord. This belief led him to launch the M-28 Street Ministry, M-25 and Wednesday Night Live services to reach and teach on days other than Sunday. Other ministries that have been established under the leadership of Pastor Bell are the New Revelation Choir, the Sons and Daughters of the King, the Nurses Ministry, the Tribes and the reinstatement of the Junior Mission. A monthly newsletter and annual church picnic have been created and two ministers have joined the FMBC family.

 

Pastor Bell often says that we are “First Missionary Baptist Church, on the move, not First Stationary Baptist Church,” making it clear that mission means to be on the move. It is with this spirit and this vision that First Missionary Baptist Church purchased 6.5 acres of land at 2120 36th Avenue N. and moved into our new 13,000 square foot worship facility. On January 13, 2013 a new cornerstone was installed into the new facility. On January 30, 2017 the old worship center and parsonage was sold. In December 2019 the West Texas City property was sold. The corner stones from these properties were relocated to our new worship center.

 

We thank God for the years we have had thus far in our new worship center. However, we had to close our worship facility March 2019 to December 2021 due to Covid pandemic. During this period God continued to bless FMBC. Pastor Bell organized the online ministry so our members could continue to hear the word of God. Prior to the church re-opening in December a Covid committee was developed. This group helped implement ideas to open the church in a safe manner, safe seating 6 feet apart, hand sanitizers were installed. Our Social Media Ministry has helped us to reach not only our members but others around the world.

 

 On July 14,2023, First Missionary Baptist Church was paid off in full after only 10 years.  Praise the Lord!!! Now we plan on expanding 

the church during phase 2.

 

To God be the Glory for all the Things He Has Done!!

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                                                                                                                                          First Missionary Baptist Church                                                                                                                                                                     Raymond Woodkins, Clerk

                                                                                                                                          Rev. A.L. Bell, Pastor