Our History
At 3 P.M. on Sunday Afternoon, March 28, 1920, a number of Baptists met for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church in Lake Worth.
By January, 1921 the membership had purchased a lot for a church home at the corner of 2nd Avenue South and L street for the cost of $750.00.
On March 23,1924 a $20,000 building was dedicated. At the dedication of the church there were 40 members.
In 1928 a severe hurricane damaged the church building and demolished the stained glass windows.
In 1939 work was started on a Christian education annex and was completed sometime later at an approximate cost of $7,000.
In 1945 after the close of World War II, work was begun on another Sunday School Annex. The church voted to name the annex upon completion The Marion U. Reid Memorial Sunday School Building in memory of Lt. Marion U. Reid who gave his life in the service of his country. Marion Reid was the son of the Pastor, Rev. U. E. Reid.
In December 1957 the present Sanctuary was dedicated. The building and furnishings cost $280,500.
On October 24, 1965 the present Educational Building was dedicated. The total cost, including the paving of the parking lot, was $292,777.
By 1970 Church membership was 1373.
Some of the old timers remember things like - - Two revivals every year with emphasis on Packing the Pews, Training Union every Sunday evening prior to the evening service, Sword Drills, Sunbeams and YWA. On Mother's Day all the ladies wore a corsage with red indicating their mother was alive and white indicating their mother had passed away. Most mothers now prefer Hershey Bars over corsages! In their day, these were all vital ministries.
In 1997, upon the return of Pastor Mathews, time had taken its toll on the existing facilities. The church rose up and responded to the challenge and remodeled both the sanctuary and the upper floors of the education building.
In September 2004 two major hurricanes struck the area damaging both the educational building and the sanctuary. The damage was so great worship services were held in the Fellowship Hall.
In 2007 Pastor Mathews announced his retirement from the pastorate and the church called Brent Myers to serve as Senior Pastor beginning in January of 2008.
During the 85+ years of our history, the church has been blessed with fifteen men serving as pastor. Pastor Mathews has led the church on two occasions. The pastors were: Rev. Fred E. Britten, Rev. Oscar B. Harris, Rev. W.P. Wheeler, Rev. H. C. Compton, Rev. A.B. Cannady, Rev. U.E. Reid, Rev. Richard A. Kelly, Dr. T. Emerson Wortham, Rev. J.C. Walters, Rev. DeWitt Mathews, Rev. Patrick McCurdy, Rev. Herb Hester, Rev. Steve Turner, Rev. DeWitt Mathews, and Rev. Brent Myers.
All this and more has been accomplished without going into debt. God has truly blessed First Baptist.
A current worship song by Christ Tomlin rings true for First Baptist Church of Lake Worth: You (God) are God of THIS city; and greater things are still to be done!
“Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.” Psalm 90:1-2
* Church history complied by Ray Davis, Deacon, First Baptist Church, Lake Worth, Florida
At 3 P.M. on Sunday Afternoon, March 28, 1920, a number of Baptists met for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church in Lake Worth.
By January, 1921 the membership had purchased a lot for a church home at the corner of 2nd Avenue South and L street for the cost of $750.00.
On March 23,1924 a $20,000 building was dedicated. At the dedication of the church there were 40 members.
In 1928 a severe hurricane damaged the church building and demolished the stained glass windows.
In 1939 work was started on a Christian education annex and was completed sometime later at an approximate cost of $7,000.
In 1945 after the close of World War II, work was begun on another Sunday School Annex. The church voted to name the annex upon completion The Marion U. Reid Memorial Sunday School Building in memory of Lt. Marion U. Reid who gave his life in the service of his country. Marion Reid was the son of the Pastor, Rev. U. E. Reid.
In December 1957 the present Sanctuary was dedicated. The building and furnishings cost $280,500.
On October 24, 1965 the present Educational Building was dedicated. The total cost, including the paving of the parking lot, was $292,777.
By 1970 Church membership was 1373.
Some of the old timers remember things like - - Two revivals every year with emphasis on Packing the Pews, Training Union every Sunday evening prior to the evening service, Sword Drills, Sunbeams and YWA. On Mother's Day all the ladies wore a corsage with red indicating their mother was alive and white indicating their mother had passed away. Most mothers now prefer Hershey Bars over corsages! In their day, these were all vital ministries.
In 1997, upon the return of Pastor Mathews, time had taken its toll on the existing facilities. The church rose up and responded to the challenge and remodeled both the sanctuary and the upper floors of the education building.
In September 2004 two major hurricanes struck the area damaging both the educational building and the sanctuary. The damage was so great worship services were held in the Fellowship Hall.
In 2007 Pastor Mathews announced his retirement from the pastorate and the church called Brent Myers to serve as Senior Pastor beginning in January of 2008.
During the 85+ years of our history, the church has been blessed with fifteen men serving as pastor. Pastor Mathews has led the church on two occasions. The pastors were: Rev. Fred E. Britten, Rev. Oscar B. Harris, Rev. W.P. Wheeler, Rev. H. C. Compton, Rev. A.B. Cannady, Rev. U.E. Reid, Rev. Richard A. Kelly, Dr. T. Emerson Wortham, Rev. J.C. Walters, Rev. DeWitt Mathews, Rev. Patrick McCurdy, Rev. Herb Hester, Rev. Steve Turner, Rev. DeWitt Mathews, and Rev. Brent Myers.
All this and more has been accomplished without going into debt. God has truly blessed First Baptist.
A current worship song by Christ Tomlin rings true for First Baptist Church of Lake Worth: You (God) are God of THIS city; and greater things are still to be done!
“Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.” Psalm 90:1-2
* Church history complied by Ray Davis, Deacon, First Baptist Church, Lake Worth, Florida