Our History

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. On March 23,1924 a $20,000 building was dedicated. At the dedication of the church there were 40 members.

4. In 1928 a severe hurricane damaged the church building and demolished the stained glass windows.

5. In 1939 work was started on a Christian education annex and was completed sometime later at an approximate cost of $7,000.

6. 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.
7. In December 1957 the present Sanctuary was dedicated. The building and furnishings cost $280,500.

8. By 1960 total church property was valued at $400,000.

9. On October 24, 1965 the present Educational Building was dedicated. The total cost, including the paving of the parking lot, was $292,777.

10. By 1970 the total value of all church property was $799,000. Church membership was 1373.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. In 1997 when Pastor Mathews and Rebecca returned to lead the church, time had taken its toll on our facilities. During the last seven years the church has expanded and landscaped the parking lot at a cost of $235,634, replaced the roof on the educational building and is in the process of replacing the roof on the sanctuary, remodeled the 3rd floor in the Educational Building at a cost of $24,000, purchased the apartment building just north of the Educational Building at a cost of $150,000, purchased 3 vans for approx $60,000, and carpeted the sanctuary. All this and more has been accomplished without going into debt. God has truly blessed First Baptist.

14. Unfortunately, in September 2004 two major hurricanes struck the area damaging both the educational building and the sanctuary. The damage was so great that as of this date the sanctuary building cannot be used and it will be sometime before worship services can again be held in the sanctuary. While the total cost of the damages have yet to be determined, the cost of repair and replacement is significant. We thank God that we have excellent insurance and most of the repairs will be made with little cost to the church. The worship & praises will continually go forth from this place.

15. 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